Knockdown portable workbench

[rich pierce]

I have been meaning to make a solid but portable workbench and finally got it done. It is made of white ash about 1.75" thick and is modeled after my buddy Tom Curran's knockdown bench he takes to shows when he is demonstrating. I cut the ash out of a log about 4 years ago and it's hard as can be. The benchtop is 13" wide and about 4 feet long. The legs are on at 20 degree angles, splayed in 2 directions. The spreaders are hickory slats mortised into the legs and they pass through. It uses a Spanish windlass to make the legs grip the top tightly. It takes about a minute to set up or tear down but is very solid. The only type of work it seems unsuitable for is heavy planing as a bench really needs ot be anchored to a wall for that kind of work. I like to put it on the deck and do gunwork outside when the weather is good. Natural light sure is good to work in.

It's got a cheapo vise for now on one end

On the other end I have a post that goes in a mortise in the benchtop. It will be adjustable for height. Blurry picture below

 

[Vaino]

Looks good and sturdy and breaks down quickly it would seem. I imagine the top is clinched down w/ angles on the mortice and legs? Think I'll make one for "middle of the floor" lighter work. Always wanted a "walk around bench.Thanks....Fred

 

[rich pierce]

Yes, Fred, I had to "cipher some" to get the angles right on the notches in the top and to get the legs rabbeted at the correct angle. Those double angles were confusing the first time around but I could do it again much quicker. only downside of this design is that the legs splay and you don't want to forget that when walking around the bench. Upside is portability and quick takedown/setup.

 

[Ross5403]

How sturdy is it? I at the moment don't have a shop or a good place to build a permanent workbench but I would like to start building rifle kits and sat at the right height this my be good.

 

[dave_person]

Hi Rich,
I've always admired Tom's bench at Dixons. Yours looks great.

dave

 

[Col. Batguano]

That is super cool. It looks like it would be right at home in a good Amish workshop. We often forget about the old ways that worked so well, like the Spanish windlass tightening method. Did you think about using tapered pegs through the tenons as a tightening method too?