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Junior Strasil's Portable Workbench

KCWWG Member, Junior Strasil will be at the Woodworking Show and at the KCWWG Presentation of the Lie-Neilsen Hand Tool Event with his entire 1800s Workshop.

 

My bench top is 5 foot long 11 1/4 inches wide, 4 inches thick made of Linden (Bass Wood). It is 36 inches tall and has 19 inch wide feet of Ash, and the stretcher and off end are also of Ash. The vise leg is of Bass Wood. The Vise and the Apron are of Oak.

A view of the working side showing the hole spacing in the Apron and the 4 bench hold downs at the end.



The vise with metal screw, and showing the bottom adjustment holes and the 3/4 hole in the top for clamping peg.


The large double screw vise of Oak.



In place on the bench.


Notice the 2 flat head brass screws in the top countersunk below the top a bit. One is up just a ways showing how I use it as a stop to plane narrow strips. 1/8 thick is shown.
 
 

I use a wedge system with pegs in the top 3/4 holes to clamp hard to hold pieces for planing. This view is for right to left planing so the plane will work on the tapered piece and the bench top will not interfere.


A view from the end showing the pegs on the back side.


Wedges reversed for planing when the grain is the other direction.


Shorter pegs and thinner wedges for thinner material.


The different pegs and wedges laid out on the top, the 3 odd ones have brass tops for using with the vise to hold long stuff.


The peg and wedge system is all stored in this box.