Obscenely pleased with myself - bench update

[Dale Murray]

I have not regularly posted updates for my bench build as I am using power tools from time to time. The past few days, however, have been all hand tools minus the shop vac used to clean up.

After flattening my top using a router sled followed by #8 and #4-1/2 planes I needed to make the sides square to the top, true, and square to the ends. I also needed to make the ends square to the top. Then, finally, flatten the both sides of the moving face of the twin screw vise.I thought of many ways to do this with jigs or machines but ultimately hand tools proved to be the best. Tools used:
LN Custom #4-1/2 plane
LV #8 plane
Card scraper
Machinist square
Carpenters square
#2 Pencil to mark high spots
Cant really complain about the results, honestly, I'm obscenely proud.

Now that this is done, I can start working on the leg vise (boxes in the background).

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[Jim Koepke]

Looking beautiful!

jtk

[Bruce Page]

WOW! I'd be pleased too!

[Dan Barr]

One day I will build a bench like that for myself. I've been thinking about it for years. Congratulations to you!

[Dale Murray]

I've wanted a bench like this for roughly 38 years, I'm 46 now. A few times I was tempted to cut corners then reminded myself, I've waited so long I should not compromise.

[Frederick Skelly]

Top looks good! Love the contrasting wood too!
Look forward to more pictures.
Fred

[Robert Engel]

In a weird way it will help your ww'ing too, I believe.

[Prashun Patel]

I'd be proud too. Well done! Can't wait to see the rest.

[Al Launier]

That table is so beautiful I'd be afraid to use it.

[george wilson]

Me too,Al !!!!

[David Eisenhauer]

Wow! Better looking bench top than the top on my nightstand I am working on. Complete bench photos please.

[William Fretwell]

Looks flat! Have you tried a laser level across it's length? Useful 'Neanderthal' technique!
I had a few knots in mine I pushed to the back of the bench. I made them a 'feature' by filling them with bronze powder mixed with epoxy and sanding flat. They remind me it's not perfect so I can use it:)

Note: 'Bronze powder' is not bronze just pure copper. Very fine don't breathe!

[Dale Murray]

Thanks for all the kind words.
I started this project last winter and set it aside in May, until last week.

last winter I assembled the top and build the base.
Dovetails are hand cut.

I was a bit reluctant to post to many photos because I did use a lot of machines on this project - trying to respect the neanderthal space.

The complete bench photos are from when I set it aside. I added the drawers as a temporary place to holy my gerstners and a few other things. These will be replaced with proper drawers this winter.

First I made all my dogs and individually fitted them. I then flattened with a router sled followed by a LN #8 and LV #4-1/2

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[Dale Murray]

The last two photos I could not put in previous post.

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[Jerry Olexa]

VERY nice results!!!!! Nothing obscene about that.....Good work...Be proud!!

[Pat Barry]

That table is so beautiful I'd be afraid to use it.
I agree. Maybe you could take some old chains and distress it a bit before you use it. You know, break it in a bit to take the pressure off. Seriously it's beautifully done!

[William Fretwell]

Dog Question
Dale I don't see the dog holes in the end vice? Are they so well fitted they vanish?
The fitted dogs flush with the top is a look I like as well and keeps the dust out. My concern was catching the back edge of the dog with a plane blade which will split off a chunk of the dog. Rounding the back edge to the same depth as the minimum dog raised height may save the dog without reducing holding power. Having a bunch of spare dogs works as well.

[Dale Murray]

Pretty:
In regard to its too pretty to use; Bentley knows every car they produce will eventually get dirty and maybe have a few scratches, but until then, it is going to be a rolling masterpiece.

I know I scratch it up. Until then, it will be my finest piece of cabinet work to date. BTW, those are the first dovetails I have ever cut by hand or machine.


Dogs:
You are correct, I have not installed them.
Both faces of the vise will receive some sort of sacrificial wood - Walnut, most likely, when I install those I will figure out the dog situation.

When I made the dogs I created a bunch of blank forms, just need to slice out a dog as needed. I dont intend to run the dogs so high that a plane can catch them. I may learn otherwise down the road.

[Dale Murray]

Its happened, I scuffed the top a bit sliding around the wood for the chop. No worries, I planed on one last coat of finish once the vise is installed.

Figured I would share two more photos.

My temporary drawer of planes. These will be relocated to a wall cabinet sometime down the road. Hopefully this area will occupied with drawers before spring.

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This shows the bottom of the dogs. I dont really see a need for them to be much higher than 2/3-3/4" above the surface.

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[Brent VanFossen]

Beautiful work. And congrats on your first dovetails!