My bench

10/1/04, 11:41 AM #1

Matti Kuikka
Guest

My bench

Matti Kuikka

>In an earlier post I said that one should lower the threshold towards bench-making so here http://www.fine-tools.com/G10015.htm is my bench when it was made. And below is now. It is 85cm high as is my wrist, 180cm long and the working surface exluding the tray is 40cm wide. The thickness is after the initial and one upkeep-levelling 9cm. After the first thorough oiling with BLO it has been oiled maybe for times. The vise has a third pair of jaws and in need of another. I have for jaws tried oak, african pallet "mahogany" and next probably beech. Boy do they split and wear in my hands. After adding an oak plank that rests on the leg upright as the bench side jaw to the leg vise it has worked very well.

Next I'll probably add an end planing stop and a removable chisel stand.

BTW the planes are "handmade"

Matti Kuikka

Re: My bench

10/1/04, 12:25 PM #2

jim_reed@marietta
Guest

Nice bench!

jim_reed@marietta

>Where's the shavings?

Re: My bench

10/1/04, 5:20 PM #3

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
Master Craftsman
Offline
3,699 posts

Registered: 1/5/04

Nice bench...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>How is the leg vice attached to the bench at the bottom? Is it adjustable? Personally I think your shop is way too clean;). I love the wood floor must be nice to work on.

Re: My bench

10/1/04, 6:23 PM #4

Matti Kuikka
Guest

Re: Nice bench...

Matti Kuikka

>Thank you both. There is an oak strecher attached to the botttom of the leg vise which slides along the floor through the bench leg. In the strecher a series of holes are bored diagonal line after diagonal line so that a 6" nail can be used as a stop at 0,5cm intervals. The nail gets bent so it's quite an interesting shape after continuous hammering to straighten it. As to the floor it's my best investment in the shop. It's warm, it's easy to slide the bench on and it's especially nice and understanding when you drop a valuable blade on it.

Matti Kuikka

Re: My bench

10/1/04, 6:23 PM #5

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA
Master Craftsman
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3,699 posts

Registered: 1/5/04

Thanks!

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>

Re: My bench

10/2/04, 12:41 AM #6

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine
Guest

Re: My bench

Todd O. Cronkhite Native of Maine

>I liie it as well Matti, tho I'd hace to add drawers beneath it to provide storage of tools, but that's me.

Anything you wish it has but hasen't?

That's that piece at the far end laying perpendicular to the tool tray?

Are those holdfast handmade?

One of your planes looks like a whale. Was that on purpose or accidentail?

Thanks for sharing

Todd O.

Re: My bench

10/2/04, 7:55 PM #7

Matti Kuikka
Guest

Re: My bench

Matti Kuikka

>Hi Todd,

"Anything you wish it has but hasen't?"

Within reason I'll put it there, thats why I like a self made bench that isn't too nice.

"That's that piece at the far end laying perpendicular to the tool tray?"

It's a shooting board with stops at both ends, opposite faces. I use it for sawing, too. I use mainly pull saws and planes.

"Are those holdfast handmade?"

Yes.

"One of your planes looks like a whale. Was that on purpose or accidentail?"

Hadn't noticed before because it's not so apparent in reality. The shape came from using a japanese blade/chip breaker/pin which I wanted to have as much back support as possible. Then I found that it would be nice if the shavings came out, too and had to cut the sides a bit AND then I found that now I had better lateral adjustment.

"Thanks for sharing"

Thanks for caring.

Matti

Re: My bench

10/2/04, 8:03 PM #8

Dan Donaldson
Master Craftsman
Offline
5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

LOL;-)

Dan Donaldson

>You said: "Then I found that it would be nice if the shavings came out, too and had to cut the sides a bit AND then I found that now I had better lateral adjustment. "

That is one of the best lines that I have heard in a long time.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: My bench

10/2/04, 10:37 PM #9

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs
Guest

Re: My bench

Frank Mutchler in Colorado Springs

>Todd, if you think it looks like a whale now, you should have seen it before Matti cut a hole for the shavings to come out! ;>)

Great bench and great comments, Matti.

Re: My bench

10/3/04, 7:58 AM #10

Matti Kuikka
Guest

Re: LOL;-)

Matti Kuikka

>Thanks Dan, what a compliment on my foolery. Wow ;>)

Matti

My bench

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