I was thinking about using unglued tenons to attach the top as you mentioned in another article. In that plan, would the top side stretchers be necessary?

Tim

I noticed that some of the knock down bench tops were 24" x 96" which is the size I plan to make. What was the resulting length of the long stretchers. Was it 40" (for 72" top length) + 24" (for longer 96" top length) = 64" overall to retain the 12" top overhang on both ends?

You said that you went from the large to small quick-release end vise so the vise travel did not hit the top stretchers on the knock down bench. Did the dog holes have to be placed closer to the edge when this smaller vise was used? What was the dimension?

Thank you for the wonderful bench design. I am looking forward to building it. I plan to use hard maple that I picked up today.

Tom

In a similar vein (following rules for rules sake) I also used haunched tenons in the top stretchers, completely unnecessary, given the massive nature of all the components. This bench ain’t no Chippendale lamp table.

You are exactly right. The bolt passes through the tenon of the short stretcher.

It isn’t a problem at all. The 3"-long tenons on the short stretchers are overkill, so there isn’t any problem with reducing the gluing surface.

Hope this helps.

Chris

When you bore a hole through the leg to allow the use of bolts on the long stretchers I assume that you are also boring a hole through the tenons of the short stretchers as the latter are in the path of the hole. Am I correct in my assumption? If so, will this hole cause any problems with the short stretchers tenons?

Francois

Fir will work well as long as you let it dry out first. It’s heavy and stiff stuff.

Chris

Thank you tremendously for the knock-down design. I was wondering of it’s possible to use fir for the construction, instead of hardwood? Would the reduction in weight and stability of the wood drop to a relatively useless level?

I ask as I don’t have a shop and would need to knock down and store the bench between uses during the day.

Or you can make the top a shade longer….

Chris

I understand how adding another strecher to the side assembly makes it much easier to break down the bench, but doesn’t the right hand one interfere with the end vise’s mechanism? How did you resolve this proble? Did you 1) cut a notch in the stretcher to allow room for the guide rods, or 2) move the top toward the left to allow the mechanism to fit? Wouldn’t moving the top to the left make the workbench tippy?

I look forward to your answer.

Cheers,

Francois