The Next "Next" Workbench

[glenn bradley]

Long ago and far away I posted a thread on my "next" workbench. I called it that because I knew it wasn't my last workbench. This one isn't the last one either (I don't think) but, I have learned enough in the last few years to make a significant stride toward the bench that I may eventually make as my "final" workbench.

A workbench is a fairly personal thing. Despite all the books (there are some really good one out there) about workbenches, no one can really tell you, or me, what will work best for them. It is a learning process as, when it comes to this craft, we sometimes end up far from where we thought we might. So here is my third step in the evolution of what works for me. Perhaps some of the ideas will work for others or spark ideas to ponder while designing your own.

318488318487318489

The top is 3" thick

[Andrew Hughes]

Looks good Glenn,
I like the twin handled vise,it's got me thinking how much longer I can put up with my single handle one that racks.
Is that the corner of your old bench trying to Sneek in the pic?

[glenn bradley]

Thanks Andrew. The twin screw has been waiting patiently for a couple of years for me to make a new bench :rolleyes:. The fact that it doesn't rack let's me do things like this:

318496

Which wouldv'e com in handy a few times in the past.


Is that the corner of your old bench trying to Sneek in the pic?

Yes, the build on it is here (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?57879-The-quot-Next-quot-Workbench-Part-1).

[Andrew Hughes]

Cool two benches are better than one,Since you replied to me I guess I'm not on your block list.I just found out yesterday about the SMC talk to hand tool.:)

[glenn bradley]

Ah, I forgot to mention that my old bench will going to a woodworker down in the San Diego area. I would love to have a second bench but, if I kept the old one I wouldn't have any room to build anything :D. This is all part of a larger plan that includes my recently completed outfeed / assembly table. (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?230825-Tablesaw-Outfeed-Assembly-Table-Drawer-Unit)

[Brian Tymchak]

Nice bench Glenn! What is the wide apron on the right end of the bench for?

[glenn bradley]

Nice bench Glenn! What is the wide apron on the right end of the bench for?

Despite having done a decent job of determining what I do with a bench, the end vise was still in question. The wide apron at the end will allow for another twin screw in that position but, the jury is still out. I may not have a vise there at all, may use a smaller vise for tensioning against dog holes along the front edge or may have just dog holes and use things like stops, a Wonder Pup and holddowns in that area. I'll get a handle on this after working with the front twin screw for awhile. My logic was that it was easier to add the wide apron now and drill or cut material away if I go another way.

[glenn bradley]

And after only 2 years of not noticing I didn't have an end vise . . . I finally noticed and added one.

363136

Gotta go out and see if I can find some more dog holes . . .