Good fast and cheap work bench

Here is the PDF I used to build my work bench.


Good Fast and Cheap Workbench -

Wooden Mallet

So the other day I wanted a wooden mallet. I could pay the $15-30 for a beech or maple mallet that I would smash up eventually. Or, I could build my own out of some scrap material I had laying in the wood bin. Google "simple wooden mallet" and someone has already done the leg work for me. Thank you Sawdust making. It really is a good simple mallet that I won't mind banging up, why, because "I brought you into this world and I can make another just like ya". Anyways that money saved can go to wood for another project.

Things I did different:

Handle is 12" x 1.5"

Head is 3" tall

I adjusted the interior dimensions to accommodate the changes. I started with a piece of nice red oak 3/4" x 3.5" and tried to expand or contract dimensions to cut as little as possible.

Start of glue up. The 2 interior pieces glued to the handle.





Exterior slabs glued on:


Now time for the spoke shave to smooth the faces and round the handle.










I will drill for dowels through and through so it all stays together longer. I am not sure of the finish I think I might just leave it the way it is. All and all I think it was worth the time, 2 nights and money, FREE.

Compost bin

So the next project is .......the outdoor compost bin. Why? Well right now our compost pile is really just a pile, two actually, and they need a little help to be contained. So in scouring the web to find a design I liked I came upon this:




This is from the Riverside California waste management site. I like the layout but the changes will be : No top, at least for now and some of the screening will be wood slats. I will try and make the front slats removable, either separately or section by section. I have salvaged deck material from the in-laws that this will be made from. They are 2x6x12 treated lumber, most of the treatment has worn off but it is still very usable. This is the same lumber that the garden beds were constructed from. I think using 2x6 material is a bit overkill for this so to begin I am going to rip some in half and have 2x3x12 to work with. The whole unit will be screwed together unless I can find a better way.

Kids Bookcase

The kids bookcase is done. Its three sections wide on top (29") and two on the bottom (36"). I have to get a picture of the one at the library so you can see what I was going for. It is pretty much built so the kids can dance on it and it won't break. The bottom is 3/4" plywood and the top is 5/8" pine. The ply was salvaged from the side of the road and the pine was from our kitchen remodel. When I tore the kitchen out I saved as much of the built-in stuff as I could. I could have left the top un-painted but it had stains all over so it would have been much work to make it look nice. Anyway over all it turned out well and fits its function.





Next project is.....?

Workbench and Bookcase

So here is the finished workbench. I say "finished" but I think it will always be a work in progress. Adding something here and there, planing the top to make it smoother and taking out nicks. I think it came out OK considering it was my first try and it was completely built from scrounged lumber. So in essence it was free just my labor.




Sitting on the bench is the bottom to the kids bookcase. The lighting for the picture is horrible. It really is painted gloss white (easy cleaning).


Here is the top to the bookcase. It still needs painting and then attached to the bottom. I gave up on the finger joints for the sides and just used a butt joint with a through dowel. It is plenty strong and since it will be painted I figured there is no need to get really fancy. I will post a final picture, in good lighting, when it is done (maybe a few days).

Woodwrights School

Roy Underhill, host of the PBS show "The Woodwrights Shop", has finally opened his own school of woodworking. Since I don't want to copy the flyer, Here is the link. Below is a picture of Roy and his new school.




PS. I promise to update about the workbench and Kids bookcase

Workbench is standing

Well here is an almost finished workbench.

This is a shoot of the top



And here is how I put the legs together. I originally wanted to do bridal joints but it was not looking good. So the half lap it is.


So far the only thing I have bought to put this together is glue. But I have used that on other things so really its $0 outlay. I have the stretchers to put on across the front and back and the 2x4 "backsplash". Then the final will be to hand plane the top. Lots and lots of fluffy shavings.