Tool Tray

[ken hatch]

I shipped the changing table out this AM. Sure was good to get it out of the shop, sure cost a penny or two to get it to Houston.

My shop is too small and has too many benches, machines, and stuff to have more than one project going at any time. in spite of space problems I expect a new shop sized Moravian bench is the next project but before that build I wanted to fix something that was bugging me about the portable Moravian bench.

I have a split slab on the main bench and it works very well. Because it works well on the main bench I tried a split slab on the portable bench. Problem, there is less real estate on the portable bench making the secondary slab is too small. There was always danger that things would be knocked off. It never happened but there were several close calls. Anyway cut to the chase: After thinking about it and several seconds of butt scratching I decided the best approach would be to re-saw the slab and use it to make a tool tray and that's how I spent the afternoon.

Here is the travel bench with secondary slab:

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The good news, by using the bottom of the slab for the bottom of the tool tray it already had the holes for the pegs and all I had to do was clean it up after the re-saw and and take the top part of the re-saw to make the edge of the tool tray. It was pretty quick and dirty, the only reason it took most of the afternoon was waiting for the glue to dry.

Anyway here are a couple or three photos, one staged as if working:

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From the other side:

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And one in use even if staged:

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As always click 'em to big 'em.


I love this little bench. I find I use it as much as and maybe more than the main bench. The wood screw vise is faster than the QR metal vise and holds better. Also the bench is perfect height for planing with metal planes.

A couple of things I think I will like about the tool tray: I kept the split so I can hold chisels, saws, and squares in the split. I can also use the split to clean out the tool tray without removing it from the bench. I may do the same type tool tray on the big Moravian bench.

ken

[Brandon Speaks]

I like having a tool tray. Looks real good on that bench and more useful that the small secondary slab.

[lowell holmes]

That is a fine looking bench.:)

[ken hatch]

I like having a tool tray. Looks real good on that bench and more useful that the small secondary slab.

I've never been a fan of tool trays on my full sized benches. I'd rather have the real estate of a secondary slab and a split to hold the tools but on this smaller bench I think it makes sense.

ken

[ken hatch]

That is a fine looking bench.:)

Thanks Lowell,

For as small and light weight as it is it punches well above its class. It is one of the most enjoyable benches I've worked on and is unbelievably handy. Need to do a job out of the shop, just take it apart and take it where needed. A piece of cake.

ken

[Kees Heiden]

I am not so sure about that split Ken. I would be afraid to loose all kind of small stuff there and having to sift through the shavings and sawdust on the floor to get it back again.

You’ve got a nice shop there.

[ken hatch]

I am not so sure about that split Ken. I would be afraid to loose all kind of small stuff there and having to sift through the shavings and sawdust on the floor to get it back again.

You’ve got a nice shop there.

Kees,

Thanks, it is too crowded mostly because of my tool jones but for the most part I have that addiction under control. At least for now :o, I'm slowly getting things culled down to just the core tools at hand.

It, things falling through the split, happens but not often. Most of the time if I'm on my knees looking for a lost screw or small part it's because it fell through a dog hole or I knocked it over the edge.

ken

[Bob Glenn]

Ken, I think, for me at least, a tool tray, while handy, tends to accumulate stuff that I don't really need for the task at hand. I often find just cleaning up and putting stuff away makes for a brighter day.

[ken hatch]

Ken, I think, for me at least, a tool tray, while handy, tends to accumulate stuff that I don't really need for the task at hand. I often find just cleaning up and putting stuff away makes for a brighter day.

Bob,

Same here but the small size of the main and secondary slab was problematic. I’ll see if the tool tray works.

ken

[Brandon Speaks]

If a tool try becomes tool storage I could see it being a hassle. Keep to the rule that if you would not leave it on your bench top you will not leave it in your tool tray and you will be ok.

[Jim Koepke]

Ken, I think, for me at least, a tool tray, while handy, tends to accumulate stuff that I don't really need for the task at hand. I often find just cleaning up and putting stuff away makes for a brighter day.

So often the top of my bench gets cluttered with bits of wood and tools. The way to start the day often involves a quick clean up.

My feeling on a tool tray has me on the fence over whether is should be on the back edge or down the middle.

jtk

[James Pallas]

I'm on bench number six now. 5 had tool trays and this last one is an adjust a bench with a 30" top. I still have a tool tray bench in the garage which I use in good weather. I would not trade the 30" top for any bench after 3 years of use. I do like tool trays so I say you need both. I'm thinking of making another one similar to Ken's bench. Narrow working surface, 12" or so, and tool tray. Great for doing most jobs. For bigger work, like case work or work with legs wider than the 12" that 30" top is just what I need. I also have 4 vises on it, one on each corner, one side right handed the other side left, wouldn't trade that either.
Jim

[steven c newman]

The bench in the Dungeon shop does have a tool tray....keeps things from rolling off the edge. One idea to try, IF you want to....make a "cover" that fits over the tool tray.....with a bit under the cover to fit IN the tray. So...when you really NEED the extra space..use the cover-up....Me? I usually need what is beyond the tray....may need to move a couple chisels, from time to time. Once a month, I clean it out..if needed. Makes a nice place to stash a plane, between uses. At least that Sargent #408 won't walk across the bench, while I use a different plane...yet be handy when I need it.

[ken hatch]

If a tool try becomes tool storage I could see it being a hassle. Keep to the rule that if you would not leave it on your bench top you will not leave it in your tool tray and you will be ok.

Brandon,

I spent most of my life with folks in shops, in fact grew up living over my Dad's machine shop. In my experience there are two kinds of workers. Those that have a place for every tool and every tool in its place and those whose tools rest where last used. Both can be very efficient but misplace the first guy's tool or move the second guy's tools and they are both lost. I expect with tool trays the story is the same.

ken

[ken hatch]

So often the top of my bench gets cluttered with bits of wood and tools. The way to start the day often involves a quick clean up.

My feeling on a tool tray has me on the fence over whether is should be on the back edge or down the middle.

jtk

Jim,

I try to clean up before quitting for the day, doesn't always happen but I try. I think the deciding factor would be how wide the main slab is.

ken

[ken hatch]

I'm on bench number six now. 5 had tool trays and this last one is an adjust a bench with a 30" top. I still have a tool tray bench in the garage which I use in good weather. I would not trade the 30" top for any bench after 3 years of use. I do like tool trays so I say you need both. I'm thinking of making another one similar to Ken's bench. Narrow working surface, 12" or so, and tool tray. Great for doing most jobs. For bigger work, like case work or work with legs wider than the 12" that 30" top is just what I need. I also have 4 vises on it, one on each corner, one side right handed the other side left, wouldn't trade that either.
Jim

Jim,

I'll bet it was number four or later before the magic happened:D.

I'm really impressed with the small Moravian bench. I'll know in a month or so how it scales up to a full sized bench.

ken

[ken hatch]

The bench in the Dungeon shop does have a tool tray....keeps things from rolling off the edge. One idea to try, IF you want to....make a "cover" that fits over the tool tray.....with a bit under the cover to fit IN the tray. So...when you really NEED the extra space..use the cover-up....Me? I usually need what is beyond the tray....may need to move a couple chisels, from time to time. Once a month, I clean it out..if needed. Makes a nice place to stash a plane, between uses. At least that Sargent #408 won't walk across the bench, while I use a different plane...yet be handy when I need it.

Steven,

I've seen photos, I think there's a tool tray under the tools :D.

ken

[Steven Mikes]

Ken, I'm looking forward to following your bench build thread. My current bench was the first thing I built, and while not terrible it is not great either. I'm very fond of the Moravian bench design, except for the fact that the ones I've seen have all been so short. I'm pretty sure the Moravians who built the bench in Salem, NC that these are modeled after were fairly short. At 6' 2" I'll probably aim for something a little higher.

[steven c newman]

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By Golly, you might be right....:D

[ken hatch]

Ken, I'm looking forward to following your bench build thread. My current bench was the first thing I built, and while not terrible it is not great either. I'm very fond of the Moravian bench design, except for the fact that the ones I've seen have all been so short. I'm pretty sure the Moravians who built the bench in Salem, NC that these are modeled after were fairly short. At 6' 2" I'll probably aim for something a little higher.

Steven,

The bench can be made to any height. The Will Myers build was a near copy of one found at Old Salem. Two things about the height: You are correct folks were shorter back then and wood stock planes tend to need lower bench heights. I've built two Moravian style benches, the first had a 860mm slab height. The second bench's slab is 830mm high. I expect the next one will be closer to 830mm than 860mm because it will be used as a planing bench. I have a 900mm high French/English bench with a Moxon mounted as well for joinery. At 6'2" I expect you would be happier with the 900mm bench.

ken

[Jim Koepke]

Jim,

I try to clean up before quitting for the day, doesn't always happen but I try. I think the deciding factor would be how wide the main slab is.

ken

When the clock in the shop was working this was easier to do. Now, all of a sudden it is dinner time and the shop gets abandoned rather quickly. The other self made problem is my habit of setting things on the bench when doing tasks other than woodworking. Things are brought in from outside and set on the bench to be sorted later.

So for me it seems the easiest is to clean up at the beginning of the day. Though sometimes it is cleaned up as work progresses throughout the day.

My other thoughts on tool tray location is my desire to have a lefty/righty bench. To do that the tray would have to be down the middle.

jtk

[Stew Denton]

Ken,

Like you, I never have had a tool tray either, always thinking it takes away from work area, and never liked the idea of one. This is not to say I ever do anything right currently, because on those occasions when I work in the garage on my good saw horses and planks (my best bench), I lay tools on a plank on the floor behind me. When working outside on my old saw horses and planks, which is the vast majority of the time, a deck is extremely close, and that is my tool stand. (It rained this morning, so my plans for today are temporarily messed up.

However, your post has made me realize that on a portable bench, which I will take to the work, it looks extremely practical. With different set ups I have used in the past, the one I liked best was just something behind me, a small stand or something I could set tools on. So for me, if I ever actually have a shop that is likely the way I will go, but like I said, your tool tray in the portable bench makes a lot of sense. Carrying a small stand or whatever for setting tools on when away from home for the work is just one more thing to haul around, and I would probably not do such.

Where I need a portable bench, it is typically carpentry related, not fine woodworking. I hope to work on maintenance at a church camp using the portable bench, and most recently have worked on the kids house, or one of their rentals or on the church on a church work day, so for me a portable bench sounds extremely useful.

I appreciate the post and idea, and have followed the comments from everyone with interest

Thanks and regards,

Stew

[ken hatch]

Ken,

Like you, I never have had a tool tray either, always thinking it takes away from work area, and never liked the idea of one. This is not to say I ever do anything right currently, because on those occasions when I work in the garage on my good saw horses and planks (my best bench), I lay tools on a plank on the floor behind me. When working outside on my old saw horses and planks, which is the vast majority of the time, a deck is extremely close, and that is my tool stand. (It rained this morning, so my plans for today are temporarily messed up.

However, your post has made me realize that on a portable bench, which I will take to the work, it looks extremely practical. With different set ups I have used in the past, the one I liked best was just something behind me, a small stand or something I could set tools on. So for me, if I ever actually have a shop that is likely the way I will go, but like I said, your tool tray in the portable bench makes a lot of sense. Carrying a small stand or whatever for setting tools on when away from home for the work is just one more thing to haul around, and I would probably not do such.

Where I need a portable bench, it is typically carpentry related, not fine woodworking. I hope to work on maintenance at a church camp using the portable bench, and most recently have worked on the kids house, or one of their rentals or on the church on a church work day, so for me a portable bench sounds extremely useful.

I appreciate the post and idea, and have followed the comments from everyone with interest

Thanks and regards,

Stew

Stew,

The Moravian style portable bench is an amazing example of engineering or evolution. Doesn't really matter which because it works however it came about. Bottom line the little bench is quick and easy to build, is very portable (I haven't weighted them but I expect no part is heavier than 40 lbs.), and is very stable. I've used it both in camp sites and the back garden of our house. It is easy enough to break down and assemble that I'm willing to do it for even minor jobs. Every home owner/handy man should have one.

ken