Finished workbench

[mshel]

Well, I finally got it done. Not as pretty as Monty's but functional none the less. I didn't take any inprocess photos, I just wanted to get it done and get the Emmert mounted. Here are a couple of pics and there are more in my gallery if you care to take a peek. Base = SYP, stretchers = oak, top = SYP, apron = oak. Finished with two coats of General finishes Arm R Seal. I had purchased some leather to line the jaws of the Emmert and have it stuck with DST (double sided tape). I don't think I will glue it cause I might want to use my tilt plate and will have to remove the leather from the back jaw to install it. I guess I could just cut out a relief for it though. Have to think on that one.

I still need to fasten the top down to the base and I am waiting on my round dogs to come from LV. Some day, I would love to have a maple or beech top but for now, this will work.

Mike

 

[D L Ames]

Mike, your bench came out really nice.:icon_thum I know that Emmert vice is a monster but your bench makes it look tiny so I guess the overall size of your bench must be huge. What are the final dimensions for it? Are you going to mount an end vice?

D L

 

[Monty]

That is a seriously nice bench! I especially like the way you mounted that Emmert - I think that's the way they were meant to be mounted, with the rear jaw flush with the front apron. This way you can get maximal support when clamping a board to the front of the bench. Do you find that mounting it this way limits the movement of the vise in any way?

Congrats on getting the project DONE! I know that's a good feeling.

 

[cpowell]

Mike that looks pretty awesome. The SYP looks GREAT!! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

BTW when you build that next bench can I have dibs on this one! (I'll NEVER get around to building one myself).

You've added some pretty nice fixtures to the shop since my last visit. I'd like to drop by and drool on your new bench!:lol: :lol: :lol:

Chuck

 

[michaelgarner]

Mike,
Great job bro,,that is a serious bench,,and the vise looks at home there. I bet that thing weighs a ton. Be blessed friend.

 

[Ray Martin]

Mike,

That is one really nice bench. I was going to say it looked 'industrial strength' but it's too good looking to be called industrial.

Maybe, someday, if I ever get my shop / act together, I'll try building a serious bench... maybe...

Ray

 

[cskipper]

Sharp bench!

 

[mshel]

Mike, your bench came out really nice.:icon_thum I know that Emmert vice is a monster but your bench makes it look tiny so I guess the overall size of your bench must be huge. What are the final dimensions for it? Are you going to mount an end vice?

D L

DL,

I didn't quite hit my target width, I was shooting for 36" and due to some poor wood, I had to settle for 32" with the aprons. It is 7' long. Top thickness is 2 3/4". I have thought about putting another vise on it but still undecided. I think I will fasten the top such that I can add a end vise should I decide to.

Mike

 

[mshel]

That is a seriously nice bench! I especially like the way you mounted that Emmert - I think that's the way they were meant to be mounted, with the rear jaw flush with the front apron. This way you can get maximal support when clamping a board to the front of the bench. Do you find that mounting it this way limits the movement of the vise in any way?

Congrats on getting the project DONE! I know that's a good feeling.

Monty,

I had to do some fitting to allow the vise to tilt (relieve the edge of the bench) and may still have to do some more to allow a unrestricted swivel. Right now, if I swivel it one way, no problem but if I go the other way, it wants to hit the apron on the right side. Don't know why though. Rather than leave a bigger opening, I opted to try this for while and if I get a hair cross ways, I might break out the chisels and trim some more. I plan on building the cabinets for it much like the one LS did in FWW. I have some walnut shorts that will probably work for drawer fronts. Probably get a sheet of the "new" plywood from Lowes to make the box part. Any suggestions?

Mike

 

[Monty]

Any suggestions?

Next time you're in Hickory (say... October? ) you can stop by Catawba Hardwoods & pick up some of that "chinese birch" that I have been using for shop projects. Works great, and cheap.

 

[mshel]

One thing I failed to mention, the Emmert is fastened to the bench using #16 x 2 1/2" and #16 x 2" bronze wood screws. I found them at Jamestown Dist. Had to purchase 10 of each size and also got some #18 2". If anyone needs anything this big, let me know.

Mike

 

[Jonz]

Very nice, very nice. :icon_thum

 

[woodguy1975]

Nice Job! It really looks great.

 

[Big Mike]

Mike, when I saw that vise I was shocked at how large it is. Mounted on this wonderful bench it still looks very large even though this is a large bench. Really beautiful work, Mike.:icon_thum

Go ahead and bite the bullet and mount a tail vise and drill some dog holes down the length because you know the time will come when you will want to clamp something large flat on the bench top so you can work on it....

 

[jeff...]

Very nice bench - one day I hope to get some time in the shop again, you guys are making such cool stuff. Great craftsmanship, how thick is the top?

 

[skeeter]

Very nice work on a seriously sturdy looking bench.

 

[sapwood]

Magnificent bench Mike :eusa_clap

Looks like it will last a thousand years and the vise has a happy home :mrgreen:

Roger

 

[toolferone]

Yet someone else who started a bench after me and is finished before me!

Mike it looks great! I really like the SYP also.

 

[Travis Porter]

That is very nice. Love the vise.