aaa ena project TMO The Practical Workbench imsure there are one hundred ways to build a workbench, and all of them are correct if they meet your needs. Here's a workbench that fils all my re- quirements and one that will hopefully be useful in your workshop ‘A bench doesn't have to be prety. A ‘good hardwood that’s straight and flat, with a few blemishes isjust tine, After all, we're going toe pounding. damp- ing, dragging and abusing the top in the years to come. The bench should be strong and heavy enough to withstand a bit of pushing and pulling when we are working wood. J used asi for my bench and tried to keep the best faces for my top surface. Even though | selected the wood careful: ly. did have a teve little checks and knots to fill This wood wasr't a select grade, s0 I didn't exnect perfection. Care- {ally sort through the lesser grades of lumber and pick the best pieces for your bench. tt may not win a beauty contest, but the price will bea lot les than se- lect-grade lumber. A bench needs one or two geod vises and, since a berch has 2 greet deal of space below, a storage cabinet for Frequently used tools. This bench has five drawers for teols anda shelf for tucking those tools aside when you are working on e project, keeping them within easy reach. Lnstalled two Veritas vises on my ‘bench, The twin-screw model is a well ‘machined and very Useful tool. The sin- agle-seren model mounted on the richt side of the bench s perfect for my work, Both vises are available at Lee Valley Tools. The bench can be mounted on wheels, the vize styles and positions can be changed and the size ‘can be altered for your shop. It's well worth your ‘time ard money to build 9 ‘good workbench because Jewill be an important part of your shop for many years.ght Drawer eomloach hve a> “ahs anor Faso 20 PROJECT TWO