OldTools Archive
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274259 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑08‑01 | Nicholson Bench Build |
I appreciate everyone’s sage advice concerning my inquiry about Ramia benches. You also helped me realize that it was time to piss or get off the pot. So I finally went and bought the lumber I needed to start building my Nicholson bench. I’ve done a ton of “research” on benches, and studied the various forms - Roubo, Moravian, Low Roman bench (which I may still make at some point), etc. But after a lot of (i.e. too much) debate, I decided on the Nicholson bench. Specifically, a viseless Nicholson bench a la Mike Siemson from his video “The Naked Woodworker”. I actually made this decision a year ago but for some reason I kept putting off purchasing the wood and getting started. The entire time I kept looking on Craigslist and Facebook marketplace hoping to find a workbench I could buy. Even tho I know building my own bench will be a great learning experience. Regardless, I was kind of dreading going to the lumberyard to buy the wood I needed. I assumed it would be a difficult and frustrating process. That being said, the more I looked for a used bench, the more it became obvious (as many of you pointed out on my post about Ramia benches) I wouldn’t find something within my price range that was built well enough for the work I do. If I could afford it, there were flaws that I couldn’t overlook. The rare benches I found that were well built were beyond my financial means. So I finally just bit the bullet and purchased (most of) the wood I need to build my own. Surprisingly, it was relatively easy, somewhat pleasant experience. And even more surprisingly, it wasn’t as expensive as I feared! So, I will begin building my first “real” jointers bench, in earnest, this week. I will try to document the process here and I welcome all of your advice, insight, constructive criticism, and positive reinforcement. I’m excited! Thank you all for your endless source of inspiration. -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274262 | Adam R. Maxwell | 2021‑08‑01 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
> On Jul 31, 2021, at 20:27 , Dan Beck |
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274264 | Don Schwartz <dks@t...> | 2021‑08‑01 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
I was really tempted to build a Nicholson a few years ago, but finally decided on a split-top design. It's a modified form of the LV bench plan, using their bench top kit, replacing their maple base with larger-dimension Doug Fir, and re-purposing my old bench-top as a heavyweight tool shelf below. I should install the end twin-vise I bought years ago, but thus far haven't felt compelled to do so. https://groups.io/g/oldtools/album?id=263819 Don On 2021-08-01 9:55 a.m., Adam R. Maxwell via groups.io wrote: > >> On Jul 31, 2021, at 20:27 , Dan Beck |
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274265 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑08‑01 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Don - you bench looks great! Adam - glad to hear that you have no regrets with your Nicholson. -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274267 | Adam R. Maxwell | 2021‑08‑01 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
> On Aug 1, 2021, at 10:32 , Don Schwartz |
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274268 | Don Schwartz <dks@t...> | 2021‑08‑01 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
I think it was Siemsen's bench that persuaded me too. The LV design had the two slabs placed further apart, like a dust well. I didn't want that. I've used the centre gap for lateral planing support a few times, and it's quite convenient. My slabs are joined by on-parallel cross-bearers screwed below, but the top is held on dowel pins entirely by gravity. With the Record vise attached, it's wicked heavy. By my calculations, the beefier Doug Fir base came in just slightly heavier than the maple that the LV plans called for, and I think it looks more substantial. I've seen no loosening of the butt joints, nor any racking whatsoever. Don On 2021-08-01 3:32 p.m., Adam R. Maxwell via groups.io wrote: > Split top is another thing I have no regrets on, and I think I stole that idea from Mike Siemsen. I've had to tighten the deck screws on the base up a few times, but it's still solid, even with no glued joints. -- “What we are seeing is a decision by the government to get as many people infected as possible, as quickly as possible, while using rhetoric about caution as a way of putting the blame on the public for the consequences...” - Prof Robert West, health psychologist, University College, London "extremist individualism … an ideology that claims to be about freedom when really it means selfishness”. |
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274352 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑08‑15 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
I’ve been slowly but steadily working on my Nicholson bench whenever I can find a little time between family obligations, work, and the side hustle. I’ve got the legs built (photo below), aprons are glued up, and all the rest of the pieces are cut. I hope to make more progress this week. -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274353 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑08‑15 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
[Edited Message Follows] I’ve been slowly but steadily working on my Nicholson bench whenever I can find a little time between family obligations, work, and the side hustle. I’ve got the legs built (photo below), aprons are glued up, and all the rest of the pieces are cut. I hope to make more progress this week. -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274354 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑08‑15 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
[Edited Message Follows] I’ve been slowly but steadily working on my Nicholson bench whenever I can find a little time between family obligations, work, and the side hustle. I’ve got the legs built (photo below), aprons are glued up, and all the rest of the pieces are cut. I hope to make more progress this week. https://share.icloud.com/photos/0Gh06s9ak8RvbkGsDKtLkT7Pg#Veterans_Memorial_Fiel d -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274355 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑08‑15 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
I guess the iCloud links I posted aren’t working. Let see if I can include photos via email… |
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274356 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑08‑15 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Let's see if these links to photos work... https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3284576?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0 https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3284577?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0 -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274484 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑09‑02 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Made progress on my bench. Aprons are on. Cross bearers attached. The base has been thoroughly flattened/jointed/leveled. I attached the two top planks tonight. I’m very happy so far. While this isn’t a difficult or complicated build, I’m taking my time and making sure to be precise and deliberate and not cutting any corners. Using the bench as a bench while I’m building has proven that it is heavy and rock solid. While it is quite heavy as is, I’ve got enough 2x12” syp that I’m going to use it to make a lower shelf. While that is prob overkill, I figure it add even more to its overall weight. Next, I will be hitting the top with the jointer plane to make it as flat as possible. Then I’ll drill the holdfast/dog holes, attach the crochet, and install the lower shelf. I hope to finish this weekend. Here’s some progress photos: https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3294783?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0 https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3294784?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0 https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3294785?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0 -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274485 | Dennis Heyza <michigaloot@c...> | 2021‑09‑02 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Nice work, Dan! A new bench is on my list of upcoming projects and yours is providing some inspiration. Dennis Heyza New Baltimore, Michigan -----Original Message----- From: oldtools@g... |
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274486 | Spike <spikethebike@c...> | 2021‑09‑02 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Sent from the seat of my pants > On Sep 1, 2021, at 8:55 PM, Dan Beck |
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274487 | Richard Wilson <yorkshireman@y...> | 2021‑09‑02 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Dan’s bench. . . Good and solid. If you’re adding a shelf, you could consider that it rests on the stretchers and is removable. Though weight is good, having it in a manner which enables you to lift, or at least slide the bench come movong time, or ‘rearrange the workshop’ day is a bonus. And whilst throwing gratis advice - you could also make it into a closed cupboard - wherein, at the cost of a slight bend at the knee, you can find your oilstone, ready for use and not covered in dust, and with a drawer or two, your chisels, out of any humidity and staying sharp, a sliding tray with the layout tools to hand, hammer for adjusting plane irons….. those small things that you want to hand - pencil sharpener, bottle opener… Richard Wilson Yorkshireman galoot - in Northumbria > On 2 Sep 2021, at 04:55, Dan Beck |
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274488 | Don Schwartz <dks@t...> | 2021‑09‑02 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Likewise. Make it high enough so it's easy to reach and sweep under, but not so high that planes etc interfere with your holdfasts. Mine is a tad too high. Don On 2021-09-02 8:07 a.m., Spike wrote: > > Sent from the seat of my pants > >> On Sep 1, 2021, at 8:55 PM, Dan Beck |
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274501 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑09‑02 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Thanks for the kind words and continued advice. I will make the lower shelf removable. I don’t plan on moving this bench from its current location (when I eventually move to a bigger shop, I will leave this one behind and build a new bench). However, the legs can be removed (since as per Mike Siemsen’s plans the legs are attached with carriage bolts) and I will make the lower shelf removable too, so that should I need to move it, it will be possible to do so. Hopefully I’ll have pics of a completed bench at the end of the weekend. -Dan -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274502 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑09‑03 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Spent some time this evening with my trusty #5 and #7 and flattened the top of my bench. I also laid the bench on its backside and flattened the front apron. I have to say that I’m quite happy with the results. One of the benefits of a Nicholson is that if you build it correctly and spend some time flattening the tops of the aprons and the cross braces, when you screw the bench top down, it should be pretty flat to start with. That being, I went to town with my planes - got the irons nice and sharp, resharpened them a couple of times, waxed the soles up, and really worked up a heck of a sweat. I’m not saying that it rivals a granite plate in a Machinist’s shop, but overall I’d say it’s pretty damn flat. I’ll prob take a few more licks at it once the holdfast holes have been drilled. https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3295240?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0 https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3295241?p=Created,,,20,2,0,0 -Dan -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274506 | Phil E. <pedgerton66@g...> | 2021‑09‑03 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Dan and galoots, The pics show what looks like several cross grain connections that might later be a concern. My benchtop is laminated 2X4s on edge and I had a couple of crossgrain connections across the ends. Over time my benchtop pulled apart at two different sections of the laminations. I reglued the top and fixed the cross grain situations and have had no further trouble. Phil E. |
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274509 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑09‑04 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Hey Phil, Thanks for your response. I tried to avoid any cross grain connections, and there really aren’t any laminations - except on the legs. The legs are def not cross laminated. I made sure I kept all the parts labeled so that when I ripped and cross cut, I could match all the pieces up properly - I was mainly concerned with cupping so I wanted to make sure everything mated up as perfectly as possible. Thankfully the cupping was very minor, but I’m still glad I took that precaution. Perhaps I’m missing something obvious? -Dan -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274517 | Phil E. <pedgerton66@g...> | 2021‑09‑05 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Hi Dan and galoots, I was referring to the screws(?) holding the top to the cross stretchers underneath the top. And there are bolts in the wide front board into the legs. These are held at right angles to each other in terms of grain direction. Over time the wide boards may shrink and split themselves. Maybe you've dealt with this already? Best, Phil E. |
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274518 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑09‑06 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
I see what you’re saying - thanks for the clarification. I followed the directions provided by Mike Seimsen in his video “Naked Woodworker”. In this video (released by Lost Art Press) he very clearly instructs screwing the top planks to the aprons and cross bearers and using carriage bolts to attach the legs to the aprons. I’m hoping that this won’t be an issue. I stored the lumber in my shop for a couple of weeks before building and tested them with a moisture meter before attaching them. The levels were in range, so fingers crossed that wood won’t move much. Thanks, Dan -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274519 | Phil Schempf <philschempf@g...> | 2021‑09‑06 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
In true galoot fashion, I’ve been planning a Nicholson bench for years. The screws through the top of the bench have troubled me, with metal in a surface that will get planed from time to time. I’m probably overthinking this as is my usual MO. I suspect if I countersink the screws by half an inch, it will be someone else’s problem by the time that much of the top is planed away. Phil, slow and getting slower |
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274520 | Adam R. Maxwell | 2021‑09‑06 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
> On Sep 6, 2021, at 09:13 , Phil Schempf |
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274521 | John Ruth <johnrruth@h...> | 2021‑09‑06 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Galoots who want carriage and other bolts to stay tight as the wood expands and contracts should look into the conical spring washers known as "Belleville Springs." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belleville_washer ( I learned about these from Dr. George Langford. He uses them to keep the totes on Bailey planes nice and tight. ) John Ruth On Sep 6, 2021, at 11:22 AM, Dan Beck |
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274522 | David Sobel | 2021‑09‑06 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
> On Sep 6, 2021, at 11:22 AM, Dan Beck |
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274523 | Richard Wilson <yorkshireman@y...> | 2021‑09‑06 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Well of course, if you’re usng carriage bolts, you can use a rat tail file to make the holes oval and allow a bit of movement. If you use countersunk screws, you will need to be a bit more fiddly with the file, and maybe a gouge to make a surface countersink oval. If the countersink is at the bottom of a counterbore, well, try to avoid that. And at the end of all that - it’s a bench, and if a split appears, well, it’s a bench, not a table top, and it’s there to do some work, not to look pristine. Richard Wilson Yorkshireman galoot. coincidentally, looked at my bench top earlier today and thought “this is looking grubby and dented, maybe I should plane it and make it like Dan’s. Then reality took hold. > On 6 Sep 2021, at 16:22, Dan Beck |
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274590 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑09‑22 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
The Nicholson bench is complete! Here is photographic evidence: https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306901?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0%2 C0 https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306902?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0%2 C0 https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306903?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0%2 C0 I am incredibly happy with the way this turned out. I actually finished almost two weeks ago and altho I haven’t done any big projects on it yet, I can tell you this thing is ridiculously solid and (even at only five foot long) it is more than heavy enough to keep it from moving while planing. I finished it with two coats of “shop finish” which is: 1 part Minwax Helmsman spar urethane 1 part boiled linseed oil 1 part odorless mineral spirits This is the first time I’ve really used holdfasts and I absolutely adore them. I used the dog hole bushing made by Lee Valley and once a had a couple of holdfast holes drilled, I was able to use holdfasts in those to help secure the jig for all the other holes. I’m proud to say that this bench was almost 100% made using hand tools. The only electrons that were used was when I ripped the boards for the legs on my table saw (I didn’t trust my hand saw skills enough to produce straight, square cuts). I’d encourage anyone who has been thinking about building a Nicholson bench to just go for it. It’s not a difficult build - if I can do it, certainly anyone can. The cost of wood is def coming down - all said and done I think I spent about $300 total. If anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to send them my way. And thanks again for all the knowledge that is shared here on the daily! Best, Dan -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274591 | Dennis Heyza <michigaloot@c...> | 2021‑09‑22 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Dan finished his Nicholson bench and provides proof - > From: oldtools@g... |
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274592 | Mark van Roojen <mvr1@e...> | 2021‑09‑23 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Dan Beck wrote: > > The Nicholson bench is complete! Here is photographic evidence: > > https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306901?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0 %2C0 > ( > https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306901?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0 %2C0 > ) > > https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306902?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0 %2C0 > ( > https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306902?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0 %2C0 > ) > > https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306903?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0 %2C0 > ( > https://groups.io/g/oldtools/photo/267127/3306903?p=Created%2C%2C%2C20%2C2%2C0 %2C0 > ) > > I am incredibly happy with the way this turned out. I actually finished > almost two weeks ago and altho I haven�t done any big projects on it yet, > I can tell you this thing is ridiculously solid and (even at only five > foot long) it is more than heavy enough to keep it from moving while > planing. Nicely done! But that shop is way too neat for this to be real. :-) - Mark |
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274593 | Paul Gardner <yoyopg@g...> | 2021‑09‑23 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Looks great Dan. Wishing you many happy hours using it. -Paul, in SF |
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274597 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑09‑23 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Haha! I had to keep it clean during the build because the space is so small. But it’s also clean because I just cleared off my old bench (which was basically just a glorified table) so I could break it down and move this bench into its place. That being said, this is one of reasons I like the tool walls - everything is close at hand and it’s very easy to grab a tool off the wall and then put it right back when I’m done with it. -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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274636 | Alex Moseley <alex.moseley@g...> | 2021‑09‑28 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Agreed, that's a handsome workbench in a nice-looking space. I'm a big fan of the green metal Wards/Waterloo parts drawers hiding below your first bench. I may have accumulated a few of those over the past year. :) Alex Moseley | alex.moseley@g... | http://liferevisited.wordpress.com |
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274637 | Dan Beck <drumsandbacon@g...> | 2021‑09‑28 | Re: Nicholson Bench Build |
Thanks, Alex. And yeah - a couple of those drawers found their way under the new bench, haha! -- I'm a simple man. I like pretty dark-haired women and breakfast food. |
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