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View Full Version : Hello to all and new workbench piccies...



Vivia
21-09-2009, 10:38 AM
Hello all,

I'm new to the forum and thought I'd pop up and say hello! I should think I'll be saying a lot of what has already been said, but hope you nice people will be patient with a noobie :~:

I live in Northamptonshire and have always done arty crafty type things, but have very recently decided to take up jewellery design and making. So, first things first, I thought: I need THE WORKBENCH.

Handily, the other half is rather talented at woodwork, and although he is more used to fine furniture, he offered to craft me a sturdy workbench for my new hobby. The trouble is now I feel a bit bad about getting it dented/drilled into/even slightly dirty. Having said that, now my new tools have arrived, I think the urge to get on and have fun with them might just overpower this worry pretty soon...!

I'll add pics of the workbench build in the near future :)
Thanks for reading,
Vivia

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00540.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00540.jpg)

In its home:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00541.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00541.jpg)

MuranoSilver
21-09-2009, 10:50 AM
:welcome: to the forum Viva :)
Oooh a workbench build, that will be awesome
Nic xx

MuranoSilver
21-09-2009, 10:55 AM
just post them in your photo album (under your profile) and we can see them there :)

Vivia
21-09-2009, 10:57 AM
Thanks Nic, I'll try that now!

Emerald
21-09-2009, 10:59 AM
Hello all,


Handily, the other half is rather talented at woodwork, and although he is more used to fine furniture, he offered to craft me a sturdy workbench for my new hobby. The trouble is now I feel a bit bad about getting it dented/drilled into/even slightly dirty. Having said that, now my new tools have arrived, I think the urge to get on and have fun with them might just overpower this worry pretty soon...!

I'll add pics of the workbench build in the near future :)
Thanks for reading,
Vivia

Lol take a look at mine its in the piccies of workbench section x


Hi Viva welcome to the forum :~:

Emerald
21-09-2009, 11:00 AM
just post them in your photo album (under your profile) and we can see them there :)

thanks Nick wondered what was going on thought Viva was 'testing, testing'

bustagasket
21-09-2009, 11:01 AM
welcome to the forums from the frum pest too :):~:

Vivia
21-09-2009, 11:02 AM
Few build pictures:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00063-2.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00063-2.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00512.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00512.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00494.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00494.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00501.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00501.jpg)

Vivia
21-09-2009, 11:03 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00518.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00518.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00519.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00519.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00522.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00522.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00525.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00525.jpg)

Vivia
21-09-2009, 11:03 AM
http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab170/Vivia_01/th_DSC00528.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/albums/ab170/Vivia_01/?action=view&current=DSC00528.jpg)


http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab170/Vivia_01/th_DSC00536.jpg (http://s860.photobucket.com/albums/ab170/Vivia_01/?action=view&current=DSC00536.jpg)



Thanks for responses, got the pictures in the post now, will also upload them to my album.

bustagasket
21-09-2009, 11:11 AM
wow thats gonna be one hell of a study bench!! real cool!

ps_bond
21-09-2009, 11:29 AM
That looks really good - and it's given me some more ideas for my next one. Really like the progression of pics on the jointing of the top; I'd been thinking in terms of 2" thick chunks, rather than setting them on edge like that.

Remember - despite it being a lovely piece of goods - it is still a tool, and tools do need modifying from time to time :)

Looking again... I take it that's mortice & tenon on the legs? Any chance of a pic of how the top is attached?
And what timber is the top? And... And... :D

caroleallen
21-09-2009, 11:36 AM
Hello and welcome. That is a lovely bench.

mizgeorge
21-09-2009, 11:37 AM
Hi Vivia and welcome :)

You are lucky to have such a clever OH - I still work on a pench peg clamped to the table ;)

Hope you enjoy using it!

MuranoSilver
21-09-2009, 11:37 AM
Wow - fabulous pictures, love seeing how it's all being put together :)
(little bit smaller if poss though as the last two were HUUUUUGE ;))
Nic x

Vivia
21-09-2009, 12:08 PM
That looks really good - and it's given me some more ideas for my next one. Really like the progression of pics on the jointing of the top; I'd been thinking in terms of 2" thick chunks, rather than setting them on edge like that.

Remember - despite it being a lovely piece of goods - it is still a tool, and tools do need modifying from time to time :)

Looking again... I take it that's mortice & tenon on the legs? Any chance of a pic of how the top is attached?
And what timber is the top? And... And... :D


The legs are mortised into the top and held by gravity plus 6 3.5inch screws into the top through the top leg stretcher. The top is Iroko and the legs are Redwood Pine pinned mortise and tenon. The pins are white oak.

I wouldn't recommend jointing 2" squares, the preferred method is to joint the faces and have the edge grain as your worksurface. There are some great books out there on Workbench design for Woodwork which would and do translate directly into Jewellery bench making as all the same needs are there for a sturdy hard wearing top.

From Vivia's Other Half (I did sign up for my own account to reply but its out for Moderation Approval)

Few more pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00531.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00531.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00532.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00532.jpg)

Vivia
21-09-2009, 12:09 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00515.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00515.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00518.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00518.jpg)

Vivia
21-09-2009, 12:11 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00537.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00537.jpg)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00539.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00539.jpg)

bustagasket
21-09-2009, 12:14 PM
I want itttttttttttttttttttttttt wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Di Sandland
21-09-2009, 12:14 PM
All I can say is wow!

Oh, and welcome ;)

Vivia
21-09-2009, 12:22 PM
What a welcoming bunch, thank you!

I've had a play around with the photos in the posts, so they should now all be thumbnail sized now.

Peter, in answer to your questions and as the OH said the legs are mortice and tenons (pic below), and are pinned together with white oak.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/th_DSC00532.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v621/Chems-/?action=view&current=DSC00532.jpg)

The worktop is made out of Iroko wood, which we bought in the form of old school science desks from the local Education For All Trust, which were then cut up, and thicknessed. You have to be careful when doing woodwork with Iroko though as the dust can cause severe allergic reactions and is apparently carcinogenic. When it was finished the top was given a few coats of Danish Oil to finish it.

Now to find a suitable seat! I'm not sure whether to be looking for a low stool or a high-ish chair though really!

Vivia <:)-

snow_imp
21-09-2009, 12:28 PM
Wow, what an amazing work bench!

And an amazing OH to sort it all out for you.

I'm so envious.

Oh yes, welcome to the forum too :welcome:

Emerald
21-09-2009, 12:32 PM
Lurvely bench, know you have to bash it about a bit to make it looked used x

ps_bond
21-09-2009, 01:01 PM
The legs are mortised into the top and held by gravity plus 6 3.5inch screws into the top through the top leg stretcher. The top is Iroko and the legs are Redwood Pine pinned mortise and tenon. The pins are white oak.

Ah, I'd missed the pins in the photos. Did you slot the stretcher screwholes, or is that not really necessary given the morticed top?


I wouldn't recommend jointing 2" squares, the preferred method is to joint the faces and have the edge grain as your worksurface.

I shall go back and re-read Frid as penance :) My current one is pine, MDF and ply; it's more of a tinkering space to see what I want out of the next bench I make.

Thanks for the warning on the iroko - sounds like much the same as most of the tropical hardwoods on that one. Lovely stuff for a bench though! I have some old lab benchtops around that may be a mahogany of some sort...

Emerald
21-09-2009, 01:23 PM
What a welcoming bunch, thank you!


The worktop is made out of Iroko wood, which we bought in the form of old school science desks from the local Education For All Trust, which were then cut up, and thicknessed. You have to be careful when doing woodwork with Iroko though as the dust can cause severe allergic reactions and is apparently carcinogenic. When it was finished the top was given a few coats of Danish Oil to finish it.


Vivia <:)-

hi, i maybe being totally daft here please feel free to say so but... if you are going to using this bench for torchwork etc etc then is this wood a good idea or is it just the dust that causes a problem? x

Lindyloo
21-09-2009, 01:49 PM
OMG, just popped in on this post. I looove your bench. And I'm so jealous that you have a handy OH. Mine is hopeless. I do more of the DIY around here than he does - thanks to growing up watching my dad. He was an engineer, and rather handy.

Will you keep the bench in the garage, or do you have a room for it in the house? Just nosey... and incredibly envious.

Di Sandland
21-09-2009, 01:50 PM
Jo, as far as I'm aware, its just the dust. Nasty stuff Iroko dust, beautiful hard wearing wood tho

Vivia
21-09-2009, 02:56 PM
Di's onto it, it's the fine airborne dust from machining the wood itself that is potentially harmful, but it is a very hard wearing wood and quite common. As I mentioned earlier in its previous life this wood was used for school science benches. Obviously anyone wanting to use it themselves should research the subject though, I'm sure allergies to this sort of wood dust probably varies as much as any other allergy!

Anne, George and Linda- thank you for your comments, shall pass them on to OH (although he's probably lurking around here itching to join in), who will be thrilled to be described as handy. Linda, for the time being the bench will have to stay in the garage as there's just no room in the house. The spider's in my garage just won't know what's hit them. Do most people have their work areas in their houses or somewhere else?

Peter- not quite sure what you mean, do you mean is it slotted to allow for movement in the top?


Vivia

ps_bond
21-09-2009, 03:07 PM
Peter- not quite sure what you mean, do you mean is it slotted to allow for movement in the top?

Yup, precisely what I mean - sorry for being obtuse.

Vivia
21-09-2009, 05:25 PM
The 3 screws are places close to the center to allow the wood to move out from that point, the mortise are loose to allow for movement also. The wood is so old and has been acclimatising in planked form for nearly a year that its a little irrelevant with this piece as its so stable. Slotting would be idea for a top thats newly machined or a wood thats more prone to movement such as beech which is a common favorite for worktops. If you don't have all the tools and know how to do this I'd recommend having a look at Ikea's worktops, they look quite good and are reasonably priced.

Rustic Charm
21-09-2009, 06:12 PM
hello and welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:~:

lorraineflee
22-09-2009, 03:51 PM
Hi and welcome, the bench looks brilliant! Whereabouts in Northants are you? We seem to be getting a few of us in this area now!
Lorraine

agent_44
22-09-2009, 03:58 PM
Hi Vivia and welcome to the forum. Your new bench looks brilliant! I'd love to getone made like this but lacking the skills and knowledge I shall be buying one in a few weeks. Yours looks like it will last forever though!

Vivia
22-09-2009, 06:47 PM
Thank you! Lorraine I'm near the Daventry area, west Northamptonshire. Very handy for getting out Rugby way too!

If you wanted Lucinda I could ask OH if he could give you a quote for making you a similar bench to mine if you wanted. No worries either way, OH enjoyed making mine and I get the feeling he'd like another jewellers bench project to get stuck into.

Now, I did mean to ask if anyone could give me any tips on what sort of seating to have at the bench? As it's workbench sort of height (about 900mm) it's a toss up between a stool that can be adjusted down and a chair that can be adjusted up. Anyone got any pearls of wisdom?

agent_44
22-09-2009, 06:52 PM
If you wanted Lucinda I could ask OH if he could give you a quote for making you a similar bench to mine if you wanted. No worries either way, OH enjoyed making mine and I get the feeling he'd like another jewellers bench project to get stuck into.

That's a very tempting idea, but I think you are probably a bit too far from me. Also the bench is actually a belated birthday present from my OH, I've not get it yet because I am moving in with him in three weeks and I think he plans on getting it for me when the house is uptogether and straight, and I am not supposed to be having anything to do with it now he knows what I want!

Vivia
22-09-2009, 06:56 PM
Oooh exciting though! Will you have it in the new house or are you -like me- based somewhere more, well, 'close to nature's inspirations' (aka, the garage)?

agent_44
22-09-2009, 07:00 PM
Well it'll have to be in the house, because the garage is rammed full! We've manage to work it so the front room will become a studio primarily for me to work from but also for him to use as well, for his drawing, macro photography and general computer stuff. It means we have to try and turn the other reception room into a lounge/diner but we think we can do it, and we plan on buying somewhere bigger in a few years time so I can definitely cope with it!

snow_imp
23-09-2009, 07:22 AM
Wow, I'd love a bench like yours, but I don't have anyway to put it really.

Moved into the house 2 years ago - still haven't got round to sorting out the spare room! It's supposed to have a bed going into it, but now I just want to set it up as a jewellery making studio :'(

MuranoSilver
23-09-2009, 07:30 AM
Lol Snow Imp your ought to get Vivia's other half to make you a "pull out bed bench" - now that is a design possibility :-D
Nic xx

Di Sandland
23-09-2009, 07:49 AM
Lol Snow Imp your ought to get Vivia's other half to make you a "pull out bed bench" - now that is a design possibility :-D
Nic xx

In my 'addicted to 60 minute makeover' period I lusted after one of those beds that are heavily disguised as a desk. It even came with shelving and the best bit, for me anyway, was the fact that you didn't have to tidy the desk before transforming it into a bed, which was achieved with just a quick pull (or it might have been a push).

snow_imp
23-09-2009, 07:58 AM
Lol Snow Imp your ought to get Vivia's other half to make you a "pull out bed bench" - now that is a design possibility :-D
Nic xx


In my 'addicted to 60 minute makeover' period I lusted after one of those beds that are heavily disguised as a desk. It even came with shelving and the best bit, for me anyway, was the fact that you didn't have to tidy the desk before transforming it into a bed, which was achieved with just a quick pull (or it might have been a push).

Oh yes please - that would be sooooo perfect. I could even pretend that guests are welcome in the house that way too. :dance: