On Tue, 08 May 2007 22:01:01 +0100, NoSpam wrote:

|!Anybody got any pointers to designs for woodworking benches?
|!
|!I'm sketching-out some ideas for a woodworking bench top to fit on an
|!existing sturdy metal frame. The top's going to be 1500x660 (overhanging
|!slightly at each end), a tool well at the back, a quick release vice set
|!on the front and a standard vice on the end. Probably also a removable
|!panel to drop-in a router.
|!Buying/laminating loads of Beech strips seems like too much work and
|!expense so I'm thinking of laminating 3 layers of 18mm ply (or maybe
|!MDF) and edging it with some 30mm wide Beech. There'll be a sacrificial
|!layer of 6mm MDF on the top that will get changed when necessary. Does
|!this sound sensible?
|!Any suggestions for stockists of thicker ply? or HDF, or Beech kitchen
|!worktops at a sensible price?
|!
|!Dave
|!(I'll post this in rec.woodworking too)

I bought a B&Q softwood bench at about GBP35, and assembled it with *glue*
and the screws supplied. I then *glued* and screwed plywood to the back
and sides, and added plywood doors on the front. I also improved and
strengthened the top. It is now extremely strong, and works well, for
woodworking and metalworking.
--
Dave Fawthrop sf hyphenologist.co.uk 165 *Free* SF ebooks.
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