Behind the Scenes: Minimum Timber Bench Pt.2
Added 2022-09-19 20:19:14 +0000 UTCFriends:
Here's Part 2 of my prototyping series, in which I discuss the legs, laminated construction, and how using machine tools affects the final product.
Just like last time, I'll post more pictures as an update in the build thread. I'm going to go do that right now, so if you don't see my new post, just give me a few minutes.
The work goes on and I'm glad you can join me!
--Rex
Comments
The one part of the video I didn’t understand was the idea that hand tool method would laminate first then cut notches because it would be fewer cuts. The leg essentially requires two bits of wood. If I were to laminate first I have three cuts to make and if I make a mistake I have a bigger problem. If I cut first I only have two cuts to make. I can use a scrap piece to space the two bits apart. If I make a mistake I have useable pieces without breaking apart glue joints and cleaning it up. That assumes the long uncut piece separates from the bad two bits without major damage, and that is not a forgone conclusion.
Todd Maurer
2022-10-01 11:35:18 +0000 UTCOf course you are correct ... differnt methods and different tools will cause your design and product to change. As a recent convert to handtools (after 40 years of using power tools), I approach problems differently than I did. My second comment. Since I live where ruff cut white pine is easy to get and inexpensive I use it a lot. Frankly you are not going to break a decent white pine 4x4 . I have built small buildings with white pine, mostly 2x4 but also larger wood and there are no strutural problems. OK, like any wood, there are some boards that are not useable. Large working sailboat masts where routinely made from white pine. The biggest issue with white pine (other than too many knots) is it is soft, does not make a good table top, but for legs and alike it works great.
Nicholas Loy
2022-09-22 00:25:46 +0000 UTCInteresting topic, the comparison of hand tool and machine tool products. You were my original inspiration on hand tool woodworking and I have since veered off into guitar building, using mostly hand tools. Most serious luthiers rely on band saws, drum thickness sanders, routers and Dremels, orbital sanders on their builds, and I have found hand tool workarounds for most of these. The build process is far more pleasing to me, no need for safety glasses, ear plugs, dust handling systems or for the most part respirators. I'm slower but much less stressed, nothing like routing channels for binding your newly closed guitar box to spike your blood pressure! Keep up the hand tool vibe, it's so well suited to low impact, low investment, and high pleasure woodworking;)
John Griswold
2022-09-21 15:45:28 +0000 UTCI also used the lamination, with cut-outs in the legs, while building Paul Sellers' multiplex workbench (by hand). I must say it is quite easy to make mistakes there (cutting the wrong bit of the wood). Putting them on top of each other, marking which bits need to go and then cutting appropriately like you suggest, would have saved me a few mistakes and a lot of time. I had no trouble cutting them accurate (enough) though, even as a beginning wood worker.
Wouter Engels
2022-09-21 12:07:40 +0000 UTCJust curious - did you think about ripping the roundovers off for the machine tool build so that it looks better?
John Hiemstra
2022-09-21 00:11:44 +0000 UTCagreed another plus point not mentioned...you dont need the full length of the laminated parts so if you got a bunch of 6" cuttoffs of 2x4's you can do that also instead of cutting to length. then you only need 1 long 2x4 for each leg also 2x4s have milled corners, so if you want even nicer joints, use 1x4's but they tend to be more expensive per board ft
Tater Schuld
2022-09-20 17:38:16 +0000 UTCA blend of machine and hand tool makes the most sense to me. If one creates half a joint notch by lamination and then adds the brace snugging it up by laminating the other half of the notch, one would get a really tight fit. Similar to Conor Mow-Lowry, the end is trimmed later.
Robert Rutledge
2022-09-20 14:36:47 +0000 UTCReally nice videos. I enjoy hearing your thoughts on the process. The changes in outlook on whole project which happen when one piece is done or even during its creation are something I am quite familiar with and it's nice to see, that you do the same. Haven't had time this year to do anything as I have lot of life changes at this moment, but at last I moved into my own place and it has small workshop (8'x6'). So when I will finish the inside of the house I will assemble my knock down Moravian-spin-off bench in it and get back to working. Thank you for posting.
Lubos Tomicek
2022-09-20 12:11:34 +0000 UTCYou were one aisle away from the laminated wood section....next bench laminate laminated wood (plywood).😁
Steve Jones
2022-09-20 09:56:19 +0000 UTCThank you Rex for another peek behind the scenes. Looking forward to seeing the finished product and the different approaches between power and hand tools.
Matt Evans-Koch
2022-09-20 04:43:18 +0000 UTCIf you are going to use a hand saw to cut the joints in the legs and follow the idea of gluing them together and then cutting the joints, I would draw the approximate joint positions on the leg halves before applying the glue and then applying the glue avoiding these areas. That way when you cut through the top 2x4, the cut piece will just fall out. It will allow the glue to fully cure so if you glue one day and cut on another, it won't matter. By gluing close to the lines, there would be no reduction in the glue strength.
Thomas Huard
2022-09-20 00:28:06 +0000 UTCAlso, I think there is less waste using the laminated method.
Tom Stinson
2022-09-20 00:21:37 +0000 UTCExactly.
John Laudun
2022-09-19 21:39:41 +0000 UTCYou are really pounding out the videos. Keep them coming.
Richard C von Brecht
2022-09-19 21:24:14 +0000 UTCThanks Rex. I’m really enjoying this approach and if you produce plans I might actually build it. Hey question though. How easy do you think it might knock down? I know it’s glued but so far not in the joined pieces. Just thinking, because Linda and I have become vagrants, not often going home to our actual home. We are caring for our mothers in their homes.
Col Rodrick
2022-09-19 21:07:02 +0000 UTCOops replied to soon. The easy part: you simply dry-fit the tenon (or the brace, in this case) and pull it out before the glue sets up hard. Voila, tight fit! If that makes the end not quite flush, well, those need leveling anyway at some point.
Conor Mow-Lowry
2022-09-19 21:00:41 +0000 UTCI like laminating mortises with hand tools. As a beginner I found it faster, easier, and less intimidating.
Conor Mow-Lowry
2022-09-19 20:58:25 +0000 UTCThank you for the behind the scenes, short and sweet, here's-what-I-am-doing-at-the-moment videos. It definitely brings another dimension to the channel, it feels like we are granted sneak peeks into your prep work and that's gold.
Borjan Tchakaloff
2022-09-19 20:47:52 +0000 UTCI really like these prototyping videos. I feel like I'm hanging out in the shop with you working through the project together. Thanks Rex.
Cody Coleman
2022-09-19 20:40:52 +0000 UTCGreat video. Nice having another video so soon!!!
Marc Barash
2022-09-19 20:27:38 +0000 UTC
