Benchtop bench revisit

[pop-pop]

Phil Soper (@Phil S) was the winning bidder for this benchtop bench at the picnic yesterday.

I located the original construction posts from last Spring to share with Phil and after reading through them again, thought that the techniques used might be of wider interest.

Project w/ Pics - Laminated finger joints

Started working on a benchtop bench destined for the raffle if all goes well. Decided to use finger (aka box) joinery for the bench structure. First time for me and after considerable head scratching, here is how I am doing it. A goal was to have three laminated assemblies so that each can...

ncwoodworker.net

BTW, I have used that vise design twice subsequently and it is proving worthy so far.

 

[Dee2]

Thank you.
"Approved by Red Neckerson" - a classic!!

 

[pop-pop]

Thank you.
"Approved by Red Neckerson" - a classic!!

Can’t claim authorship.
First heard it from Pat Patterson on a local AM radio station decades ago.

 

[Rwe2156]

Bench top benches are very handy especially for tall people or for certain tasks. Jim Tolpin did an article in Fine Woodworking several years ago on a moxon benchtop bench.

I built my own version, but since my bench has a shoulder vise I really don't use it that much. One of the issues is when using the dogs, the face wants to cant out. Best to use bushing where the screw comes through. The issue with that is you lose the ability to clamp a tapered board.

I was unaware of at the time, but had to do over, I would build Steve Latta's version.

 

[Hmerkle]

Bench top benches are very handy especially for tall people or for certain tasks. Jim Tolpin did an article in Fine Woodworking several years ago on a moxon benchtop bench.

View attachment 244635

I built my own version, but since my bench has a shoulder vise I really don't use it that much. One of the issues is when using the dogs, the face wants to cant out. Best to use bushing where the screw comes through. The issue with that is you lose the ability to clamp a tapered board.



I was unaware of at the time, but had to do over, I would build Steve Latta's version.

View attachment 244637

Honestly Dr Bob, Pop-Pops design is better than Steves, VERY similar, but the full end vise is MUCH better than simply bolting on a purchased vise. I think it is better balanced and a stiffer assembly Which I think would allow you to "abuse" it (or at least put it through its paces better than the way Steve assembles his legs... JMHO

 

[pop-pop]

Honestly Dr Bob, Pop-Pops design is better than Steves, VERY similar, but the full end vise is MUCH better than simply bolting on a purchased vise. I think it is better balanced and a stiffer assembly Which I think would allow you to "abuse" it (or at least put it through its paces better than the way Steve assembles his legs... JMHO

The underarm (bracket) resists both racking and tilting quite well. I have both a bolt-on and leg vise versions of that design on my bench and both perform well.