Tag: bench hook

Saw Bench Update

~ George Crawford ~ 16 Comments

A little more done on the saw bench this weekend.  It is clearly going to serve as my go-to portable workstation.  I have several jigs in mind to add as regular features but, for now, I’ve started by making a brand new bench hook.

The bench's small size will allow it to pack easily into the truck, even holding items in the tills.
The bench’s small size will allow it to pack easily into the truck, even holding items in the tills.

I brought it out into the driveway this afternoon to get a few photographs before it’s all scuffed up and broken in.

The holdfasts are stored out of the way by drilling a couple holes in the legs. I placed them down low enough that I can rotate them up to hold a board should the need ever arise.
The holdfasts are stored out-of-the-way by drilling a couple of holes in the legs. I placed them  low enough that I can rotate them up to hold a board should the need ever arise.

I know this cannot replace a proper bench but I am very pleased right now.  This will serve many functions, not the least of which is for bow and arrow making and as a leather work bench.

The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.
The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.

 

This, in conjunction with the shave horse and folding x-leg table (below), will need to serve as my portable workshop for the foreseeable future I’m afraid.

 

DSC_0251 (2)
Connection from leg assembly to the top.
DSC_0249
As for connecting the top, I used lag bolts with fender washers to provide a secure connection that could also be easily removed when the top is worn out.

This, in conjunction with the shave horse and folding x-leg table (below), will need to serve as my portable workshop for the foreseeable future I’m afraid.

The little table has many miles on it now and doesn't look this pretty at all. I'm actually in the midst of refinishing it and will post pictures sometime soon.
The little table has many miles on it now and doesn’t look this pretty at all. I’m actually in the midst of refinishing it and will post pictures sometime soon.
Bench hook on the bench.
Bench hook on the bench.

This bench hook is oak, glued with Titebond 2, and pegged with Osage orange dowels for added strength.  The dowels aren’t visible in the fence as they are half-blind and stop just short of the surface.  A bench hook, shooting board, mitre box, and other small jigs make great use of scrap that might otherwise end up in the wood stove.

A final luxury to finish up this project; I’ve ordered a couple brass bench dogs (pups) and a bench (planing) stop from Lee Valley.

I ordered the shorter version for the little bench.
A bit extravagant for the littl ebench but they are reasonably cheap.