The Morning Woodworker

Woodworking Workbench Construction Pt. 1

In earlier posts I had talked about getting the “Bench Horse” from Blum Tool Co. I also considered the “X-Bench” from Skil as suggested by my Dad. While both would have served my purpose in the apartment, I decided to build my own. I have to say, however, that I was ready to buy the “Bench Horse” because that I thought that it would handle hand tool work better than the X-Bench and that I would be able to use it when I go back home. But… being that I am a “woodworker” and I should be able to build a workbench instead of taking the easy way out and buying one, I decided to build one.

After making a rough plan of the kind of bench that I wanted I went to Lowes and purchased 6 2×10x120 in. Southern Yellow Pine boards and had the guys at Lowes cut them in half so that it would be easier for me to load and carry them through the stair cases at the apartment. They were still “wet” of coarse so I bought some furring strips to use as sticker boards to dry the pine out. Once I loaded them into my bedroom I got started cutting the furring strips to length. I used a Japanese pull saw to cut the strips into 10 in. length. This was my first time using this saw and I have to say that it worked quite well. I half-assed cut them and they came out square. Nice!

I had to turn the ceiling fan off so that I didn’t get sawdust everywhere and I promptly vacuumed up the sawdust after cutting the furring strips. After cutting the furring strips I stacked the board up to dry.

I haven’t quit made up my mind as to what style of bench I am going to make but it will be very simple. I don’t even know if I am going to install a vise on it. I may just use a couple of Bessy’s to clamp any work to the bench. So whatever style of bench I choose to make, it will be very “clamp-able”.

I don’t know how long it is going to take for the boards to dry but I sure wish they “wood” hurry up. I need to get this bench built so I can do other stuff. While I am waiting though, I will be surfing the web deciding on what kind of hand tools I should get. That should keep me busy.