"JC" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've been saving money and building my small 20x20 shop for the last
two years. I equipped it all at once with new machines, tools, etc.
(since I didn't have anything to begin with).

My first project, naturally, is a workbench which I completed today. It
still needs finish, I'm thinking shellac to seal the thirsty MDF and
then varnish. I'm very pleased with my first attempt. I honestly don't
have a piece of furniture this nice in my house which is o.k. since I
don't live in the house anymore. I LIVE IN THE SHOP! (I'm a bachelor).

The front vise is Lee Valley's import quick-release which works great.
The end vise I made with Lee Valley's vise screw and some iron pipe.
The top is three layers of MDF glued up. Very flat, very strong, very
heavy.

It's quite an ongoing learning experience. It's amazing how many
mistakes you can make on one single piece of wood I'm hooked now,
woodworking is like a drug, although more expensive than any drug I've
ever heard of

I've got lots of pictures if you'd like to have a look:

http://members.cox.net/spam1/index.htm

gotta get back out to the shop,
later,
john


Good goin' John.

I love that smooth curve on the side leading to that monster end vise. I
trust that you will now buy a full complement of bench dog goodies from Lee
Valley for your bench top.

And once again, love that monster end vise. It looks good and I am certain
can grip some mighty big projects either in its jaws or with the bench dogs.

One comment about benches. I have used a lot of them over the years and two
features that I like a lot is a tool tray and a shelf a few inches under the
top. Not everybody likes them. I do. It is what I have on my bench.

On a big bench like yours, a tool tray would have to go in the center.
Ehich could be problematic when working on a big project.

The thing I like about the shelf under the top is that you can stash tools
under there while working on the top. Thereby leaving more room on the top
for your project.