I built this workbench with scrap wood. I picked up the vise at a yard sale for $3 last summer. I cleaned it off with simple green, then submerged the parts in evaporust for 24 hours, washed off, painted and lubricated it. I had a socket welded on the shaft so I could use a cordless drill instead of the large crank when I have to do a lot of adjustment. For most operations, the handle works just fine. The wood in the jaws comes from a walnut tree that lost a branch. I cut it into boards with my chainsaw and planed it into some nice boards.
The table is based on a core made from a 9 ft cutoff 12″ LVL left over from the first house I built on my own. I kept it around for a few years waiting for the right application.
I cut it into two four foot sections, planed and squared them, and joined them into one piece with biscuits. Then I used some high quality pine scraps for the top and edges. I sanded the whole thing level and attached the vise.
The case is scrap 3/4″ birch with an extra one ft wide rib under the center for added strength. Everything is glued and screwed. This bench is really solid. The base is supported on two cedar rails. I had some leftover wheels in my shop for about ten years waiting for an appropriate use. They are seated 1/8″ higher than the rails so when I lift one end of the bench, I can roll it around the shop.
The case has two coats of Helmsman spar urethane, clear gloss – also left over from a project. The table has four coats.
Replies
Man that thing is toooo nice to work on now. Looks great.
Thanks for the compliments.
Slick! (nice job!)
CaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
That's a nice workbench man, and no to mention a GREAT deal on the vice. those can run prety high sometimes
There's enough youth in this world, how 'bout a fountain of SMART??!!
How ya like that Zlyss Vice there on the other bench? I got one and stripped the half nut out first day..made new threads with JB weld.
Nice lil bench ya did there..but way too clean and fancy for the likes of me..LOL
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Welcome to Poo-ville, can I have your socks?
Seriously Folks, I need a home for 3 lovers of your life.
I got the Zyliss about 20 years ago. I recognized that it was delicate and could be easily destroyed if rode hard and put away wet.
So I took care of it. Every part still works like new.
As for the bench - I had big plans for using it, but decided to just clamp other devices on top for a while. I am not ready to pound on the top.
It brings to mind a story about a guy who bought a new pickup. He took it home and then took a sledge to the bed. After that, he was not afraid to use it for work.
I'm thinking about putting a layer of felt on the table and making another table to insert on top of the present one. The top table would absorb all the abuse and be replaced when it gets too ugly. Realistically, as with any other tool, as soon as I really find this table useful for a specific project, it will probably get the standard indocrination.
I use some carpet covered 2x10's about 3' long, I have three currently ( used to be old stair treads) and use them to elevate "stuff" I am sanding or whittlin on ABOVE the bench clutter..then it got so bad that I made a 2x4 trestle ( two ,on edge, with cross ways feet) to lay ANOTHER bench top on..LOL a 3/0x7/0 solid core door slab.
The clutter is then hidden under the door and the door can then hold even MORE clutter. I am ( sadly) not kidding. That is my assembly bench, my vice, hand tool bench has been outta sight for years..evey once in a blue moon, I'll go nuts get half of it uncovered and find all the stuff I just re-bought.
Man, I am a shop slob really bad.
When I do a customers guitar care tho' I switch rooms and work on a carpeted bench and never, ever leave a loose tool or screw on it..one scratch and I will wind up spending a day fixin it for free. Not good.
Oh, back to that vise..I really don't use it much, and I have all the gee-gaws that came with it, the handle always seems to not be in the right orientation, I also broke one of the wing nuts ( cast pot metal) by over tightening it. Good idea, just poorly executed for my style of work.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Welcome to Poo-ville, can I have your socks?Seriously Folks, I need a home for 3 lovers of your life.
I feel your pain with the shop clutter situation. Now and then, I do a massive cleaning of some parts of my domain. This is how I ended up building the workbench. I started with an urge to make more room, and then worked on an idea about how to build a bench which I had wanted to do for years. For the near future, I have gained some space. I don't know how long it will last.
I think the Zyliss is a great tool that has mysteriously disappeared off the market. The Chinese haven't figured out its value yet, evidently. I think I originally paid $150 at the Missouri State Fair. It sells for over twice that now. I think if you search the web, you can find the parts that you need. This tool is worth the effort. In an age of hi-tech electronic tools, folks sometimes don't notice the tools that keep on working and that don't need batteries or power.
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/tls/631698439.html
http://cgi.ebay.com/ZYLISS-VICE-PLANE-BENCH-CLAMP_W0QQitemZ320235163357QQihZ011QQcategoryZ42938QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122
These are two of many sites I found by googling Zyliss.
My Zyliss is part of my core tool collection. These are the tools I treasure most and that will outlive me in great condition.
My hope is that I can get them into the right hands before I kick the bucket, not that I plan to do that anytime soon!
Here's an application for your guitars that you may not be familiar with:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2pRxnhitsE
Here's my favorite alternative use of a guitar :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ45xrtNnzk&feature=related
You can move that sucka into your living room cause it looks so nice. Well maybe. The better half might object.
She won't object. That is one of the reasons we are together. As far back as I can remember, I have had projects going and a corner of the living room set aside for my stuff.
This is my current obstruction.
Great! Keep up the good work. Your craftmanship does shine through.
That is some nice looking furniture in your living room! (the chair is OK looking, too).
View ImageView Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
Ya cant beat something made from scrap, justifies saving all the leftovers!
Well done
Doug