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+-- Thread: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure (/showthread.php?tid=3058880)
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - Crooked Tail - 10-06-2007
Although I'm still working on the base, I'm also planning the cabinet, since of course the cabinet will sit in the base.
What do you guys think of this design? I am thinking of using maple for the sides, with about 2" of purpleheart laminated at each edge. The purpose is 95% aesthetic, the remaining 5% is because maple costs less (at least at 4/4 anyway). It will make the dovetails show at the sides, yet from the front and back of the cabinet, the carcase will appear to be all purpleheart. Would I be inviting splitting because of differing rates of wood movement? If so, how could I eliminate / minimize that?
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - Crooked Tail - 10-07-2007
Well, I got all the legs, feet, and arms milled. I'll round the corners tomorrow hopefully and then get started on the joinery. Family obligations for the rest of today.
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - Crooked Tail - 10-10-2007
OK, I'm about to start on the joinery for workbench base version 2. The parts are the same size as before: 3.5" square. Now I recall the trouble I had last time. My "deepest" backsaw is only 2 1/4" deep. I guess I'll have to cut the tenons extra wide, because the rigid part of the backsaw will cause the blade to angle inward after 2.25" deep. Then I'll have to finish with chisels.
Or is there a better way?
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - mpphoto - 10-10-2007
Crooked Tail said:
Or is there a better way?
I consider the bandsaw a "galoot-friendly" tailed tool.
Michael
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - LENPAM - 10-10-2007
I agree the bandsaw is a quick and easy way to make tenons,especially large ones.I still do the shoulder cuts first with a good hand saw to make sure their nice and square but the bandsaw saves a lot of time cutting away the faces.Len
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - Funky Space Cowboy - 10-10-2007
You could start the cut with the back saw and then switch to a panel saw after an inch or so to finish the cut. I keep my Sorby kangaroo saw with almost no set in the teeth for just such occasions. I keep the blade waxed to prevent it from binding up on me.
I'm still on the lookout for a deeper backsaw or a halfback to take over that role though, but this works really well in the meantime.
Cheers,
Josh
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - Crooked Tail - 10-10-2007
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Using the bandsaw hadn't even occurred to me. I'm a little worried about accuracy with it, though. It is not (yet) tuned to the point where I really would want to use it for joinery. I may be just as well off using a panel saw.
Boy, this is tempting, but I've already blown my tool budget for this month!
The 14 incher would be juuuuussst riiiiiiight.
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - mpphoto - 10-10-2007
Well they say size doesn't matter but I just gt a pair of 14 inchers myself for exactly the same purpose; to cut the joinery for my bench legs. Sadly I haven't had time to do it yet but hopefully soon.
I posted these in another thread, from member Ed in Oakville.
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - Crooked Tail - 10-10-2007
Those are beautiful! And a pair no less... I think you deserve a big YOU SUCK!
Re: CT's Most Excellent Workbench Adventure - Crooked Tail - 10-16-2007
All the mortises are finally finished (hey, I was out of town). Now to start in on the tenons. Unfortunately, unlike some people... I don't have the luxury of custom tenon saws. So, it looks like I'm going to be using a backsaw and panel saw combination, and probably a decent amount of chisel work cleaning up.
I drilled out most of the mortises, then chiseled out the waste with some Stanley Fat Max chisels I just got. Don't worry, I'm not trying to use them as if they were mortise chisels. I'm actually fairly impressed with them. They were easy to sharpen, and stayed sharp longer than I expected. Of course, this is poplar so it is pretty soft. I haven't tried them out in purpleheart yet.
No chisels were harmed in the making of these mortises.