Well I have found out the workbench I was given the top is not flat. If you go to my album and look at the pics it is a maple laminated top. If you run your hand over it it feels like the ocean <waves>. The laminate sections were not leveled. How would you flatten this top for workbench use? I have a No. 5 jack plane I could use but honestly I don't have alot of experience with planes. Give me some ideas on how to flatten the top and how flat should it be. Thanks for the help.
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How about a belt sander
From the pictures the top dosent apper very thick, maybe its just the pictures:eusa_thin
Might try adding another layer to the top
Might try adding another layer to the top
Steve I do have a brute of a belt sander, a big 4x24. How would I keep the surface flat? Keep checking with a straight edge?
Earl the top measures 1 3/4" thick. I should have enough material to get it fairly flat. The waves are maybe 1/8" to 1/16".
Phillip I like the idea of running it through a wide belt sander. I work near Clemmons Hardwoods, I might call them and see what they have and if they would do that for me. The top is 36" wide by 84" long. Do you think I could flatten it with a jack plane? I noticed you did the same for your bench.
Thanks guys
Earl the top measures 1 3/4" thick. I should have enough material to get it fairly flat. The waves are maybe 1/8" to 1/16".
Phillip I like the idea of running it through a wide belt sander. I work near Clemmons Hardwoods, I might call them and see what they have and if they would do that for me. The top is 36" wide by 84" long. Do you think I could flatten it with a jack plane? I noticed you did the same for your bench.
Thanks guys
mlb, if you can get it sanded be sure the operator knows what you're after. flat and smooth with a minimum of material removal. you can flatten it with a jack plane, you'll just have to be a little more patient and work carefully, i used a number 7 on the double bench in my pics. good luck and let us know how its going.
phillip
phillip
Phillip would I need to work in diagonals to start with a plane? Use pencil marks as a guide? (Something I saw in a magazine) Mark graciously offered to stop in on Sunday with a fresh #8 plane. That baby should be long enough to flatten an aircraft carrier. I might PM Mark and see if we can work that out. What do you think? I think that will leave a better finish than trying to haul it to a wide belt sander. Also who knows what grit they will have running that day.
Thanks for all the help guys.
Thanks for all the help guys.
I would save myself a LOT of time and find a cabinet shop with a wide belt sander and have them run it through a couple time. It might cost you $30 bucks for their time, but it will be money well spent.
My two cents ..
My two cents ..
there was a website that had a guy flattening his bench top with a router and a jig,, it was sweet,,your more than welcome to come and use my 38in wide belt sander if you can get it here.
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haaaa,, found it,,
http://www.dreamshopwoodworks.com/work_benches.htm
pretty slick jig,,i havent used one,, but it seems he knows what hes doing.
http://www.dreamshopwoodworks.com/work_benches.htm
pretty slick jig,,i havent used one,, but it seems he knows what hes doing.
That's toolferone's website. Send him a PM and I'm sure he'll join in the discussionMLB3164 said:
sweet steve,,thanks bro,, I have a couple Q's i have for him
MLB3164 said:
Marty,
Work on the base and bring the top with you when you come for the cabinetmaking class on the 29th. We'll run it through my drum sander.
John
good lookin out woodguy,,prob solved
Not sure how long your bench top is, but just running it through a big sander may not get it flat if its long. It will get it smooth, but say if the bench is cupped from end to end, that is the ends are higher or lower than the middle, then you will end up with a smooth cupped top. Thats why they make jointers, if a sander flattened everything we wouldnt need a jointer.
I long straightedge and Plane, #6-#8 will get it flat better than a sander, then you can use the sander to smooth it.
I long straightedge and Plane, #6-#8 will get it flat better than a sander, then you can use the sander to smooth it.
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