New Carving Bench

[PeteM]

I was browsing the lumber section at the BORG and two 2"x12"x16' almost perfect SYP boards were sitting right on top of the pile!

I've been wanting a more stable carving bench so here's what I ended up with:

It's a bit more than 2' wide, 40" long and 39" high. I can work comfortably standing up for heavy carving and sitting on the stool for detail work.
The slotted center section is removable so I can clamp from the center of the bench.
Vice on the left (holding my HF swiveling vice and a practice WIP)
I haven't decided on dog holes yet. I'll just add them as needed.
I think it's a pretty good bench for less than $40 in wood.

pete

 

[MarkE]

Very nicely done! That top came out looking really good. :icon_thum

 

[MikeH]

The bench looks awesome Pete! Great job.

 

[ScottM]

From this angle it looks too pretty to bang/carve up. Enjoy.

 

[Bill Clemmons]

I like it Pete. I've always been a fan of SYP for bench/counter tops. As for dog holes, I kinda liked the arrangement in your other slanted bench, where you could hold any size or shape work piece.

Bill

 

[richlife]

Nice idea, Pete. Way to go! I've been pondering doing something about my bench -- my limited space makes for limited options. Your pics and description give me some good ideas. Maybe if I'm down that way I can come by for a look see.

My bench is small also (30x48") with a very stable base of 2x4s, a structurally supportive shelf set low on the legs and a glued up, doubled 3/4" plywood (makes it 1 1/2" thick) top which is bolted on. So I can easily remove the top (frankly, the trestle base has been fantastically stable) and replace it with a custom maple lamination (at least, that's the plan). But your structure for carving is what is intriguing me -- and Bill's comment about the "slanted bench" is interesting too.

Rich

 

[PeteM]

Hey Rich - You're welcome to stop by anytime you're in the neighborhood. I'd also like to visit your shop one day.

Here's a picture of the "slanted bench" that Bill mentioned. It's small and designed to be portable and just clamp on top of a regular bench. The picture is from Mark's (Stave) shop last year. I spent a very productive day with him.

pete

 

[dupont6480]

Pete,
Great looking bench! I like the idea of the removable section.
Tim

 

[stave]

Good job on the bench and it looks flexible...to nice to bang on though. Now when are we going to see some new carvings....got no excuse now!

Stave

 

[Bill Clemmons]

Rich, here's another shot of Pete's set-up. I took this when my grandson and I visited him last year.
​

View image in gallery​

Bill

 

[richlife]

Hey Rich - You're welcome to stop by anytime you're in the neighborhood. I'd also like to visit your shop one day.

Here's a picture of the "slanted bench" that Bill mentioned. It's small and designed to be portable and just clamp on top of a regular bench. The picture is from Mark's (Stave) shop last year. I spent a very productive day with him.

pete

AH! Now I see. Thanks, Pete. My bench is lower than your new one for use with other work, but I had also made a similar smaller "benchtop bench" to be added so I can stand and work without bending. Good idea to add a slanted surface with clamping options.

I appreciate the shot you provided, Bill. And Pete, are those the Flexcut "gouges" with your handles that sit above the slanted bench in Bill's picture?

Rich

 

[Shamrock]

I thought you were gonna drill some bench dog holes?

Still looks good though:gar-Bi

 

[PeteM]

Pete, are those the Flexcut "gouges" with your handles that sit above the slanted bench in Bill's picture?

Yes they are. I couldn't deal with switching handles and Flexcut charges $15 for their handles.
They were easy to make from scrap. Just drilled a 3/8" hole and stuck the blade in. I was going to use epoxy but they hold fine with nothing added.

pete

 

[PeteM]

I thought you were gonna drill some bench dog holes?

I will be adding some but I wanted to work on it a bit and see where and how many I will need.
One benefit of round dogs is you can add holes when and where you need them.

pete

 

[Graywolf]

That is a really nice bench. Thanks for sharing.
Richard

 

[McRabbet]

Excellent bench, Pete! Can you store your chisels in the removable slot in the center while you are working? Nothing worse than having them get bumped off the bench....

 

[eyekode]

That is a wonderful bench. I know you will get lots of use out of it.
Salem