New bench top design

Birch

Have legs and base fairly well done for my new work bench. Vise is on the way. But, I notice so many designs have a flush front, i.e. the top is right flush to the legs etc, with no overhang. Bench I have now, which I also built, has 2" overhang all around. Why am I wrong? Why are most of them flush. What about leaving the front flush but sides and back with 2" overhang, The back will be up against or close to TSaw to serve as outfeed.
Comments and general suggestions please?

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xplorx4

Sounds like your design and mine will be fairly close on the overhang and unless I hear a good reason it will stay that way, but I am always open. one challenge I have is the Vise, just got to have one!

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Hamlin

Hi Birch,

I'd think you'd want that 2" over-hang. Sometimes you need to clamp to the top. If it was flush, that would be difficult.

Just my $0.02 worth.

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kolias

I think the real bench top is build from solid wood and that is why does not have an overhang. In that case they use the bench dogs clamps which go thru a hole on the bench top.

I prefer to have an overhang

Just my Canadian $0.02 worth

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Nicolas

bobj3

Hi Guys

On my work bench ,the front side is flush so I can clamp large/long stock in place with the work bench vise, but the back side as a 6" over hang and a drop in pocket (3" deep) into the bench top to put the tools in..to keep the top clear..also has a 6" hole for a chip bag for the saw dust,etc. you know the hand planes makes tons of chips

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Bob J.

Birch

Hand planes? Hand planes? Eeeeeuuuuuwww. Who in the world wants to mess around with a hand plane when we have all these nice machines. Do you still ride a horse to work? Split wood for the kitchen range? Shoot turkeys with a muzzle loader?
Okay. I am now comfortable with my bench design. It will have a 2" overhang,, just like the one I have now. Except there will be a heavy duty Rockler vise off the left hand facing edge corner and that corner will be flush.The rest of it is 2" X 6", trimmed to 5" and bolted together. Top is two sheets 3/4 MDF with 1/4 hardboard on bottom and 1/4" hardboard top which will be removable as it gets chewed up. Oak will run around edges of top because nobody can actually afford 3" maple.
Okay. Thanks gang. I'll keep ya posted.

nickao65

Yikes! You were joking , right? A hand plane is an awesome tool to complement all the power tools.

I can not think if a tool that can do many operations that a hand plane does with ease.

bobj3

Hi Fatz

Hand planes are great if you every get a chance to buy a Stanley 55 pick it up you will be amaze what it can do,,,

It's a true hand router without the power cord

here's a snapshot of one

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http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trk...All-Categories

http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=sta...y+55&_osacat=0

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Attached Images

stanley 55.jpg (31.7 KB, 35 views)

__________________
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Bob J.

Birch

Yes. Just kidding. I have four or five hand planes aroound here but I seldom use them. I understand those who are proficient with them are partial to them. And the device Bob shows in the pix looks more like an ancient torture device of some sort.
My hands and wrists are just shot from being broken, beat up and overused for so long and something like a hand plane would wear me out in a hurry.

bobj3

HI Fatz

The ancient torture device ,, used b/4 the power router took hold,,up to the 40''s by most work workers,many still use them,,they can do the same job as a power router can do,, they are very easy to use

They came with many bits (cutters) and are easy on the bod.. and are easy to keep the cutters sharp...or make your own profiles..

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__________________
MLCS Instruction Pages & Videos
plus FREE MLCS Project Plans
http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shops.../instruct.html

Part Finder
find parts for your power tools
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/
Need some help replacing the parts
http://forums.ereplacementparts.com/

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http://www.routerworkshop.com/router_tip_glossary.html
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Router Tables ,Ready to use
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Bob J.