Dan Case LR
02-18-2012, 10:47 PM
My new bench built around a Noden Adjust-A-Bench leg set is finally done, and I decided I needed to take a few pictures while it still looks pretty.
The Bench top is roughly 30" x 60", 2 1/4" thick, three layers of 3/4" MDF with a Maple skirt. The vise is a 10" Jorgensen quick-release (41012) with the inner jaw buried in the bench skirt. The stretchers are also Maple, made from the same board as the skirt. Finish is BLO and wax; I stopped after four coats on the MDF (I think that stuff would suck up a 55 gallon drum if you'd let it, just like a dog who'll eat until the bowl is empty or he explodes, whichever happens first.)
The Adjust-A-Bench comes with lags for attaching the benchtop, but I've never been a big fan of lags in MDF. The legs are through-bolted to the top, with the bolts countersunk and the holes plugged with hardwood dowels. The vise is also through-bolted and plugged in the same way. If you notice a couple of light-colored blotches on one end, those are filled-in minor gouges in the top resulting from trying to trim the dowels with a dull chisel. Shoulda known better. Ordered a WS3000 later that day. :)
I LOVE the height adjustment of the Noden system. The pictures show the bench at it's shortest (28 1/2") and tallest (45 1/4) heights. It has Noden's 28" caster set, and the double-locking wheels will stabilize the bench well enough for many purposes. For serious planing and other heavier use, a few turns of the caster bolts raise them completely off the floor and the bench is rock-solid.
If I have any complaints, it's that the end with the vise weighs a ton and is therefore a little more work when height-adjusting. The weight is good, however--until my back is tired and I need to change height. I'll get over it! :)
D.
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The Bench top is roughly 30" x 60", 2 1/4" thick, three layers of 3/4" MDF with a Maple skirt. The vise is a 10" Jorgensen quick-release (41012) with the inner jaw buried in the bench skirt. The stretchers are also Maple, made from the same board as the skirt. Finish is BLO and wax; I stopped after four coats on the MDF (I think that stuff would suck up a 55 gallon drum if you'd let it, just like a dog who'll eat until the bowl is empty or he explodes, whichever happens first.)
The Adjust-A-Bench comes with lags for attaching the benchtop, but I've never been a big fan of lags in MDF. The legs are through-bolted to the top, with the bolts countersunk and the holes plugged with hardwood dowels. The vise is also through-bolted and plugged in the same way. If you notice a couple of light-colored blotches on one end, those are filled-in minor gouges in the top resulting from trying to trim the dowels with a dull chisel. Shoulda known better. Ordered a WS3000 later that day. :)
I LOVE the height adjustment of the Noden system. The pictures show the bench at it's shortest (28 1/2") and tallest (45 1/4) heights. It has Noden's 28" caster set, and the double-locking wheels will stabilize the bench well enough for many purposes. For serious planing and other heavier use, a few turns of the caster bolts raise them completely off the floor and the bench is rock-solid.
If I have any complaints, it's that the end with the vise weighs a ton and is therefore a little more work when height-adjusting. The weight is good, however--until my back is tired and I need to change height. I'll get over it! :)
D.
224217224218