Pictures and description of my bench ( 11 pictures)

[harry strasil]

I finally took the pictures I forgot to last weekend, then I saw a picture of a Coffin Makers Bench 13 foot long over on Traditional Tools. It seems I unknowingly made a short version of a CMB. But it was made to space and weight specifications of moving it constantly in a small space.

My bench top is 5 foot long 11 1/4 inches wide, 4 inches thick made of Linden (Bass Wood). It is 36 inches tall and has 19 inch wide feet of Ash, and the stretcher and off end are also of Ash. The vise leg is of Bass Wood. The Vise and the Apron are of Oak.

A view of the working side showing the hole spacing in the Apron and the 4 bench hold downs at the end.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench1-1.jpg

The vise with metal screw, and showing the bottom adjustment holes and the 3/4 hole in the top for clamping peg.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench2-1.jpg

The large double screw vise of Oak.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench3-1.jpg

In place on the bench.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench4-1.jpg

Notice the 2 flat head brass screws in the top countersunk below the top a bit. One is up just a ways showing how I use it as a stop to plane narrow strips. 1/8 thick is shown.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench5.jpg

[harry strasil]

I use a wedge system with pegs in the top 3/4 holes to clamp hard to hold pieces for planing. This view is for right to left planing so the plane will work on the tapered piece and the bench top will not interfere.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench6.jpg

A view from the end showing the pegs on the back side.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench7.jpg

Wedges reversed for planing when the grain is the other direction.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench8.jpg

Shorter pegs and thinner wedges for thinner material.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench9.jpg

The different pegs and wedges laid out on the top, the 3 odd ones have brass tops for using with the vise to hold long stuff.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench10.jpg

The peg and wedge system is all stored in this box.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/irnsrgn/wood/bench11.jpg

[Maurice Metzger]

Jr, thanks for posting these! I really like how much you've fit into a small package. This thread's a keeper.

Maurice

[Ian Smith]

Hi Harry,

Great thread. I found the peg and wedge set-up you use particularly interesting. I've previously tried to make similar wedges but have had limited success. I can see though that the slope on your wedges is not as steep as the ones I made and maybe this was my problem. I think I'll try again but this time make wedges that look more like yours.

[Philip Duffy]

Great pics of a great bench. BZ Phil

[Brett Baldwin]

It really is easy to forget how simple it can be and work great. I probably would discover it quickly using them but the direction of the wedges didn't even register with me before you mentioned reversing them. Looks to be a well thought-out bench.

[Jim Becker]

Harry, even as a "tailed guy" (figuratively and literally...:) ) I can really see the practicality of this bench for so many things and it really gives you easy access to the workpiece. That bench is designed for working wood and working it well!

[Steve Kubien]

Hi Harry,

I have loved your bench since the first pics I saw of it. Simple and straight forward. What sort of projects do you usuallly handle? I am curious because the bench is smaller that I would have though practical (I'm longing for one about 8ft long and 2ft or less wide).

Thanks,
Steve Kubien
Ajax, Ontario

[harry strasil]

anything I want, make lots of 4, 5, and 6 foot long setting benches on it.

[Javier Gonzalez]

That is one cool bench. I love the way the sides are dovetailed to the top. Looks heavy duty, yet portable.

[Tyler Howell]

Really like the size Harry,:cool:

Perrrrrrrrfic for my limited space.

[Zahid Naqvi]

Harry, isn't Bass wood a little too soft as a bench top. I really like how you have made a small bench so flexible and adaptable.

[harry strasil]

Yes, Zahid it is, but under the circumstances it is ideal for what I needed in a bench, its light enough to move around with ease, and solid enough for chiseling etc.

This is only my portable demonstrating bench and I have a limited amount of space in my trailer to store it in. And with the help of my little 2 wheel cart I can remove it, move it to a remote location and set it up with ease.

Along with all the above, it was kiln dried, 8 ft long and the fella even ran it thru his planer to remove the sawmill marks, all for $20, I could not resist it for those reasons, and I am careful using it. After all it only gets used maybe 30 days a year or less.

As an aside it sure is easy to touch up if the top gets dinged up. LOL

There is no glue used in its construction only Dovetails and Mortice and Tenon joints with pegs and 6 3/8 by 3 inch or so wood screws to help hold the apron on, it will easily completely dissasemble if need be.

Its just perfect for what it was intended for.

[Seth Poorman]

Harry
I like this bench. I will study these pics and demensions and maybe build one as soon as I get my other projects finished..

[Terry Hatfield]

Harry,

Very,very cool!!!! I really like it. Thanks for posting.

Terry

[Steve Branam]

I've been looking for a good example of wedging up, leave it to Harry! Yesterday I took a piece of scrap from planing practice and cut it down to 3 1/4" x 18", then ripped it diagonally and jointed the edge.

I picked that width because it's the spacing between my dog holes plus the flat on my Veritas dog, so that's the max width I'll ever need to wedge (could also just use shorter wedges and drive the end of one past the other). I picked that length because it gave me a long, narrow taper.

I ended up cutting one of the wedges in half, since most of the time the width I need is big enough that I can just use the front half of the wedge with it's back half, as in the first picture below.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TAJo9XOQd0I/AAAAAAAABq4/s4fX8d_wS_U/s400/img_0201.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6qAGOXP58V0/TAJo-bBVgzI/AAAAAAAABq8/Qhf0KwjKaok/s400/img_0202.jpg

These hold great! Just set the right wedge in place against the dog, then hold it down while driving in the left wedge to the desired amount of clamping pressure. The flat on the narrow end gives you a place to set a piece of scrap to knock it apart.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/YfVF12KvT7yfUDAAE3k3Xg?feat=directlink

[sean phillips]

Very nice. Love the pegs and wedge solution. Something I'll be implementing (ripping off...)!

[Russell Sansom]

Harry,
This is as intelligent, self-assured, and elegant a piece of woodworking I've seen in a long time. When we show our woodworking projects I think we want it to tell people who we are. I know when I put a painting on the wall, it isn't with the purpose of announcing "here's what I've done" but rather, "Here's who I am." I have already liked who you are from your many posts, but you just moved up a notch in my estimation.
Congrats,
russ