JoshC1501 Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 After much contemplating and indecision about what bench to build, I finally made a decision and started rough cutting the lumber for my new bench yesterday. I ended up going with the Split Top Roubo. Its hard to beat all the resources available to help get this thing built, between the Guild Build and the Benchcrafted plans/hardware. Ultimately that was the deciding factor. I had considered signing up for the bench building class at the Marc Adams School this summer, because it would be a much easier build with their equipment, but in the end decided I could handle it in my shop. I don't have any pictures to show at this point, piles of sawdust from my circular saw and jig saw are not that exciting, but I will try to post some pictures once things progress a little further. I bit the bullet last night and ordered my vises and hardware from Benchcrafted. Excited to get my hands on those!! Now that I have all the wood in my shop, it is clear that I am going to have to focus on getting this thing completed. I usually like to have 2-4 projects going at a time, so if I get bored on one, I can work on something else, but this thing is so massive that I don't think I will have the room for that. Wish me luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Good choice, you won't regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 I have my wood and vises and about to start. Two others on here are also starting their builds. What wood are you using for yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 2, 2015 Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 Split-top Roubo...the gift that keeps on giving. Keep us posted with your progress...with pics. I enjoy reliving this build vicariously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC1501 Posted March 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2015 I stumbled into a big pile of air dried 8/4 White Oak at a great price awhile ago. Even though it wouldn't be my first choice of wood, it should make a great bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 White oak will be nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Looking forward to the build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Quarter sawn ? I can picture a bench with a rich finish and ray fleck galore ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Actually if it's flat sawn the top will have the flecks! Great wood all around and the scraps are nice for the smoker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Actually if it's flat sawn the top will have the flecks! Maybe. That would have to be some pretty dead-nuts flat sawn stock. Fleck is so finicky...if the grain is off by just a few degrees from perfectly vertical, the fleck up and vanishes "like a fart in the wind." -Warden Norton It seems most flat sawn boards have some radius to the grain and tend to be dead flat in the center but approaching rift sawn at each side. But at least it should have nice strain grain showing on the top. White oak is a perfectly acceptable bench species. Hard enough to last a lifetime for sure...even out in the rain (not recommended) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC1501 Posted March 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 It will have a combination of flat sawn, rift sawn and quarter sawn boards. Based upon my effort thus far the top will definitely have some ray fleck in it. I am also trying to get the front legs as quarter sawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 I need pics. Can't wait to follow this build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcfandjc Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Welcome to the journey. I am in the middle of the split top roubo build as well. I'm doing to top out of LVL and the base from SYP. I am also incorporating some walnut that has been air drying since my granddad cut the tree down 50+ years ago. If this stupid winter would go away so that I can get a little more time in my unheated garage to work on it, I would be a much happier camper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted March 3, 2015 Report Share Posted March 3, 2015 Welcome to the journey. I am in the middle of the split top roubo build as well. I'm doing to top out of LVL and the base from SYP. I am also incorporating some walnut that has been air drying since my granddad cut the tree down 50+ years ago. If this stupid winter would go away so that I can get a little more time in my unheated garage to work on it, I would be a much happier camper. And where is the build log of this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshC1501 Posted March 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 I have made some significant progress but nothing too exciting for pictures yet. I have most of my boards jointed on one face and they are ready for the planner. I was actually quite surprised how well they came off my little jointer. Considered skip planning but I had some twist in a few boards so then decided to just joint them all, I have plenty of wood so that wasn't a concern. Once I get the tops closer to glue up, I will post some pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estesbubba Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 The skip planning method scares me and pretty sure I'll face joint all my boards also for the top. Most of mine are 2 1/8" thick so should have plenty of room to get flat. Hoping to start mine this weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunterL Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 I need pics. Can't wait to follow this build I second that notion. Pictures and I am in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwood Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Going to be good to see the first official Indiana Roubo Build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Going to be good to see the first official Indiana Roubo Build I get no respect! No respect I tell ya! Completed August 2013 in... you guessed it... Indiana. LOL Seriously though, good luck with the build, Josh. I'm with Eric, I'd like to re-live this build again. I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwood Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Sblade, I completely forgot about yours. Sorry dude. The Official 2nd Indiana Roubo Build, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Sblade, I completely forgot about yours. Sorry dude. The Official 2nd Indiana Roubo Build, Ha! No worries, I was just looking for an excuse to post more pictures of my bench in other people's threads! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Ha! No worries, I was just looking for an excuse to post more pictures of my bench in other people's threads! Gary - those pics look like they were taken outside. How'd you get that monster into your shop? Is it on wheels? (Beautiful bench btw). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Gary - those pics look like they were taken outside. How'd you get that monster into your shop? Is it on wheels? (Beautiful bench btw). I could show you how I moved it, but let's just say that I'm a member of another certain guild. But yeah, I use some of those little 3 wheeled triangular dolly thingies under each leg when I need to move it around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted March 6, 2015 Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 I don't have any pictures to show at this point, piles of sawdust from my circular saw and jig saw are not that exciting, but I will try to post some pictures once things progress a little further. ... Now that I have all the wood in my shop, . A pile of wood counts as a worthwhile project journal pic. Don't be a tease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted March 6, 2015 Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 I could show you how I moved it, but let's just say that I'm a member of another certain guild. But yeah, I use some of those little 3 wheeled triangular dolly thingies under each leg when I need to move it around. Ha! The force is strong with this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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