Das Bench ( the bench) pics

[Robert Miller]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1010054.jpgAfter twenty five years of working on 2x4 and plywood workbenches, I finally got around to making the most important tool in my shop. A German cabinetmakers bench.
I thought that the Creek might like to see my new bench that I've named Bas Bench which is almost completed. It is seven feet long and made entirely of white oak. The design is a combination of several benches that I liked. It will have a end vise and a german front vise. The vises will be made of honduras rosewood.
There are no fasteners in the bench except for the end cap bolts. The joinery has all been done by hand with wedged through mortise and tenon.
The wedges are made from ziricote.

The base:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1010051.jpg


The foot was draw -bored and pined with three ziricote dowels that I made.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1010052.jpg


The completed base.


http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1010049.jpg


The top is laminated from white oak. I hand cut the end cap dovetails.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1070060.jpg


This was the first job I actually did on Das Bench. Dovetails.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1080061.jpg


the dog holes

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1030056.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1030055.jpg


upside down , the endcaps have a 1/2" blind spline milled into them. The endcap dovetails and the bolt hold them into place, no glue. The top can move like a breadboard . There is glue only in the dovetails.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1030057.jpg


This is where I am at this point, I have hand cut half-blind dovetails in the endcaps for the rear apon and tool tray which I have not photographed yet. The finish will be waterlox.

What do you guys think? Have I missed anything?

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1090064.jpg

[Bruce Page]

Beautiful bench Robert. The craftsmanship in construction is obvious. You’re not actually going to do work on it are you? :eek: ;)

[Reg Mitchell]

Robert I would like to say that is one fine looking bench. The base is super nice. More pics when it is completed I hope
Reg

[James Phillips]

That looks better than alot of dining tables I have seen. It will be a shame to actually work on it and risk scarring that nice wood.

[Jason King]

I'm impressed with both the joinery used and the workmanship involved. You may want to post this over in the Neander section, they always enjoy this sort of thing.

I've been debating what bench to build myself. It's always good to see what other come up with.

congrats

[Robert Miller]

Beautiful bench Robert. The craftsmanship in construction is obvious. You’re not actually going to do work on it are you? :eek: ;)


Thank you,

Funny you said that, I had it in the living room until my wife finally threw me and my das bench out into the shop for good.:rolleyes:

She said I'll never use it to bang on, :eek: it looks better than our furinture, and she says I'll end up roping it off with velvet rope.http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon10.gif

Well she's close anywayhttp://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon6.gif

[Paul Chinetti]

That is one beautiful workbench. If you take that much pride in that, I would like to see a piece for inside use!

Newbie question for you (or anyone) but how in the world is the top attached to the base??

[Wilbur Pan]

Excellent looking bench!

Paul already asked the question I was going to ask (how are you planning to attach the top to the base), but I've got another one:

Conventional wisdom holds that oak is too "splintery" to make a workbench out of. Can you talk about why you decided to go with white oak for your bench?

[Gary Keedwell]

Excellent Bench!!! How many does it seat?:D I would be proud to serve our turkey diner on that.
Gary K.

[David Gilbert]

I’m very impressed!

You are quite a bit ahead of my workbench construction project. I’m designing a similar bench but will use two sections of maple bowling alley instead of the oak. So far, my construction is limited to cutting the sections down and planing the edges. Oh yea, I also built two wooden bench dogs. Obviously, I have a long way to go.

I have several questions:

Did you draw up plans with CAD software? If you have plans are you willing to share? I’m using my workbench design to learn SketchUp and know that it can import designs from different formats.

I’m particularly interested in your tail vise. What hardware did you use? What size will it be? Any suggestions about it will be welcomed.

You mentioned it is seven feet long, how wide and high is it? How thick is your top? What are the depth and width of your tool tray?

I think that there will be lots of us looking forward to more pictures of Das Bench.


Thanks,
Dave

[Robert Miller]

That is one beautiful workbench. If you take that much pride in that, I would like to see a piece for inside use!

Newbie question for you (or anyone) but how in the world is the top attached to the base??

Thanks very much. I'm not finished yet but it's close.
There are two crossmembers bolted in slotted holes to allow the top to move a little under the bench. I made a oak one inch ' bullet" which is just a locator pin that aligns with the hole you see in top of the base.
The top is not fastened at all to the base. It is held in place by the
" bullet ",and gravity does the rest. I estimate the top weight alone at 150 lbs.

[Robert Miller]

Excellent looking bench!

Paul already asked the question I was going to ask (how are you planning to attach the top to the base), but I've got another one:

Conventional wisdom holds that oak is too "splintery" to make a workbench out of. Can you talk about why you decided to go with white oak for your bench?


Sure, if I had used flat sawn 12/4 boards on edge I'd be somewhat concerned about the oak. This is white oak, not red and it is about as dense as it could be. I had to have my chisels like razor blades to cut the dovetails in it. By laminating the top I' have vertical grain to the work surface and that s why you see so many beautiful rays exposed in the wood.

I have several oak mallets that I hammer the bejesus out of all the, so far no splits.

But the real reason is because I managed to get 200bd ft. of white oak that Merrill over at Alva Hardwoods let me have for $1.25 a bd ft. because he was trying to make room for the $20,000 worth of teak he had purchased.

[Dennis Peacock]

Beautifully done and I sure do need a bench like that in my shop. :D

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

das iss das nice bench yah

[Robert Miller]

I’m very impressed!

You are quite a bit ahead of my workbench construction project. I’m designing a similar bench but will use two sections of maple bowling alley instead of the oak. So far, my construction is limited to cutting the sections down and planing the edges. Oh yea, I also built two wooden bench dogs. Obviously, I have a long way to go.

I have several questions:

Did you draw up plans with CAD software? If you have plans are you willing to share? I’m using my workbench design to learn SketchUp and know that it can import designs from different formats.

I’m particularly interested in your tail vise. What hardware did you use? What size will it be? Any suggestions about it will be welcomed.

You mentioned it is seven feet long, how wide and high is it? How thick is your top? What are the depth and width of your tool tray?

I think that there will be lots of us looking forward to more pictures of Das Bench.


Thanks,
Dave


Hi Dave, I'll be happy to help you any way I can. The first thing you need is a copy og The Workbench Book. It has working drawing in it with dimensions.

I'm currently at work on the tail vise which is made from honduras rosewood that my friend Merrill at Alva Hardwoods tossed me with a wink and a thanks for all my business .
Great guy.
This is what the tail vise will be.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/wb2.jpg

Dimension are 6 1/4 wide, 5" thick and 23" in lenght. The hardware for the vise ids fron Veritas. ( not the twin vise).

To determine the best height for the bench is personal preference but the 'rule' is to stand with you arms straight down at your sides. Now turn your palms don flat with your arms straight.
I'm 6' 6" tall Das Bench is 38" tall.
The tool tray will be 7 1/4" wide with a 1" thick rear apron, two and a half inches deep.it will be milled with slots in it to hold chisels like this:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/wb14.jpg

The overall width of Das Bench is 28 inches including the tool tray. The main field is two and a half inches thick. The dog hole strip is four inches thick, the vises are five inches thick.

This link is a great full tutial on making this bench with all dimensions.

http://home.mindspring.com/~hobbesct/Workbench%201.htm

I went for the full German lenght of seven feet but you can change it to what suits you.
Das Bench is a combination of many things. The base was a design in Fine Woodworking, the top is pretty close to Frank Klausz.

The finished bench will close to this

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/Workbench_091.jpg

[Mark Hollingsworth]

Why can't I get the pics to come in? All I get is the red X in a box. I'd really love to see this bench!

[Jay Knepper]

Robert,
That is one splendid bench!

[Robert Miller]

Wow, my spelling is suffering today, sorry everyone.

David, this is another link to a very nice bench with full instructions for you.
hope that helps you.
http://pages.friendlycity.net/~krucker/Bench/index.htm

[Bill Wyko]

That is so beautiful it leaves me breathless. Why do you all got to keep raising the bar so high. No fair.:D

[Charles Jackson III]

Nice work!

[Jim O'Dell]

Das goot bench!!! Yah. Jim.

[Nancy Laird]

Beautifully done and I sure do need a bench like that in my shop. :D

So, Dennis, you just need to get busy and build one!! :D :D ;)

Robert, that's just beautiful. I agree with the other comments that it's to pretty to be pounding on!

Nancy

[Robert Miller]

Thank you everyone, that is very encouraging praise. I'm trying to built this bench to outlast me for genrations. I hope that it will inspire me to enjoy my time spent woodworking on it for many more years, and my son, his son and his son ( or daughter) etc.
I guess it takes 25 years of woodworking before you finally realize what a feeling of satisfaction and joy it is to work on a bench like this. I'm looking forward to it.
I'll post more as I get closer to finishing it.
I've signed my name and carved the date in it.
I've carved a rosewood plane oil cup that swings out from underneath the bench.
Thanks again for all the kind words. I just joined the Creek and it's a great place with wonderful people.
Thank you.

[Brad Noble]

First things first. Allow me to apologize for "slobbering" all over the monitor and keyboard here!! WOW!! certainly one of the nicest looking (and functional) benches I have ever seen. You should be very proud. Enjoy it for many years to come.

Brad

[Raymond Stanley]

That thing is a masterpeice...

[Andrew Williams]

What do you guys think? Have I missed anything?



Glass of wine on the benchtop?

[Dave MacArthur]

Really fine looking! You're getting me inspired to start drawing my own plans, or copying yours! ;)

[Roy Wall]

Robert,

That is a beautiful bench! The tail vise will be specatular and it is certainly a masterpiece.....WOW!

Enjoy using it - put it to work - your marks on it will be legacy to your kids and on and on.......

Oh, one suggestion is to have the tool tray 'bottom' in 2-3 REMOVABLE sections.......for 1) easy clean out, and 2) also for getting clamps on the back side to hold your work when necessary (in case you haven't done this yet....).

Thanks for posting!

[Tom Maple]

I agree with all the statements everyone else has made. That is a piece of furniture, not a workbench. I especially like the contrasting wedges, dowels and tail vise woods.
"Sie ein guten bank makt"http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon7.gif

[Pat Zabrocki]

Das bench is das kühlste!

which according to Babelfish means the bench is the coolest!

way to go, I love it.
cheers
Pat

[jonathan snyder]

Very Nice bench Robert!! Your through tenons are spectacular!! Do you remember which FWW article the base design came from?

Thanks
Jonathan

[John Schreiber]

Ahhhhhh, that's fine. A great accomplishment which will stand the test of time.

[Todd Jensen]

"...risk scarring". He is soon to the point of no return where its beauty will only grow and change with time, and the scars will be part of that beauty. Incredible craftsmanship, and you should be proud to gouge. :)

[Ron Blaise]

Very, very nice joinery/bench Robert. :)

[Robert Miller]

Very Nice bench Robert!! Your through tenons are spectacular!! Do you remember which FWW article the base design came from?

Thanks
Jonathan


Thanks for the kind words Jonathan.

The Fine Woodworking article on the base for my bench is from issue
# 167. I follwed the plan for this base exaclty. The top in this issue was not the design I wanted.
Das Benches top is based completely on Frank Klausz. The full plans and dimensions can be found in The Workbench Book.
I went with the Nelson style rear vise and a german front vise.

In case someone wants the articles, and can't get it, I will forward plans at no charge for the base and to the top to you if you PM me.
I should have the rosewood end vise finished this weekend.:D

[Robert Miller]

Glass of wine on the benchtop?


Nein, nur gutes deutsches Bier an diesem Arbeitsplatz Das Bench

( no, only good German beer on this bench!):D :D

[Robert Miller]

In response to the interest in tha base I've been asked for the overall dimensions of it.The bottom foot is 3 1/2 " square by 28 " long.
The Trestle top member is 3" sqaure by 25 3/4" long.
The trestle legs are 3" sqaure and and 31 1/16 including the tenons.
the upper tenon is 1 1/2" thich by 2 1/4" wideby 3 1/16" long ( for trimming after wedging.
The stretchers are 1 3/4" thick by 4" wide by 50 3/8" overall ( includes an extra 1/16" for trimming after wedging.
The roundovers on the trestle feet have a 2 1/8" radius.
The wedges were cut at 5 degrees and driven home with a mallet.
I used a 1/8 in roundover bit on all the componets before assembly.
Assemble the trestle ends first, then the stretchers .
The overall width of the base is 28 inches wide by 51 inches long by 32 in height for the finished dimensions.
Once again, I will be happy to send you the construction article if you pm me.
Hope this helps you.

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/P1010053.jpg

[Bob Barkto]

Awesome.
Thanks again!

[Robert Miller]

Awesome.
Thanks again!

No problem, here's how close I am to finishing Das Bench.....http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/robmill54/Funny_Pictures_General_Cookie_Thief.jpg

[Jason Tuinstra]

It's looking very nice! Very sturdy looking with some good heft to it. I can't wait to see it finished.

[Hank Knight]

Robert,

I'd like to add my praise to the growing and well deserved list. That is a magnificent bench! The joinery is wonderfully executed, and I'm especially impressed that you did it all in oak. I built my base from white oak and it was a challenge. I can only guess at the difficulty of all the handwork that went into your top. Please post pics when you're done.

Congrats on a fine job. I know you will enjoy working on it.

Hank

[Dave Shively]

Robert,

That has got to be one of the nicest benches I have seen. You did one
fantastic job! I am envious.

Dave

[Dave Anderson NH]

Wonderful job Robert!! As I'm sure you're aware, the worst part of making a bench is deciding what to do and then trying to get started. Like you, I've procrastinated (Am I correct?) for almost 20 years, the last 3 actively saying I'm going to get started. Well, today it finally happened. I went out and bought the lumber for the undercarriage and I'm actually committed. Unfortunately, I'm now out of excuses for inaction.:rolleyes: Again, you've done a great job.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

Great looking bench. But this is built more to the standard of fine furniture. So I guess we should call it "shop furniture". Fantastic work! Alan

[Charles Shenk]

Thank you,

Funny you said that, I had it in the living room until my wife finally threw me and my das bench out into the shop for good.:rolleyes:

She said I'll never use it to bang on, :eek: it looks better than our furinture, and she says I'll end up roping it off with velvet rope.http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon10.gifhttp://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon10.gif

Well she's close anywayhttp://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon6.gif

Your wife obviously has a good sense of humor! "Velvet rope" ... Actually made me LOL. :p

[John Thompson]

Very beautiful bench, Robert. I like your choice of bases as it it generally what I use on all benches I build even though I rabbett the inside ledge of the bottom end to end runners and add a shelf. With those joints you used you won't get any rack.

Again.. excellent job and please don't invite me to work on it. I won't hesitate to drive a batten down with two finish nails not fully through the batten (easy to remove with claw hammer :)) to use as a stop. I can make a beautiful bench look like a battle-ship that just returned from a 16" gun shoot-out at sea in about a month.

Just keep in mind it is a "work-bench" as it is going to get nicked.. scratched.. stained.. etc. But.. those don't affect it's ability to do what is should.. work. ;)

Extremely well done and right "purty"...

Sarge..

[anthony wall]

Your wife obviously has a good sense of humor! "Velvet rope" ... Actually made me LOL. :p
absolute sacrilege to use that masterpiece but would look great to display your hand tools on perched on little velvet cushions to match the velvet rope. wish mine looked that good.i only ever get envious over tools

[Brian Kent]

Anthony,
Thanks for posting to this thread so we could all look at it again.

Question to Robert Miller.
Do you have any nice banged up bench pics to see what it looks like when it's broken in?

Brian