New Bench almost finished

[Mac Cambra]

Guys,

Thought I would debut my bench project before the SMC community.

The bench top is ~95" x ~27", the field is
"3 thick, butcher block style laminated hard maple, and the aprons are
roughly 6" wide, 8 quarter (2" thick) walnut. The base is hard maple as
well, all mortise and tenon construction, the stretchers removable with
bench bolts. The raised panels you see in the base are also made from
walnut. The front vise is a Lee Valley quick release and the end vise is the LV twin screw.

I estimate the bench's weight right know at are 350 - 400
pounds. It doesn't move at all when I plane.

I finished the bench using General Finishes Seal a Cell, not sure if that was a mistake but time will tell. I am finding it hard to use it now because I am afraid I will scratch it but then again that is inevitable.

I intend to build a base cabinet of drawers that will fit where I
currently have a make-shift shelf holding my dovetail jig. When the
cabinet is installed and loaded with hand tools the weight will likely
push 600 lbs.

I welcome your comments, I am sure I will build another at some point in the future.

Thanks,

Mac

[Sean Troy]

That looks great. I need to build myself one of those monsters.

[Jim O'Dell]

Man, that's beautiful!!! Looks long enough to be a bowling alley. :D I'd be the same way, afraid to use it. I guess you could convert it to an island in the kitchen when you are feeding a crowd buffet style! Enjoy it. Jim.

[John Karam]

Hey that looks great!

If you don't mind me asking, how much did that all cost you to do?

[Mac Cambra]

The materials for the bench cost roughly $900 which includes the vises. Not sure what a commercial equivilent would cost?

[Don Bullock]

...I guess you could convert it to an island in the kitchen when you are feeding a crowd buffet style! Enjoy it. Jim.

Wow! I agree with Jim. That bench would look great in a kitchen.;) Perhaps I've become a sucker for projects with contrasting wood. I really like what you've done and have plans for something like it when I'm able to move into a shop where I can actually set up a bench like that. You did a fantastic job.

[Todd Jensen]

Gorgeous! My jaw literally dropped when I opened your picture and pure envy spilled out. Beautifully executed and inspirational; I can't wait for the day to copy it.:)

[Jerry Olexa]

Very nice work....

[Roy Wall]

Mac -

That is truely Outstanding!!! Beautiful and Durable....

PM sent........

[Bruce Page]

Mac, that's a beautiful bench, nice hardware too!

[Bill Huber]

Mac, I just don't think I could bring myself to use it, its just to nice looking. Now maybe I could put it in the dinning room and put a good table cloth on it so I wouldn't mess it up.

Really a great looking piece of work.

[C Scott McDonald]

WOW!

Well Done!

[Don Stutsman]

Probably one of the best I've seen. Great job! After the first ding or scratch, you'll really put it to good use.

[Jon Lanier]

That's so pretty I'm starting to tear up. Beautiful.:)

[Glenn Pearston]

WOW - very nicely done. Looks beautiful, well crafted and very functional. Impressive.

[Matt P]

Now I'm feeling very inadequate about my Black & Decker Workmate.

[Todd Jensen]

Matt, it shouldn't have taken this bench to do that.:p :D

[willie sobat]

Very nice. It's almost as big as my shop!

[Peter Stahl]

Awsome job!

[Todd Burch]

Very nice! How about some more pictures - closeups of the joinery and other details, like under the vises, the end vise setyp from above and the leg joints, etc. Also, got an progress pictures?

Todd

[GERALD HARGROVE]

Pure art, great job!!!!

[John Thompson]

Well done Mac, well done indeed......

Sarge..