Maintainence day for the workbench's top

[steven c newman]

Well, while adding some dog holes to the bench top, got to looking AT the top itself. Been over a year of use, and abuse. Might be time to get it looking "spiffy" again? Got the top cleared off, and even that took a while. Then the wood bodied Jack planes went to work
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Those legs come up through the top, so there is end grain going on, as well. Tool well filled up fast. Got thing about flat, needed to level the "playing field" as well
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So an iron #6 small jointer went at at. Then a smoother to, well, smooth things out
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Might work on that Crochet later, as well. Ok, renewed top was now bare wood. Happened to have some SMELLY BLO handy, and a brush. Gave the top a good coat, and also added two more dog holes
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Might be good for another year, or so?

[Chris Hachet]

Amazingly enough, I have done some work on this bench...it works pretty darned good.

Hopefully it says around, i will need another set of hands with a couple of projects.

[Winton Applegate]

Can a Neander have his membership revoked for using a "power" washer and drier ? :p

What kind of wood is in the bench top and in the legs ?
What is the history of the bench ? Did you make it or come upon it ?
Did you go for really flat or not so much ?

[steven c newman]

Washer & dryer are the wife's, not mine
Wood is Pine, that was found in a dumpster. Boards USED to be part of a waterbed's frame
Took me about one sunny Sunday afternoon to build it. The vise and Crochet came after the bench was in the shop.

Flat as the planes could get it. Not too worried about "perfect" flatness. Just so parts do not rock while on the bench. Gets a bit annoying when they move around like that...

Haven't decided IF I am going to add a second row of dog holes, yet. Might be on the lookout for more dogs, too...

[Tom Stenzel]

Steve, after looking at the washer and dryer in the back of picture #1, I will never ever complain about a lack of space again. Getting it done with what you have - You da man!

-Tom

[Jim Matthews]

Had a crochet on my first bench and was forever catching my pants on it.

I saw a removable version, using a bedframe bracket.
That made sense - it was assembled into position and
the planing forces made it tighter in use.

When it was no longer needed, a mallet was used to take it off.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Images/products/600/127456.jpg?rand=877343226

[Thomas Schneider]

Had a crochet on my first bench and was forever catching my pants on it.

I saw a removable version, using a bedframe bracket.
That made sense - it was assembled into position and
the planing forces made it tighter in use.



When it was no longer needed, a mallet was used to take it off.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Images/products/600/127456.jpg?rand=877343226

I love when people think outside the box! Great idea!

[Jim Koepke]

Might be on the lookout for more dogs, too...

I recall buying a pack of these many years ago at a hardware store. My old workmate still gets some use at times.

The other answer is to make your own. Here is a post on how mine were made:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?207672-Pop-Up-Round-Dogs

A few other members posted their home brewed doggies.

jtk

[Winton Applegate]

Washer & dryer are the wife's, not mine
Good save !

Good useful bench.

[Jim Matthews]

Not an original - I saw it somewhere and thought it was clever.

I'm an advocate of permanently mounting a Moxxon vise where most
have either a leg vise or crochet mounted. I don't like having
a handle below belt level in my shop.

I'm clumsy and find them with my pockets.