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Bob’s Bench-Free Video, DVD and SketchUp Model
Posted on August 27, 2008 by chris.schwarz@fwpubs.com (Chris Schwarz).
Categories: Contributors, Woodworking.
Categories: Contributors, Woodworking.
Our October issue is reaching subscribers, and should be on newsstands soon.
The cover story is about my new workbench, a blend of historic designs that is an
ideal work holding solution for hand and power tool woodworkers alike. I've written
about it here on the blog as I designed it,
and during
construction. I'm happy with it-it's nice and solid and will hold just about any
piece of work for any task.
I designed the bench using Google SketchUp, a 3-D modeling program that I've been using for the last year or so. The nice thing about using SketchUp is it's similarity to building something, without the dust and the noise. You can put things together, take them back apart, and quickly make changes or see what different variations will look like. My upcoming book features a lengthy section on using the program for designing cabinets and furniture, and I'll be teaching a course or two on using it effectively next year. The price is also right-it's available as a free download by clicking here.
These two images were taken from my SketchUp model of the bench. If you have SketchUp on your computer, you can download the Sketchup model of the workbench and take a closer look from any angle you want to. If you want to build a version of the bench that differs in size, you can start with my model and make whatever modifications you would like. The model is compressed as a .zip file, but it's easy to open it on almost any computer. Download the SketchUp model by clicking this link: WorkbenchModel.zip (332.76 KB)
The model is also available on Google's 3Dwarehouse. You can download it in SketchUp (.skp) format by clicking here.
We also had the video camera running during the building process, and we have an hour-long DVD available in our store. In addition to the video content, there is a printed set of construction drawings, an enhanced PDF version of the article, a PDF slide show of additional step photos, and the SketchUp model on the disk. Finally, there is a free five-minute video available showing some of the many ways to hold work on the bench. This video is available by clicking here.
If you have any questions or comments, you can post them here on the blog by clicking "comment" in the lower right, or you can send me an e-mail by clicking on my name.
--Bob Lang
I designed the bench using Google SketchUp, a 3-D modeling program that I've been using for the last year or so. The nice thing about using SketchUp is it's similarity to building something, without the dust and the noise. You can put things together, take them back apart, and quickly make changes or see what different variations will look like. My upcoming book features a lengthy section on using the program for designing cabinets and furniture, and I'll be teaching a course or two on using it effectively next year. The price is also right-it's available as a free download by clicking here.
These two images were taken from my SketchUp model of the bench. If you have SketchUp on your computer, you can download the Sketchup model of the workbench and take a closer look from any angle you want to. If you want to build a version of the bench that differs in size, you can start with my model and make whatever modifications you would like. The model is compressed as a .zip file, but it's easy to open it on almost any computer. Download the SketchUp model by clicking this link: WorkbenchModel.zip (332.76 KB)
The model is also available on Google's 3Dwarehouse. You can download it in SketchUp (.skp) format by clicking here.
We also had the video camera running during the building process, and we have an hour-long DVD available in our store. In addition to the video content, there is a printed set of construction drawings, an enhanced PDF version of the article, a PDF slide show of additional step photos, and the SketchUp model on the disk. Finally, there is a free five-minute video available showing some of the many ways to hold work on the bench. This video is available by clicking here.
If you have any questions or comments, you can post them here on the blog by clicking "comment" in the lower right, or you can send me an e-mail by clicking on my name.
--Bob Lang
Episode 61- IWF 2008
Download Low Resolution Download High Resolution Although for me, IWF was about representing my sponsors and meeting up with readers/viewers, nearly everyone else has one thing on their mind: tools. So we did our best to get some footage of the most talked about tools of the show. I know we missed quite a few (specifically, Jet’s new oscillating drum sander). But with our tight schedule and impending exhaustion, we did the best we could. Nothing fancy, nothing funny, just tools! Here are the companies we visited: Leigh, Blum Tool Co., Ex-Factory, DeWalt, Powermatic, Delta, and Laguna. For more IWF coverage, check out these great resources: Fine Woodworking Editors Blog Popular Woodworking BlogAncient Bench Built from Modern Materials
Posted on August 21, 2008 by chris.schwarz@fwpubs.com (Chris Schwarz).
Categories: Contributors, Woodworking.
Categories: Contributors, Woodworking.
Planemaker Gary Blum introduced a new workbench
design for sale here at the International Woodworking Fair. Well, it’s not really
fair to call it new. The base design is a couple hundred years old, but Blum has added
Baltic Birch plywood, bronze bushings and pipe clamps to make it a thoroughly modern
bench.
The bench looks like the English-style workbench immortalized in Peter Nicholson’s
“Mechanic’s Companion” of the 19th century. It is essentially a torsion box on top
of some stiff legs.
The top of Blum’s ingenious bench is also a torsion box made from 3/4” Baltic birch
plywood throughout – the front apron is actually a sandwich of two layers of Baltic
birch. Below the torsion box top is a set of red-oak legs and stretchers joined with
bolts, which allow the bench to be knocked down. The legs are angled out to give the
bench a firm stance.
Weighing in at about 240 pounds, the bench is 24” deep and 6’ long, though Gary says
he will make the bench 7’ or 8’ long upon request. The user also can specify the height
of the bench.
The most clever aspect of the bench is how Blum incorporated Jorgensen pipe clamps
into the design to work as the face vise and the end vise.
In the face vise position, Blum built a twin-screw vise by placed two pipe clamps
in bronze bushings on 18” centers. The clamps press a large removable wooden chop
against the front edge of the benchtop. You might be wondering if pipe clamps have
enough throw to be useful as a woodworking vise. They don’t. If you need to clamp
really thick work, the pipe clamps can be slid out and locked in position to hold
thick stock.
Blum put a similar clamping system on the end of the bench, but he also incorporated
a dog system into the end vise so you can clamp panels to your benchtop between dogs.
The base model of the bench will cost about $995. Longer versions will cost more.
I got to work with the bench for about 15 minutes today and was very impressed. It
is a solid bench, and the torsion box will ensure that the top remains rigid and flat
(unless you leave your bench out in the rain).
So for those woodworkers looking for a solid English-style bench, drop Blum
a line. It’s a heck of a deal at that price.
— Christopher Schwarz
Another Fool Proof Finish? - Question of the Week
This week’s question comes from Craig, The Ham Handed Wood Savage, who writes: I’m trying this “fool proof” oil and wax finish that I learned from the Fine Woodworking site. I think I might have managed to mess it up. The boiled linseed oil seems tacky to the touch, and it doesn’t look so good. Any idea what might have gone wrong? I flooded the surface, waited approximately one hour and wiped the excess off just like FW said, but it just doesn’t look right. The wood is mahogany, I was just doing a sample piece so I’m not committed yet. I think I know what your recommendation for a finish will be…an oil varnish blend? I’m not completely against this solution but I would probably prefer to go with 3 coats of Gen Finishes seal-a-cell wiped on and leave it at that. What do you think about this approach? I think it might just work being that the wood is mahogany and as such has its own natural beauty. And this is my response: Hey Craig. While oil and wax is indeed a very easy to apply finish, I don’t typically recommend it. Sure it makes the wood “look” finished for a time, but the reality is that the wood has very little protection at all. In my opinion, oil and wax is really just one small step above using nothing at all. And because the wax will eventually look dull, it will need some maintenance to keep things looking fresh. To make matters worse, the reapplication of wax can lead to wax buildup. And what do you get for all this extra effort? A finish that has no abrasion resistance and very little moisture resistance. A raw deal if you ask me. I’d rather go naked. Now to specifically answer your question. Boiled linseed oil will remain tacky for quite some time and requires you to revisit the piece every few hours to wipe off any standing oil. Sometimes it likes to seep out of the pores in open-pored woods like oak and ash, so these woods require even more attention. Also, if you are working with a naturally oily wood like padauk, teak, rosewood, bloodwood, among others, the boiled linseed oil will have some serious curing issues. I would guess that you are looking for a decent level of protection and durability, yes? But you obviously want things to be as simple as possible. You mentioned Seal-a-Cell and I would honestly say skip it. My recommendation would be to go right to the more durable big brother, Arm-R-Seal. Seal-a-Cell really isn’t going to bring anything extra to the party. If you wipe on a few light coats, you can still manage to get that close-to-the-wood natural look, while having more protection than you would ever get from an oil, wax, or even an oil/varnish blend. Not to mention it requires one product and a simple wiping application method. And best of all, no long-term maintenance. *** A commercial from me :) *** Emails just like this one from Craig are what inspired me create my DVD, A Simple Varnish Finish. My goal was to demystify finishing by simplifying the process and showing you details that are typically glossed over in other videos. So if you are interested, check it out in our store.
