Shopsmith Forums

So I'm now to the point of making or should I say remaking the bench that came with my 10ER. The bench was not made to the plans or perhaps one of the previous owners decided to take a different path???

Anyway, the bench is longer then it needs to be and the ends were not cut square or even so I'd like to trim it to a length of 57-1/2" which I believe is the correct length.

The bench is also wider then it needs to be. It had a sheet of plywood covering the back and the supports were notch in the wood base so as to allow that.

I really don't want it over sized but I'm unsure of the width I need. The instructions talk about the same width as the metal legs but my metal legs are in storage at the moment. I will rip the back board to get rid of the notches which were poorly done. This should still allow the width I need even if I end up with a space between the boards. (Presently it has no space)

If someone could tell me that width it would be great.

The bench was not in good shape and even after filling the holes, removing most of the red paint and sanding it down I'm not happy with it. Oil stains and really deep scar remain. I plan to put a plywood (MDO) top over the boards to get the look I want. I need to cut that to length and width but again I need a width to cut to.

The old wood will remain so if the next owner wants to make use of them and ditch the MDO they can.

So what is the width I need?

Any one see any problems with what I want to do?

Ed

Are you going to use your metal legs, Ed? If not, the drawing at the link below may answer your questions.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/338/15151_s.png

Otherwise I can measure my metal-leg benches when I get home this evening.

BuckeyeDennis wrote:Are you going to use your metal legs, Ed? If not, the drawing at the link below may answer your questions.

http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/338/15151_s.png

Otherwise I can measure my metal-leg benches when I get home this evening.

Yes mine has the metal legs and casters. The two boards measure 15-7/16". I need to trim at least 1/4" off to clear up the insets. However the MDO can be what ever the ideal width is and the two boards can have a gap in the middle if need be.

Ed

The proper length according to the instructions that came with the metal ends is 57". If you have a 10ER with the older longer rounded end pivot base that will change.

I am not sure why you are asking how wide to make it since you are not following the metal leg instructions. You can make it any width you want. The original instructions call for 2X8's. They are 7 1/2" wide and the metal legs are 15 1/4" wide. That allows for a 1/4" gap in the center.

I made my top out of 6/4 Popular and made the pieces 58" long and 8" wide. That makes a 1/2" overhang on both width and length. That is a Skip Campbell'ism. I really like it.

I just reread your post. As I said the metal legs are 15 1/4" wide. I guess that is really what you were asking. Again, I like the slight overhang.

My two wooden benches (no metal legs) are both 18" x 57". They both have the later, squared off, pivot bases, and I think the benches could be a couple of inches shorter yet.

When I built the first bench I made it 60 inches per the blueprint but it was too long so I cut it down.

The thing I like about the benches with wooden legs is that I can make them the perfect height for me.

jsburger wrote: I just reread your post. As I said the metal legs are 15 1/4" wide. I guess that is really what you were asking. Again, I like the slight overhang.

Where are your angle supports? I don't see them in the picture.

As it turns out when I trim the back board I'm left with 15-1/4 so that will work out nicely.

I too like your and skips rounded corners but mine will not have that. If I were going with new wood I think that is a nice improvement and would make the effort.

Heading out to cut to 57" long and trim to 15-1/4", thank you!

Ed

reible wrote:

jsburger wrote: I just reread your post. As I said the metal legs are 15 1/4" wide. I guess that is really what you were asking. Again, I like the slight overhang.

Where are your angle supports? I don't see them in the picture.

As it turns out when I trim the back board I'm left with 15-1/4 so that will work out nicely.

I too like your and skips rounded corners but mine will not have that. If I were going with new wood I think that is a nice improvement and would make the effort.

Heading out to cut to 57" long and trim to 15-1/4", thank you!

Ed

OOPs. As you can see from the previous picture the base plate is not bolted down. I guess I just put the hardware on the top to take the picture. Here is one with the braces and the end rests bolted on..

rpd wrote:My two wooden benches (no metal legs) are both 18" x 57". They both have the later, squared off, pivot bases, and I think the benches could be a couple of inches shorter yet.

When I built the first bench I made it 60 inches per the blueprint but it was too long so I cut it down.

The thing I like about the benches with wooden legs is that I can make them the perfect height for me.

I am sure that was because of the longer pivot base that the blue print came with the first 10E's shipped.

Nice looking bench, John.