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Default using hand tools to build a woodworking work bench instead of power tools

I need to build a workbench (my first one) and have been looking at
some plans on the net and have
found these that are for what looks to be a nice one:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...html?series=20

My question is: the plans say "If you don't have a power miter saw or
radial-arm saw, guide your circular
saw..."

Well, what if you don't have even a circular saw? I can't afford one
at this very moment, nonetheless need to
get building now, because I have other projects that need to get done
which themselves require a proper bench with vises. So I need to know
whether its feasible for me, someone just starting out (but with
mechanical aptitude), to attempt to use a regular hand saw for doing
the cross cuts on the construction-grade lumber (or maybe clear
hardwood, haven't decided yet). Or whether I should not even try. I'm
guessing getting straight cuts would be the major sticking point?? Or
is there something else to watch out for? Also, I only have a
traditional hand drill, no electric (yet). I figure this shouldn't be
a problem, the holes aren't huge and the plans call for ordinary lag
screws.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris

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Default using hand tools to build a woodworking work bench instead ofpower tools

rank beginner wrote:
I need to build a workbench (my first one) and have been looking at
some plans on the net and have
found these that are for what looks to be a nice one:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...html?series=20


If you've only got a hand-drill, that solid-wood top with the zillion
holes for the allthread is going to be a pain. Also, that style of
bench needs to be HEAVY or else it can move around.

For a first workbench, something like this might be more appropriate.
I'm actually just finishing up a version of this in my new garage.

http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/art...xit/page2.html


My question is: the plans say "If you don't have a power miter saw or
radial-arm saw, guide your circular
saw..."

Well, what if you don't have even a circular saw?


Use a handsaw, as you suggested. Mark the line, cut to the line. It'll
likely take some practice to get good at it.

Alternately, borrow a power saw from a friend.

Chris
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Default using hand tools to build a woodworking work bench instead of power tools

Thanks for that link, Chris. I'm reading through it now.
You might be right. I may be better off at this stage
using a straightforward sheet of plywood for the top. Using
the 2 x4s are also a lot easier to work with at this point.
I'm going to give it some serious consideration.


Thanks again.

C


On Aug 9, 4:21 pm, Chris Friesen wrote:
rank beginner wrote:
I need to build a workbench (my first one) and have been looking at
some plans on the net and have
found these that are for what looks to be a nice one:


http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...219723.html?se...


If you've only got a hand-drill, that solid-wood top with the zillion
holes for the allthread is going to be a pain. Also, that style of
bench needs to be HEAVY or else it can move around.

For a first workbench, something like this might be more appropriate.
I'm actually just finishing up a version of this in my new garage.

http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/art...xit/page2.html

My question is: the plans say "If you don't have a power miter saw or
radial-arm saw, guide your circular
saw..."


Well, what if you don't have even a circular saw?


Use a handsaw, as you suggested. Mark the line, cut to the line. It'll
likely take some practice to get good at it.

Alternately, borrow a power saw from a friend.

Chris



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Default using hand tools to build a woodworking work bench instead of power tools

On Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:38:25 -0700, rank beginner
wrote:

I need to build a workbench (my first one) and have been looking at
some plans on the net and have
found these that are for what looks to be a nice one:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...html?series=20

My question is: the plans say "If you don't have a power miter saw or
radial-arm saw, guide your circular
saw..."

Well, what if you don't have even a circular saw? I can't afford one
at this very moment, nonetheless need to
get building now, because I have other projects that need to get done
which themselves require a proper bench with vises. So I need to know
whether its feasible for me, someone just starting out (but with
mechanical aptitude), to attempt to use a regular hand saw for doing
the cross cuts on the construction-grade lumber (or maybe clear
hardwood, haven't decided yet). Or whether I should not even try. I'm
guessing getting straight cuts would be the major sticking point?? Or
is there something else to watch out for? Also, I only have a
traditional hand drill, no electric (yet). I figure this shouldn't be
a problem, the holes aren't huge and the plans call for ordinary lag
screws.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris


Ask this over in rec.woodworking. Lots of friendly folks there
roughly divided into two camps. Neanders (Neanderthals) who prefer
hand tools, and Normites (after Norm Abrams, host of New Yankee
Workshop) who use power tools for everything. You'll get lots of good
info on benches and building with hand tools. Also, do a google
groups search for bench or workbench (limit to rec.woodworking)
because the subject has been discussed in a million threads already.

Building a good bench with hand tools is a challenge, but you will be
proud of the result for many, many years. Go for it!

Paul F.


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Default using hand tools to build a woodworking work bench instead of power tools

Thanks, Paul. Will try just that.

I think I'm going to go for it.

On Aug 9, 9:36 pm, Paul Franklin
wrote:
On Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:38:25 -0700, rank beginner



wrote:
I need to build a workbench (my first one) and have been looking at
some plans on the net and have
found these that are for what looks to be a nice one:


http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...219723.html?se...


My question is: the plans say "If you don't have a power miter saw or
radial-arm saw, guide your circular
saw..."


Well, what if you don't have even a circular saw? I can't afford one
at this very moment, nonetheless need to
get building now, because I have other projects that need to get done
which themselves require a proper bench with vises. So I need to know
whether its feasible for me, someone just starting out (but with
mechanical aptitude), to attempt to use a regular hand saw for doing
the cross cuts on the construction-grade lumber (or maybe clear
hardwood, haven't decided yet). Or whether I should not even try. I'm
guessing getting straight cuts would be the major sticking point?? Or
is there something else to watch out for? Also, I only have a
traditional hand drill, no electric (yet). I figure this shouldn't be
a problem, the holes aren't huge and the plans call for ordinary lag
screws.


Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you,


Chris


Ask this over in rec.woodworking. Lots of friendly folks there
roughly divided into two camps. Neanders (Neanderthals) who prefer
hand tools, and Normites (after Norm Abrams, host of New Yankee
Workshop) who use power tools for everything. You'll get lots of good
info on benches and building with hand tools. Also, do a google
groups search for bench or workbench (limit to rec.woodworking)
because the subject has been discussed in a million threads already.

Building a good bench with hand tools is a challenge, but you will be
proud of the result for many, many years. Go for it!

Paul F.





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Default using hand tools to build a woodworking work bench instead of power tools


"rank beginner" wrote in message
Well, what if you don't have even a circular saw? I can't afford one
at this very moment, nonetheless need to
get building now, because I have other projects that need to get done
which themselves require a proper bench with vises. So I need to know
whether its feasible for me, someone just starting out (but with
mechanical aptitude), to attempt to use a regular hand saw for doing
the cross cuts on the construction-grade lumber (or maybe clear
hardwood, haven't decided yet).


Sure, why not? They build some rather nice furniture before the invention
of electricity and power tools. If, however, you have to buy a handsaw, you
can buy a circular saw for less than a good handsaw.

Take your time and mark a line for the cuts.


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Default using hand tools to build a woodworking work bench instead of power tools

On Aug 9, 2:35 pm, rank beginner wrote:
Thanks for that link, Chris. I'm reading through it now.
You might be right. I may be better off at this stage
using a straightforward sheet of plywood for the top. Using
the 2 x4s are also a lot easier to work with at this point.
I'm going to give it some serious consideration.

Thanks again.

C

On Aug 9, 4:21 pm, Chris Friesen wrote:



rank beginner wrote:
I need to build a workbench (my first one) and have been looking at
some plans on the net and have
found these that are for what looks to be a nice one:


http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...219723.html?se...


If you've only got a hand-drill, that solid-wood top with the zillion
holes for the allthread is going to be a pain. Also, that style of
bench needs to be HEAVY or else it can move around.


For a first workbench, something like this might be more appropriate.
I'm actually just finishing up a version of this in my new garage.


http://www.rd.com/familyhandyman/art...xit/page2.html


My question is: the plans say "If you don't have a power miter saw or
radial-arm saw, guide your circular
saw..."


Well, what if you don't have even a circular saw?


Use a handsaw, as you suggested. Mark the line, cut to the line. It'll
likely take some practice to get good at it.


Alternately, borrow a power saw from a friend.


Chris- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


The cost of a circular saw and a power drill will only be a fraction
of the cost of material going into even a small bench then you will
have them for future projects. A quality handsaw is a joy to use but
a manual drill gets old in a hurry.

Harry K

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Default using hand tools to build a woodworking work bench instead of power tools

On Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:38:25 -0700, rank beginner
wrote:

I need to build a workbench (my first one) and have been looking at
some plans on the net and have
found these that are for what looks to be a nice one:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...html?series=20

My question is: the plans say "If you don't have a power miter saw or
radial-arm saw, guide your circular
saw..."

Well, what if you don't have even a circular saw? I can't afford one
at this very moment, nonetheless need to
get building now, because I have other projects that need to get done
which themselves require a proper bench with vises. So I need to know
whether its feasible for me, someone just starting out (but with
mechanical aptitude), to attempt to use a regular hand saw for doing
the cross cuts on the construction-grade lumber (or maybe clear
hardwood, haven't decided yet). Or whether I should not even try. I'm
guessing getting straight cuts would be the major sticking point?? Or
is there something else to watch out for? Also, I only have a
traditional hand drill, no electric (yet). I figure this shouldn't be
a problem, the holes aren't huge and the plans call for ordinary lag
screws.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris



A circular saw will make this project easy. They are not too
expensive (about the same price as a nice vise) and you will need to
use it to squarely trim off the benchtop ends. But, yes you can
still build this bench without a circular saw and it will take longer
to build. You may want to substitute ply & hardboard for the top
unless you have a belt sander. Sometimes a nice smooth and flat work
surface is needed. Using hand tools is an important skill to develop,
and building this bench will give you that.
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