OT: Bench is almost done

[Jeff Horton]

Since it's still slow around here and I have still not shifterd from house to boats here is my latest project.

I planed today till my shoulders hurt. I recieved my replacement blade from Walt for my #7 today. I sharpened it and went to work on the bench top. I have been planning on it for a couple weeks now off and on but my blade was so pitted it left groves in the top. I fnished it up and then smoothed it out with a sweet #3c Sarget I bought. Top is now slick as a babys bottom!



I waxed the sliding deadman because it kept sticking. Now it slides like it is on ice. Clamped in a board and took the trusy #7 set to "too deep" to it and see how it would work. I don't think I could move that board in that leg vice if I had too! Plane would finally come to dead stop and bench or the board never moved.



I then turned my attention to the end vice. I had cleaned it up and painted it intending to sell it. Because of the suggestions I received on anotheer board I decided to give it a second look. After a little measuring I discovered if I was carerful I had about an inch of travel to spare with the my dog hole spacing.



Since the vice was too short I made a block out of some scrap and put in a dog hole. I had a couple of oak dogs I made for the bench as a first attempt that were too small. With just a some minor planing they worked perfect in the vice dog hole. It works perfect so far! Of course someone pointed out I have should have mortised the vice into the bench.  Oh well. something else to do.

I made a couple of oak dogs for the bench with some maple for springs and they seem to work really well too.



All the planing made Sadie one happy dog. (I woke her up taking her picture) She seems to like the hand planed shavings better than the power planer shavings. I think because they are bigger and curlier. Guess that makes her one smart "bench dog"

[Brent]

Nice Project!

A good workbench is a pleasure to work with.  Hope it gives you years of service

[Dave R1]

Very nice bench. I need to make one of those one of these days.