1/3 scale workbench

[tghsmith]

the amount of woodword on my current model project made give a bunch of money to Lee Valley tool,, thier 1/3 scale planes are great functional tools, but dealing with small stuff in a big vise wasn't going to work.. so using thier scale vises I made a benchtop workbench,, all hard maple from lab cabinets that were demo'ed and dumpster bound.. the dowel vise handles will get replaced with some turned hardwood ones,, will have to order some 3/8ths brass bolts that will be turned into bench dogs...

 

[Mike Davis]

So…. Why 1/3 scale?

 

[tghsmith]

thats what the vise hardware was sized, but at 26" x 9" it gives a decent work surface that is still easily moved, not to say it doesn't have some weight to it.. I think it would also work as mobile bench for carving projects..

 

[tghsmith]

cleaned up the little workbench a bit more, gave it a quick coat of tung oil,, a little router table plate I ordered arrived,, looks much nicer than I expected, using a metal mount unit I will make a dremel powered mini table to make scale moldings and the like,, found a three drawer desktop cabinet unit that will fit under the bench and provide tool storage..

 

[llucas]

Very cool! seeing the pencil gives a real appreciation for the scale impact. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wilsoncb]

Reading between the lines…sounds like someone from the NorthPole and his workforce might be involved.

 

[tghsmith]

a little mill and drill time to make and adjust parts as needed,, a little more of the free salvaged maple and the little router table is read to start shaping scale molding and the like..

 

[tghsmith]

the three drawer unit arrived and it fits about perfect.. will have to foam sheet the bottom drawer so tools stay in place and they thier place.. I think I'm about done done steam bending white oak billets and its time to start turning them into finished hull frames and floor timbers

 

[tghsmith]

decided I needed a scale model chisel set,, have used cement nails in the past to make carving tools as they are high carbon steel and will harden well,, plus they are about the perfect size to work with.. forged out 6 blanks and got a good start on a 1/4" flat chisel..

 

[tghsmith]

having to much fun heating, beating and filing today,, a little more refine with a step on the tang so a disc can be brazed in place, a good start on it's swan neck mate,, can't wait to start turning the handles, thinking dogwood with brass rings front and back..

 

[tghsmith]

the set is getting there, 1/8" th, 3/16"ths and 1/4", flat and swan neck,, started driving the collars on, they will get a bit silver solder besides,, then it's quenching, honing and handles

 

[tghsmith]

collars soldered in place, oil quenched hard,, need final honing and sharpening,, have to turn some nice brass ringed handles and then may a scale mallet (it never ends)

 

[tghsmith]

big cup of coffee, the cute little veritas honing guide, diamond plates and oil, about an hour later and wicked sharp little chisels with correct blade angles..

 

[tghsmith]

chisel number one complete, other are well on their way!!! dogwood handles..

 

[tghsmith]

set completed, enough of making needed tools for a bit and back to the boats

 

[tghsmith]

turned my pile of steam bent billets into ribs/frames today, still have some floor timbers to complete before the hull can get framed up..

 

[tghsmith]

one last steam-bent billet, three more floor timbers to go and this hull will start to be framed up,, will be nice to step away from this trio of machines for a bit