popper Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 I'm a guild member and a member of the Hand Tool School. I would like to thank Marc and Shannon for their videos and email support though the build. I built my bench with mostly hand tools, except for the planing marathon for the top and the 3/4" wide 1 1/2" deep by 47" long mortise for the deadman, which was the last thing and I was about to be a dead man myself. I used walnut for the legs, chop and end cap, got it from a local supplier. Eric at Bellforest worked with me to get the rest of the wood I needed for the build, which was all maple. I was really happy to find 16/4 walnut for the legs. This was only the second real woodworking project I have done. I think I did a good job. There are things that I know I can improve on but that will come with time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 That's a great looking bench, Popper! A piece of work you can be oroud if. Now I hope you aren't timid about using such a lovely piece to make more stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raefco Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 That is one sweet work bench Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisphr Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Boom! Awesome bench huge accomplishment. You'll pass this one to your kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunterL Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Wow! Stunning bench, you've got me considering Walnut whenever I get a chance to build my Roubo. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 That's a beautiful bench! Don't forget to sign it and date it ! Your grandchildren might enjoy using it one day ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Great looking bench! I can't wait to build mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Super nice bench! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popper Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 That's a beautiful bench! Don't forget to sign it and date it ! Your grandchildren might enjoy using it one day ! Great idea. Thanks Thanks guys for the kind words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Popper, that is a great accomplishment and you should be very proud. It looks great! You do realize that you built it backwards, right? Kidding! You lefties always freak me out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Popper, that is a great accomplishment and you should be very proud. It looks great! You do realize that you built it backwards, right? Kidding! You lefties always freak me out. Only Karl would have caught that one! Mmmm. Sweet bench OP 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Jimerfield Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 well done...be proud of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Only left handed people are in their right minds ! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popper Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Popper, that is a great accomplishment and you should be very proud. It looks great! You do realize that you built it backwards, right? Kidding! You lefties always freak me out. Lol I only wished that Marc and Benchcrafted would have made plans for lefties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Just turn the plan over... to the dark side! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Very nice work. I love the walnut chop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 What did you finish it with? The contrast of those 2 woods if beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstroDave Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 That's a beautiful bench. The fact that it's only your second project gives me hope when I start my bench project. One thing I hadn't considered was the lefty aspect. I am a lefty and am trying to understand the benefits of this configuration. Is it just that the vise being on the right would allow me to hold the wood better when working it with hand tools? Are there other aspects I'm missing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 I'm a lefty but I plane righty...that is to say, my right hand is on the tote. The only benefits that I know of to having the bench in the correct orientation are 1) not having the chop in your way when planing long boards (it will be at the end of the board instead of the beginning, and you'll tend to bump your legs on it if you're planing the "wrong" way) and 2) when planing using the tail vise, you'll be planing against a stationary dog instead of against the movable dog attached to the vise...which theoretically, over the years, could take a toll on the mechanism and loosen it up. Theoretically. Aside from that, I know of no other advantages. But they probably exist and I just haven't realized them. Nice job, Popper...that's a beauty. Just out of curiosity, I have to know...why the finger joints on the end cap instead of dovetails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dewald Swanepoel Posted January 12, 2015 Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 Oh my giddy aunt! That is one purdy workbench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popper Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 What did you finish it with? The contrast of those 2 woods if beautiful 2 coats of Watco danish oil natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popper Posted January 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2015 I'm a lefty but I plane righty...that is to say, my right hand is on the tote. The only benefits that I know of to having the bench in the correct orientation are 1) not having the chop in your way when planing long boards (it will be at the end of the board instead of the beginning, and you'll tend to bump your legs on it if you're planing the "wrong" way) and 2) when planing using the tail vise, you'll be planing against a stationary dog instead of against the movable dog attached to the vise...which theoretically, over the years, could take a toll on the mechanism and loosen it up. Theoretically. Aside from that, I know of no other advantages. But they probably exist and I just haven't realized them. Nice job, Popper...that's a beauty. Just out of curiosity, I have to know...why the finger joints on the end cap instead of dovetails? I'm a lefty and did it just because that's what Marc and Benchcrafted suggested to do. Finger joints over davetail? Well that was because I know I could pull them off and didn't wont to have to look at a messed up dovetails for years. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnorris1369 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 Way to go. Great looking bench Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barron Posted January 13, 2015 Report Share Posted January 13, 2015 As a lefty tht planes lefty, the points above are correct, but also, having tried to use a bench set up for righties, it will just feel better when you use it. For example, if you are planning a long board, you can use a simple plane stop anchored in the leg vise an have the whole bench to support your board. Using the wagon vise your hand will naturally reach over to losen or tighten the vise. Plus most things are designed for right handed people (the scum) so it's nice to have a bench set up the way God intended. By the way, God is left handed--made the whole world with Jesus sitting on his right hand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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