Search:

I tend to tidy between big steps of a project, as well as in between projects. My reasons are that it is nicer (and safer) to spend so much time in a well-kept space... and, my brain feels...

Thanks Derek!

I feel like this project is many things for me... a learning opportunity, a proving ground (i.e. that I can tackle and accomplish it), and ideally a tool builder that will be...

Big milestone!!! I finished the top last night.

I carefully installed the vise making sure to follow all the instructions carefully (and Jameel sent me some email responses that were helpful too)...

A little late to this thread, but here's a story to prove what you all already know.. leather gloves (or similar) are a must when handing rough lumber.


Year ago when I was in the "barn saving"...

Got my "condor tails" (named by Benchcrafted / Jameel due to their large size) cut today. I've never done dovetails this big before, never used a chisel before, never free handed a router before,...

:-) No worries about me becoming a know-it-all... I think, in life, literally the most important thing I ever learned is that there's no end to the learning. Pick any topic, and I find that's true....

It's funny because over the years, just about everything I have ever learned has come from finding other good examples to (at least initially) mimic. "Imitation being the most sincere form of...

Well after my confession-of-mistakes post, I had a more positive outing today. Thank goodness. :)

I had prepared the dog hole strip of lumber previously (three pieces of black walnut, from a...

Bob's confessions of mistakes so far (all of which are able to be "saved" and workbench will still be beautiful and functional.. just won't be as nice as, say, Jim's :-)


Mistake 1: Almost, but...

Thanks Aaron!


----

I was dreading trimming the top laminations... my circular saw sucks for precision work... I don't own a great hand saw, nor am I proficient at freehand cutting for a joint...

I also built a drill table like this awhile back (and I think it was after reading Derek's post)... although my versions are always a bit rougher around the edges than the nice examples I see here...

Very helpful, thank you! Mine will net out almost exactly around 24" and it's a BEAST (sooooo heavy).

I will have several other surfaces to choose from during assembly too, so I think you're...

Good data point, thank you!!!

I ended up picking the "both" option :-) The Benchcrafted Leg Vise and their Tail Vise. Important to note that the Tail Vise is what Chris S. calls a "Wagon Vise"...

For the upcoming projects that you listed, a miter saw might be a more useful first purchase. I did many of those same projects, and after a few months of cutting everything with my circular saw...

I cranked it out and it works great. From the street it looks like a whole barrel because the cutout is hidden on barn side.

I've filled (and overfilled!! ugh!!) my 30 gal dust barrel about 10 times over the holidays, and while that pace is higher due to vacation time, I'm simply overwhelming my mulch pile on the back...

Update...

I ended up watching the split top bench build series at the Wood Whisperer and really appreciated Marc's teaching style as well as some key features of the bench (the "benchcrafted"...

Thanks guys!

Luckily, selling of woodworking projects isn't a make-or-break thing for me. Basically, since my wife won't allow many more pieces in our own house, I have to build and...

Thanks Tom! I think it’s doable with patience. One time pain for long time gain :)

I’m not suggesting replacing other methods and will of course use a square etc. But, I currently derive utility from my known-flat table saw surface.... so having a similar (but longer) version would...

LOL it’s not a mystery that I was played. We’ve known that for awhile now. Just closing the loop to show the end of the story... and, I’d rather get played, lose an insignificant amount of $$, and...

Good tip... but I am building a counter top regardless of whether there are other ways to determine "flat"... so having a reference surface would be of value while I'm at it. (and I'm not sure a...

Well, here's how this one ended...

After repeated passive-aggressive comments, and a refusal to answer simple questions... I built her a bench to her specifications and gave it to her for free. ...

As part of my upcoming home and shop renovation, I will be gaining a 15+ foot long x about 18" deep counter along a wall that was previously blocked by a set of stairs (the stairs are moving outside...

I agree, and that's what I'm going to do.

Actually.. my dad has always wanted a traditional, wooden tool chest... like a Gerstner... perhaps I'll build something like this for under my bench, and...