New Bench
- Thread starter Mike1950
- Start date
That's a beauty, Mike!
Maybe I shouldn't have returned so early that 26' Uhaul I rented for our move last week...
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #125
Mike, I got a bench related question for you.
I just came across a Craigslist post of someone selling oak and basswood for $1/BF. Says it's dry and it looks like it's been sitting a while. From the pics it looks like he's got 4/4 and 8/4. It's located about an hour away from me. At $1/BF, that could easily put the lumber to build a nice bench within easy reach. (Though it would have to sit until I at least got a planer, which it looks like I'll probably be able to get one later this year.)
You don't need to go and measure your benches and give me an exact calculation, but what would you estimate your board foot usage for building your bench, or any of the other ones you've built? Not including cabinet and drawers - just legs, stretcher, and top.
My wife let me set aside some money before our move to use to buy lumber, plywood, etc. to build some basic benches and get shelves going in the shop after our move. $1/BF oak would make for an awesome bench if I could swing it.
(I'm also now on the look out for a good deal on a vise, maybe two, now.)
I just came across a Craigslist post of someone selling oak and basswood for $1/BF. Says it's dry and it looks like it's been sitting a while. From the pics it looks like he's got 4/4 and 8/4. It's located about an hour away from me. At $1/BF, that could easily put the lumber to build a nice bench within easy reach. (Though it would have to sit until I at least got a planer, which it looks like I'll probably be able to get one later this year.)
You don't need to go and measure your benches and give me an exact calculation, but what would you estimate your board foot usage for building your bench, or any of the other ones you've built? Not including cabinet and drawers - just legs, stretcher, and top.
My wife let me set aside some money before our move to use to buy lumber, plywood, etc. to build some basic benches and get shelves going in the shop after our move. $1/BF oak would make for an awesome bench if I could swing it.
(I'm also now on the look out for a good deal on a vise, maybe two, now.)
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #127
Top for mine is easy- started with 3"-8/4 it is 6' x about 2' = 36 bd ft. frame is 8/4 about 4' x 18 so lets say 4- 6' x 6" = 24 bd ft legs less then 3' tall 2 pieces in each leg making them +- 4 x 4 = 24 ' 8/4 x 4" = 16 bd ft. Now all this is off the top of the 
head and considering the source I would check the math. but that is about 76 bd ft. If you can buy 100 bd ft. 8 /4 and about 25 -50 ft of 4/4 and you will have plenty for drawers and such. One helluva lot of wood for $150 ---but I would offer $125 for it, m
head and considering the source I would check the math. but that is about 76 bd ft. If you can buy 100 bd ft. 8 /4 and about 25 -50 ft of 4/4 and you will have plenty for drawers and such. One helluva lot of wood for $150 ---but I would offer $125 for it, m
Thanks, Mike! I'll double check on the math, but it looks like I just might have the funds to pull off buying the lumber and can save up for a couple vises while saving up for a planer purchase. I like that I could even get enough to do drawers with the money I have. Now I just gotta find a day I can drive over there and a trailer I can borrow! Finding a trailer I can use probably won't be hard - it's the time thing as I'm real busy this week and next... But, I think I've seen his ad before, when I was checking out the Craigslist pages before we moved here, so I'm sure it'll be around for a little while.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #129
PS- top does not need to be 3"- it could be 2. I was thinking oak- not basswood-too soft.
Yes, most definitely oak. I honestly don't know what I'd do with basswood since it's so soft. I'll have to internally debate on the 2" vs. 3" top thickness. I think that this would be a lifetime bench, or at least used for many years, so I'd probably want to build it with a 3" top to give it more heft. Probably will try to make the top removable for any future potential moves.
I'll update if/when I come home with a stack of oak! I think a nice bench is going to be built by me this year! (And, if so, I'll take y'all along for the ride, just as you did here!)
I'll update if/when I come home with a stack of oak! I think a nice bench is going to be built by me this year! (And, if so, I'll take y'all along for the ride, just as you did here!)
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #131
Extra 12' of oak will only cost 12 bucks but I thought I would throw it out there. My top is M&T but they are screw attached to move in the future. Good luck on your wood quest..........
Extra wood also is good in case of mistakes or future projects - especially at $1/BF! Gonna be next week, maybe even not until after Easter, before I can think about getting over that way, but I might give him a call soon just to see how much he's got left.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #133
M
My other bench has a lee valley large front vise and this one has a highland. I almost did not buy the Highland because it was quite a bit cheaper but I had a $50 credit so I did- I am happy with buy- I think the screw is larger -otherwise only difference is price and color. I bought the emmert repro on craigslist and the columbia on Ebay- watch the freight on ebay. Make sure you do a complete search-tools/materials and general on craigslist. You will find vises everywhere. A lot of them are very spendy but some will be dirt cheap.
My other bench has a lee valley large front vise and this one has a highland. I almost did not buy the Highland because it was quite a bit cheaper but I had a $50 credit so I did- I am happy with buy- I think the screw is larger -otherwise only difference is price and color. I bought the emmert repro on craigslist and the columbia on Ebay- watch the freight on ebay. Make sure you do a complete search-tools/materials and general on craigslist. You will find vises everywhere. A lot of them are very spendy but some will be dirt cheap.
don't know how I missed this buddy! absolutely beautiful bench! how is your wagon wheel working?
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #135
Thanks Jeff, I decided I would not build it. After a lot of thought of what I use the bench for I went with a different vise.