Richard Goodwin
09-05-2006, 5:51 AM
I am making a new workbench from 120mm x 55mm European Beech. The finished size will be 2100mmx750mm. To make most economical use of the timber I have laminated the main section of the top from 110mm widths of timber. The finished thickness of this laminated section however is only 45mm. To compensate for the thin top I am planning on using 2 lengths of 110mmx45mm laminated together for the front and back aprons, with 20mmx20mm dog holes routed into one of these pieces, and a single thickness of 110mmx45mm for the end pieces of the apron (I think they are called cleats). I am also planning on having packers between the laminated top and the trestles, and blind mortising them into the front and back of the apron. I have two second hand vices; a Record 53 1/2 front vice and a Record 52 end vice.
I have 4 questions:
1. Can I glue and screw the apron ends onto the ends of the laminated section of the bench, or am I asking for trouble due to expansion/contraction of the laminated section?
2. How should I join the cleats to the front and back pieces of the apron? Is a half lap joint ok, or should I use some form of large dovetail.
3. Should I glue the packers to the underneath of the laminated section, or is this also a problem due to movement of the laminated top?
4. Should I slope the dog holes by 2 degrees or so, or is this more trouble than its worth?
As you may guess Im fairly new to woodwork, but keen to learn.
I have 4 questions:
1. Can I glue and screw the apron ends onto the ends of the laminated section of the bench, or am I asking for trouble due to expansion/contraction of the laminated section?
2. How should I join the cleats to the front and back pieces of the apron? Is a half lap joint ok, or should I use some form of large dovetail.
3. Should I glue the packers to the underneath of the laminated section, or is this also a problem due to movement of the laminated top?
4. Should I slope the dog holes by 2 degrees or so, or is this more trouble than its worth?
As you may guess Im fairly new to woodwork, but keen to learn.