Shopsmith Forums

Here’s my first real project on my “new” 10ER. I decided since I have a capable woodworking power tool I need a woodworking work bench. The top is 12 2x4’s glued and screwed to make a 3.5x18 inch beam. It’s rough and unfinished, but I think it will work for my purposes. Ripping all the lumber (except the legs) out of 2x12’s gave me ample time to get acquainted with the table saw function.

are you planing on flattening the top ? if so what method ?

Yes, I’ve got a couple jack planes coming.

I wanted to do the top without screws to leave room for future dogs and hold-downs, but I have no good way to clamp something that wide. Also, I wanted to get it done and get to building things on it rather than shopping for clamps (plus I'm cheap). However, I put the screws at measured consistent locations, so I'll know where they are and can drill around them.

I built a workbench from a 1 3/4", 30" wide and 8' long solid core wood internal door (without any cut outs) mounted on 4x4 posts notched for spreaders. Very solid, smooth and I drilled dog holes. Mounted Rockler's retractable casters to move it around in my garage.
Just my idea.
Danny

Will you camber the iron on one of the #5's.
Makes it easy to remove material quickly to flatten the top.
I did that with a #4 when I built my workbench. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12550

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_96gNMMc_g[/youtube]

The iron on the number 5 came somewhat cambered, and I've got it set for a relatively deep shaving. I'll have to get a picture of the leveled bench up.

After a long wait (but I doubt with bated breath ), here’s a picture of the bench with flattened top. It’s not perfect, but I can always work on it some more.

It is coming along nicely.

Who said that flattery would get you nowhere.

I have to laugh, when I was first starting out in wood working I built a work bench you could have dropped a 350 V8 engine on it from 2 feet above it and it would have never moved. It looked just like the one above. Over time and after moving a few times my benches slowly evolved into benches that used engineering instead of bulk to accomplish a lot of what I was looking for in a bench. Today I have a bench made from a bowling alley that had each board nailed to next with square cut nails going through three boards. Sounds ideal except I can't safely bore through it or rout grooves with running the chance of hitting a nail. In truth most of my “workbench” work is done on a workmate or a large piece of lacquered ply across two saw horses.