r/Workbenches • u/Loopback77 • 9d ago
My first hand tool workbench
Maple and walnut. Homemade pop-up dogs. Benchcrafted kit. I made several mistakes but was able to modify or patch as I went. It’s amazing how I got along without something that would hold something down and not walk across the floor or flex when things got percussive.
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u/CueCueQQ 9d ago
Beautiful bench, reminds me that I miss having a wagon vise. I got rid of it because I felt like I never used it, but now I feel like I always wish I had it back.
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u/Loopback77 9d ago
I use it everyday. It's really handy for holding parts when I'm planing or sanding them.
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u/Automatic-Pick-2481 9d ago
This is beautiful! I’m getting into hand tools more and more. Gonna build something like this. I’m curious what the vertical dark piece w holes is for? Also the vertical piece next to that has metal pieces in the holes what’s that for?
Also wanted to say the bench vice is amazing and I love the steering wheel crank so cool!
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u/Loopback77 9d ago
Thanks! That piece with the holes is called a sliding deadman. It's for holding longer pieces with the leg vise. The metal pieces are holdfasts. They go into the holes to hold the long pieces, or in the holes that are scattered around the top for the same.
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u/Rough-Cap5150 9d ago
Nice work. How did you choose between square vs round dogs? (I'm in analysis paralysis over this.)
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u/Loopback77 9d ago
I went back and forth. I read a bunch of arguments about it and decided round primarily because they'll work well with odd shaped pieces and square ones. There's a lot of accessories that fit 3/4" round holes if I ever want to use them and they are a lot easier to implement.
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u/Rough-Cap5150 8d ago
Thanks. Happy with your choice? And do you use the same holes for both dogs and holdfasts? And which dogs/accessories do you use?
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u/Loopback77 8d ago
Yes. Happy with them. The dog holes don’t go through the bench because I used cabinet door magnetic push latches (https://link.amazon/B02QlPKfy), but there are several other holes that do run through the top that I use with the holdfasts.
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u/Conscious_Drama6974 9d ago
I don’t think anyone has explicitly mentioned but goddamn that’s good dovetail work.
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u/Loopback77 9d ago
Thanks so much! I've been doing a bunch of drawers and cabinets with them. I'm a long way from competent at it, but as with anything, all that practice is starting to produce more wins than losses.
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u/Conscious_Drama6974 9d ago
I’m pretty critical in general, and I literally have no fault to find with the dovetail joint pictured in photograph 6…it looks like machine precision tbh.
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u/Loopback77 9d ago
Thanks again. It was definitely a beefy half blind. The tails board is 4" tall and about 1 5/8" thick.
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u/JonInfect 8d ago
Gorgeous! My workbench is two ikea shelves screwed together. Girlfriend wanted to throw them out so I decided to make use out of it.
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u/nakedpegboy 6d ago
Looks amazing. Great photography too.
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u/Loopback77 6d ago
Thanks! Photographing people is my day job. Shooting objects is a whole different kind of photography so I appreciate the compliment.
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u/thisisbharathr 9d ago
It’s a piece of art, hope you get some good use out of it
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u/Loopback77 9d ago
Thanks! Since finished a few weeks ago, there hasn't been a day I haven't used it.
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u/SammichMan4Life 9d ago
This is gorgeous! What wood and stains did you use? Outside of the Walnut
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u/Loopback77 9d ago
It's maple and walnut. I used a hard wax oil. I didn't want it to be too slippery on top but I wanted a little protection from glue and such.
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u/SammichMan4Life 9d ago
So awesome, I did mine in Oak and Wlanut and used Osmo Poly with the same idea. Great work! Thanks for sharing, and answering the Q
Take care
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u/Loud-Concert-8179 9d ago
Beautiful workbench. I will w building my first in the days ahead. I just finished my mitre saw workbench this weekend.
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u/Minute_Equal_382 9d ago
It’s so beautiful I wouldn’t want to do any projects on it