Two Work Bench Posts

  In case you are wondering about the latest round of workbench posts there are three reasons.  First reason, I have stumbled across several good Youtube videos related to workbenches lately and I want to share them. Second, like a teenage boy admiring the latest hot car I am always looking at and imagining myself owning the prefect ride,(bench). Third, I threw my back out seriously last weekend and am spending nearly all my day laying down.  In fact I am laying on my stomach on the living room floor typing this blog entry on my wife's new Chrome Book.

 Both videos are a bit long and the presentations are not super slick but both presentations are very informative.

  The Nicholson style work bench was new to me but I am quite taken with it. Mike Siemsen shows how good a bench can be without the expense of vise hardware. If a person was looking to make a bench and develop a working style from the beginning this bench and system is efficient and cost effective.

Working Holding without a vise

   Jay Bates' video shows his  adding a vise to his version of a modified Ron Paulk design workbench.

 

Add a Pipe Clamp Vise

  Pipe clamps are a low cost and versatile tool and in this application they have more than adequate clamping force.   

 cheers ianw

Woodworking Vise

  We all agree that if you are going to do quality wood working you need to have time, talent, and good tools.  There are dozens of books and web sites discussing work benches and nearly as many dealing with vises, clamps and hold downs. In my case buying and learning how to use clamps and vises made for a noticeable improvement in the final quality of my work.

  To go along with the various discussions relating to vises the Moxon Vise is discussed at length.  Last April I wrote a blog for another site about my version of the Moxon (face ) vise.

   

  I found my vise to be practical and useful for my needs. As I was surfing around this morning I found another woodworker's take on the Moxon Vise.  His motivation seemed much like mine, he wanted the utility of the vise without the ultra hype and high cost.

Make an Inexpensive Sliding Moxon Vise

  You can see that on my vise I used Bessey Clamps and Mr. Bates used pipe clamps. I enjoyed is video, and it shows why I don't make videos, my shop is never, ever that clean and neat.  I can only guess that Mr. Bates is a much more organised and professional woodworker than I.

  A footnote project is the box I made for the kids house.  The box is made to sit on a low wall beside their stairway.

  The ledge collected loose bits and pieces (keys, phones etc.) as you went down the hallway to the kitchen. With the box in place, less stuff falls down the stairs.