Workbench Progess

[ssmith1627]

I know, the never ending workbench. Give me a break, I've only been working on it for 5 months now.....haha.

Got the rest of the drawers built and installed. And took the plunge into the polyurethane coating after doing some trial pieces. Was a lot easier than I expected. Gotta continue sanding on the rest before continuing.

So two cabinet doors to go, a lot of sanding and the rest of the PU coatings.

http://ssmith1627.myphotoalbum.com/v...album01&page=7

http://ssmith1627.myphotoalbum.com/v...album01&page=8

Steve

[dlminehart]

Looking good, Steve! Must have been exciting to put that first coat of poly on, as it really makes the wood come alive.

[ddamoore]

Kudos!

Looking good, Steve. I am inspired to finish mine.

[MikeCrosa]

Nice looking bench

Great looking bench. I hope mine when I finally start and finish it looks half as good. Question. I see that you installed 6 casters on the bench and that when it is right side up, the casters disappear. How do you have the bench stay in place? Is there a way to engage the caster locks that is not apparent?

Thanks,

Mike

[ssmith1627]

Thanks guys. I'm really inching along but this is my first real project so I'm learning as I go and working to remodel a house at the same time. Then there's that pesky job I have to attend every day ! haha

I'm following a plan from Family Handyman from last December. Yes, six casters underneath and spaced inside so they don't bind with the frame of the base. They're mostly hidden by the oak trim that runs around the bottom. It can be a challenge moving something around with 6 casters, none of which are fixed. A different set of issues from the base for my BT which has two of the wheels fixed. Pro's and con's for each.

The article shows for you to use 4 wedges, one under each corner, to just hold the casters off the floor. But I have yet to see a need for it. I use the bench just about every day and it's also my outfeed table and it just doesn't move. The weight of it alone holds it in place. It's probably 300 or 400 lbs empty and more than that with all the drawers loaded up. It just doesn't budge.

The fun part will be if I end up MOVING. Got a call this week about a job over in Charlotte. I'm sure the movers will just be THRILLED when they see it !

Steve

[bigsteel15]

Then there's that pesky job I have to attend every day ! haha

Ditto!! although I seem to find more time for here at work than at home.

The fun part will be if I end up MOVING. Got a call this week about a job over in Charlotte. I'm sure the movers will just be THRILLED when they see it !

That's why they get the big bucks. At least your shop will be the one area where you'll know they can't break anything.
Better make sure the new employer pays for the move.

[atgcpaul]

I know, the never ending workbench. Give me a break, I've only been working on it for 5 months now.....haha.

Got the rest of the drawers built and installed. And took the plunge into the polyurethane coating after doing some trial pieces. Was a lot easier than I expected. Gotta continue sanding on the rest before continuing.

So two cabinet doors to go, a lot of sanding and the rest of the PU coatings.

http://ssmith1627.myphotoalbum.com/v...album01&page=7

http://ssmith1627.myphotoalbum.com/v...album01&page=8

Steve

Nice bench. I think your base cabinet and the one I did are from the same
plans. Deja vu. However, I slapped mine together in a weekend with a
torsion top whereas yours looks much nicer.

Paul

[ssmith1627]

There were a bunch of people there for a while talking about building this same bench. I'm not sure how far anyone else got or how closely they followed the plans. Would love to see any pictures you have.

It really has no complex joinery at all. If you can make a lot of precise (relatively) cuts in 2x4's and plywood, you can build this bench. The cost certainly added up as I went forward which is part of the reason for building it slowly. But very useful result for me. Having the vises and the dog holes is very handy. All the storage space is great. A huge worksurface that also gives me a huge outfeed table.

And I might actually be done with the thing in the next couple of weeks ! But after Ken's table, I won't be posting pics in the finished project forum.....LOL

Steve

[cabinetman]

If you're at all like me, my first real bench was so nice I didn't want to do work on it. Your is more like a piece of furniture. Great looking pictures.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[ssmith1627]

Yeah, I don't want the cat jumping up and sitting on it now -- I had to put up signs....haha.

I'm ready to get that poly on the top. I use the bench for this and that just about every day. And I feel like I have to sand it again each time there's any kind of stain on it. Good thing I started out with it 3 inches thick !

Thanks for the compliment. I'm happy since this is my first big project. But it surely doesn't compare to some of these amazing posts on this forum. I'm about 6 months into my education here and have a long way to go.

Steve

[mater]

Very good progress. It looks great.