Work bench build - picture heavy.

Been out of the shop for awhile, working a lot of hours again. I threw my back out yesterday so it may be awhile before I can get back on this. That sucks, I was making really good progress in my spare time. I miss my shop time.
 
Being you have similar holes to clean out on similar legs, would it be worth using a fence guide for your router and plowing some of the excess before chiseling? Think my router lets me go 2 inches deep, that would be 4 inches. It also sets up clean edges on both sides allowing you to use the drill guide to hog out more material from the middle.

Hope your back gets better soon. I popped my elbow out reaching too fast. Never heard of such, some tenon damage. Can't do a lot. Wife has really has stepped up to help, ashamed to be in the position. Not even old yet. She is ready so off to assist. Have a great weekend however you can.
 
Mr. Peet said:
Being you have similar holes to clean out on similar legs, would it be worth using a fence guide for your router and plowing some of the excess before chiseling?
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That's a possibility, but I would have to purchase a deep bit as I dont have one that goes very deep.
 
woodtickgreg said:
That's a possibility, but I would have to purchase a deep bit as I dont have one that goes very deep.
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You can buy a bit extender pretty cheaply. I have found mine to be stable & easy to use with my 1/2" plunge router. router+bit+extension

EDIT: that link is not to mine. You want to make sure you get one with no runout. Also, they are no good w/ even remotely narrow bits since the collet chuck is fairly big. I use mine with a 1" diameter bit. Haven't tried it with a spoilboard bit.
 
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I've made some pretty respectable mortises with a 1/2" strait cut router bit with a plywood template and guide bushing. You have to take it a little bit at a time by increasing the depth of cut around 1/2" per pass. I make my templates from 1/4" plywood and screw it in place, you could clamp it but clamps sometimes slip and make a big mess. Probably you wouldn't get depth enough but maybe a good start.
 
sprucegum said:
I've made some pretty respectable mortises with a 1/2" strait cut router bit with a plywood template and guide bushing. You have to take it a little bit at a time by increasing the depth of cut around 1/2" per pass. I make my templates from 1/4" plywood and screw it in place, you could clamp it but clamps sometimes slip and make a big mess. Probably you wouldn't get depth enough but maybe a good start.
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That's pretty much what I am planing at this time. Buying the bushings etc to do it. Plus kinda gave my back some time to heal up. I have a garage renovation project coming up and by then I should have the tools needed to get back on the bench build, I really need to get it done. Life happens sometimes it seems.
 
woodtickgreg said:
That's pretty much what I am planing at this time. Buying the bushings etc to do it. Plus kinda gave my back some time to heal up. I have a garage renovation project coming up and by then I should have the tools needed to get back on the bench build, I really need to get it done. Life happens sometimes it seems.
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If you can come up with a very accurate template system you could go at it from both sides, probably wouldn't leave much hand work in the center. Back pain is the worst, I can go for months and sometimes years with very few problems. Then out of nowhere it happens. Hope yours heals quickly.
 
sprucegum said:
If you can come up with a very accurate template system you could go at it from both sides, probably wouldn't leave much hand work in the center. Back pain is the worst, I can go for months and sometimes years with very few problems. Then out of nowhere it happens. Hope yours heals quickly.
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That's the plan, I'll go about half way on each side. Should only have the corners left to chisel out.
 
So its been a long time but I think im back on the build. Life gets in the way sometimes, other projects, church projects, etc. So I just finished up a church project and I got set up again to work on the bench.
I got the legs set on the old bench to chop the mortices for the cross stretchers.
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I made a couple gage blocks to test fit the mortices.
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Sharpened up a couple of morticing chisels.
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And I did a sanding and filing of a couple crosses for members at church before I get back on the bench.
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Tomorrow I have to e.pty out the front of the garage and probably a good part of the wood rack to get to my garage door opener. It crapped out last week. I can hear the motor running but the chain isn't moving so its either a belt or a sheared key. Hopefully I can get this done and out of the way too!
 
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