Gulf Island Building.

cocobolo · 01-04-2010, 02:05 AM

Here's the first clamping test. It is really nice that the jaws stay parallel, even with the work clamped way off center.

cocobolo · 01-04-2010, 02:10 AM

When Chris built the original bench, he didn't put the shelf in the bottom, due to photographic time constraints. It took him several years to finish the job.
Fortunately, we have no such restrictions here.
The shelf is typical overkill, made from thicknessed pieces of 2 x 12.
6 pieces cover the length with room to spare. It is planed down to 1 1/4" thick, and then a tongue and groove is added. As he points out in the book, not necessary, but nice.

cocobolo · 01-04-2010, 02:12 AM

Shelf installed and notched out for the legs. Since this will be the only time it sees daylight, a picture was in order.

cocobolo · 01-04-2010, 02:16 AM

One small thing I did differently from the book, was to make a small recess at the leg vise end of the front stretcher for the deadman to slip in and out of. The original deadman could be removed anywhere along the stretcher. It struck me that there may be the possibility of the deadman coming off its' track accidentally. For example in the case of an 8.9 earthquake, you never know. This one needs to be at the end.

cocobolo · 01-04-2010, 02:18 AM

At the left hand end of the bench a crochet is installed. I used yet another chunk of arbutus wood for this one.

Shamus · 01-04-2010, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocobolo

Since this will be the only time it sees daylight, a picture was in order.

I can appreciate those words

Very nice project and great photo's.

cocobolo · 01-04-2010, 02:44 PM

Shamus: I see you know exactly what I meant! Actually I want to put some kind of finish on it, so I shall try very hard to resist the urge to cover it with tools.

shumakerscott · 01-04-2010, 03:36 PM

I see in the pic that your tightening arms are at the same position. I would think that you would want them 90 degrees off so you could have a longer pipe for cranking it tight without each side hitting each other. The bench looks fantastic. dorf dude...

cocobolo · 01-04-2010, 08:15 PM

Actually Shu, the way it works is like this. Each of the two handles has a set screw on it, and it keeps the handles apart from one another. Works very well. I'll take two or three pics later in sequence to show you what I mean.

cocobolo · 01-06-2010, 01:03 AM

This one's for you Shu...

cocobolo · 01-06-2010, 01:05 AM

My latest self inflicted Christmas gift arrived today in the mail from L.V.
It's the bench screw for the leg vise.
Yet another piece of arbutus bites the dust for the jaw.

scoggy · 01-08-2010, 08:36 PM

Just a point of 'history' but those "knobs' on steering wheels were called "suicide knobs"...don't know why they were called that in the "automotive' zone..but your whole setup is 'superb'...waiting for the next installment!
Squid

cocobolo · 01-08-2010, 10:44 PM

Hi Scoggy...yes, I think you're right. I was never cool enough to have one, but in any event if you didn't have power steering, all they did was get in your way.
Been busy doing a ton of thicknessing on some cedar boards for the final soffit outside. No rush at this time of year, but might as well get it ready for when the weather improves.
Wife number two has decreed that the house MUST be finished this year...or else. Not quite sure what the "or else" might yield, but neither do I care to find out.
So, I guess you can expect to see quite a bit of activity over the coming months.

ponch37300 · 01-08-2010, 10:52 PM

Nothing like a little motivation!

Looking forward to the progress pictures!

cocobolo · 01-08-2010, 10:57 PM

Yeah! You said it! Even the mrs is doing some varnishing on all the little fiddly bits of cedar we will need to double glaze the french doors. Heaven only knows why they don't put two layers of glass in at the factory.