My current workbench is serviceable. Many years ago, I started to build a typical European workbench, with a face vise and tail vise. You can see how far I got.
The bench was built to serve my slight interest in hand tools, and my major use of power tools. As I slowly started using hand tools more and more, I found that a tail vise was not needed; so I never finished it, even though I bought the bench screw for it. I never purchased the face vise. This bench has made me use very creative clamping and holding situations. When I finally realized that hand tools were in my heart, I turned the top around so the row of dogs was on the back, and I added a big 2 3/4" square planing stop on the new left end.
Don't get me wrong. My bench has helped me immensely, but I know that its time to upgrade.
The English bench has caught my eye. I love the simplicity; I love the wide front apron. So today I started to build it. I had some 8' Douglas Fir 4x4's. I rough cut these to length for the legs, and laid out the mortises for the rails. Pictures below.
Cut to a rough, oversized length: 28 1/2"
Measuring from what will be the bottom of the leg (that scribed line at the right), the mortise for the lower rail is 5" up. The length of the mortise is 3". It will receive a 4x4 rail with a 1" tenon.
Measuring from the finished top line, the mortise for the top rail begins 1/4" down, and, similarly, is 3" long.
I will keep posting the progress on building this bench. Admittedly, I am quite nervous that the thinner, 2 1/4" top (compared to my current 4" top) will dissappoint me. We'll see.
AMDG
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