Popular Post wnaziri Posted May 24, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 I have not posted in a while. I have been busy trying to set up my workshop. I thought I'd start my first journal. I have done some of the work but there is significant amount of work left to do. First of all, it is NOT a roubo. My initial plan was to do a roubo but after seeing the Shaker workbench by FWW, I really liked it and decided to forge ahead. I got my lumber from Shannon R. While I wanted to follow the FWW approach, i decided to make the table top 4" (not 3"). That is one feature of the Roubo that really liked. I let the lumber acclimate for 2 weeks and then began milling it. As I was milling the lumber, I was also learning about the capabilities of my new tools. I had never used these tools. So it was a learning experience on two fronts. So far, I have to say that I am really enjoying working with cherry and doing all these M&T's. Here is my lumber, cut to length. The cherry components were glued to give 3.5 X 3.5 components. Cherry all milled and ready for the M&T work. Well, this past week, I got all the joinery done and the dry assembly actually went better than I could have imagined. I had one error that led to the stretchers being 1/2 shorter than planned. Oh well! I did the milk paint last night. I have to say that I really like the stuff. I may do a period piece just so I can use some funky colors. The base is essentially done. I am trying to exercise patience. At this stage, I normally want to get going and finish the project but I want to slow down and think it through. I will be applying a couple coats of Danish oil as my finish. I think I will do the finish before I glue and drive through the dowels. I have made some nice walnut dowels ready to go. The top is maple and it will be very heavy. I am gluing three maple pieces at a time, in attempt to avoid giving myself a hernia. The top is 15 pieces plus an apron. If I get time this week, I hope to have the base assembled and the top all milled and glued. Next: - Lie-Nielsen twin-screw vise - 10 drawers, great opportunity to practice hand cut dovetails. I will try to update the journal as time allows. Thanks. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 Awesome! I'm not a fan of the paint but, it's your bench and your shop so, good on you for doing what you want! Nice to see something other than a Roubo! I'll be enjoying this journal for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 This is going to be sweet! Looking great so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 If I had seen the shaker style before I did my bench I would have given it some serious thought. Looking forward to your journal. I do like the blue color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 Glad to see you are putting those mega machines to work ! Bench is looking great. Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddclippinger Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 This will be as much fun to follow as it is for you to build. A good work surface and bench is such a great asset in the shop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 I like the blue paint i was iffy on it at first but after i read your intentions i can see where your going with this and i like it. I'm excited to see a journal with some of this big iron working. I hope that you include some bits about hwo your liking your space and tools. DO you ever stand in your shop and wonder what to do with all the space? I'd set aside a corner that was just open if i were you just to be That Guy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 Good thing you'll have ten drawers. It must be terrible finding storage space WITH ALL THAT AWESOME WOOD taking up your shop. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 You will enjoy having lots of drawers to keep tools organized and close at hand. I did it the easy way, scrounged 2 of those flat file drawers for architects drawings. Its always refreshing to see a different approach to a project. I like the blue,it really stands out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 Nice, looking forward to this one... be sure to keep angling all your photos so that we can see that nice lumber in the background...hopefully no one on the forum knows your address, could be trouble Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 Dude! This bench is going to be as awesome as the rest of your shop. I have to quit looking now, the drool is making my keyboard slippery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted May 24, 2016 Report Share Posted May 24, 2016 Very nice!! I look forward to following the project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob493 Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 I think I see where this is going. Gonna keep an eye on this bad boy! Looks great so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 Great googley moogley, is that a northfield no4 in the background? It needs a lid though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaziri Posted May 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 5 hours ago, Pwk5017 said: Great googley moogley, is that a northfield no4 in the background? It needs a lid though! @Great googley moogley: Indeed, IT is a Northfield No. 4. The lid is in the machine shop getting spiffed up with a flatter top and edges. I have elected to add the Very Super Cool Tools Biesemeyer fence. It will be my main working saw. It is heck of a lot of fun to use. Fun Picture - here is the blade the will go on the saw: I had no idea that the blade would be that big. IT IS YUUUUUGE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephThomas Posted May 25, 2016 Report Share Posted May 25, 2016 "That's no moon" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wnaziri Posted May 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Made a little more progress. I did pre-finish all the components with 2 coats of Danish oil. The Federal blue panels also got two coats of the Danish oil. Assemble went well except the last panel. But, thank god for some hand tools. I must note that draw bore technique is quite effective. The base turned out nice and square. The top pieces are ready to be planed to thickness and assembled. I am debating whether I should put some Dominos in these maple top pieces to ensure they remain aligned. At this stage, the top is composed of 5 pieces, each comprised of three pieces of maple. Question for all you Ruobo builders: How did you establish straight edges for the top? My table saw can crosscut 4.5" but I am not sure it would be safe to do so. I am considering cutting the ends of the table top the old fashion way, with a hand saw. It could be a great excuse to buy a high end saw (Bad Axe perhaps ?). I have placed the bench in its final position. God knows that I will not be able to move it easily after the top is secured to the base. Next: the twin screw vise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 I would use the dominos for alignment if you have that available. Will cut down on your work later! As for trimming the ends, I have a track saw that did the trick but, I wouldn't hesitate to make the primary cut with a circ saw and finish with a hand saw. Great progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaneymack Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Looking good, I think the federal blue is pretty cool! Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 I dig the blue! Side note: Dear God, how big is that jointer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 Cut the ends by hand! Use that excuse for a new tool to good effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 10 hours ago, TIODS said: I would use the dominos for alignment if you have that available. Will cut down on your work later! As for trimming the ends, I have a track saw that did the trick but, I wouldn't hesitate to make the primary cut with a circ saw and finish with a hand saw. Great progress! I used this process as well. Domino's for alignment and track saw for ends. A little hand plane work on the ends to remove the line where the two cuts met worked well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwk5017 Posted May 27, 2016 Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 11 hours ago, bleedinblue said: I dig the blue! Side note: Dear God, how big is that jointer? The more I see of this guy's shop, the more I am almost certain that he walked into an auction and bought $40,000 of equipment for $800. looks like a northfield ts, shaper, big boy delta planer, the 12-16" jointer, and lord only knows what else he is hiding. I guarantee theres a massive 36" bandsaw somewhere in there. If you have the space and 3 phase, a bit of luck and patience produce huge machines for pennies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wnaziri Posted May 28, 2016 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 @Pwk5017 Auctions: yes. $800: in my dreams. 36 inch band saw: almost bought it but I opted for the 20 inch Northfield bandsaw. After reading about all manner of power tools, I fell in love with Northfiled tools. I set out to deck out my workshop with all Northfield tools. At this point, the only item I am missing is a Northfiled planer but I am not done looking. Back to the project: I had a couple of hours of shop time today. The top is planed and ready to for glue up. The top was supposed to be 4.0 inches but to get all the components to equal thickness and avoid too much hand planing, the final thickness turned out to be 3.975. Still very happy with the way it turned out. I did use my Domino to help keep the pieces aligned. Pretty flat surface for the workbench top. The edge is lined up to be crosscut with a handsaw (ordered a Lie-Nielsen). Do not have a track saw and really not sure I want to spend the money. I wonder if Shaney has one too many Festool track saws? I am thinking he got such a good deal and bought one and forgot that he had one already. Maybe he can let me borrow it for about 2-3 years. I am good about returning borrowed tools. Biggest lesson learned so far: cut the pieces for the top to appropriate length with clean cuts at both ends. When I build my next workbench in 18 years, I will keep that in mind. The apron is milled and ready to go. When I was choosing this workbench, I had a really difficult time visualizing how the mechanism for the twin-screw vise would fit under the top but now, I feel pretty stupid. The two screws go on either side of the leg and there is space enough for the components under the top. Need a bit of advice: Lie-Nielsen vises come in 12, 18, and 24 inches. I plan on making fine furniture with liberal use of dovetails and whatnot. Which vice would you recommend? I am having a hard time choosing between 18 and 24. My brain tells me to go with the 24 (no difference in price) but my concern is that the bigger the vise, the more chances that it might rack. Input appreciated. I have not ordered the vice yet. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted May 28, 2016 Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 If those measurements are the width, I say go 24. Twin screws are just the ticket for getting the most out of rackability. Is it just me, or do even your clamps appear to be outlandishly large?!?!!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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