Friday, October 05, 2018

WorkBenches

I've built a few and worked on more.

As I wander around the net I often come across posts of new builders fretting about their build. What kind of bench, what wood, which vise and where to place 'em, and so on. All understandable but also a waste of time for the new builder. Just build something that is strong, cheap and fast to build, then go to work making things. After working on the bench for awhile things about it will drive you to barking at the moon and then it is time to build another. If you are lucky and pay attention to your needs and not to bench building posts and books, after a couple of cycles you will end up with a bench that works.

The posts from new builders are what they are. The posts that bring out my inter curmudgeon are the ones with photos of the new completed bench that has a different type vise on each corner, is wide as an aircraft carrier, has rows of both round and square dog holes, has a sliding deadman on each side and a bench jack standing by, and is finished so slick you can see your face like in a mirror. And even better only took two or three years to complete.  BTW, almost every single "feature" of the bench combined with all the other "features" would have me barking at the moon faster than the first build it "strong, cheap, and fast" bench.

OK rant over, it will soon be time for my afternoon meds.

ken

6 comments:

  1. My sentiments exactly... Well said

    Bob, sipping Caribbean rhum, im out of beer :-)

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  2. Bob,

    That describes a real bench someone posted the other day. I shake my head and bite my tongue for the most part, but then whatever blows your skirt. BTW, the bench was also shown with a Moxon vise. If I counted correctly the bench had five vises going from left to right, a shoulder vise, a tail vise, a wagon vise, a leg vise, and a Moxon somewhere in the mix. The only thing missing was a twin screw vise, my guess is he just ran out of room to mount one.

    ken

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  3. Hi Ken
    I'm finally making my new bench. It will be a direct copy of what I have now with a Record QR vise and a Benchcrafted wagon vise. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, just making my last bench better than the first one.

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    Replies
    1. Ralph,

      Benches are like cars or airplanes, each new build tends to get better than the last. With the introduction of a new model who knows. That's my story anyway.

      Good luck on the build, again sorry about your 4 1/2.

      ken

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  4. Hahaha. I know exactly what you mean. I am at the opposite extreme. If I ever build another bench it will have no vises at all. A Moxon vise is all I want. I also have the same reaction to the gloss finishes. When I see one I just shake my head.

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    Replies
    1. Andy,

      I've worked on benches with no vise, in fact there is one in my shop now that I use for "shooting". While I like my face vise I could function using the Moxon with no loss. In fact I've thought about moving the Moxon off the main bench over to the shooting bench, I may do it today as today is shop cleaning day.

      Thanks for the hint,

      ken

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