Workbench?

Shibbibilybob

Hey guys
I know this is a long shot, but I am trying to find a nice hardwood workbench, with a front and tail vise and some bench dog holes and so on.
Something like this would be ideal : http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=51104&cat=1,41637 Though perhaps with draws and cupboards beneath, to add mass and store tools.

So far, the only ones I have come across in the cape town area are either really costly beautiful custom benches (http://www.teakbench.co.za/Bench.html#) or quite a bit cheaper at hardware centre, although seemingly a decent bench, the vises on this bench dont look adequate and I am pretty sure I will want an upgrade in a year or two if I go with this model.

Does anyone know of an alternative? Perhaps a middle ground option? I am sure there are plenty guys around who do this type of work for a living, and I am hoping that maybe one of you guys knows one ?

Thanks for any help I receive.
Andrew

flatfourfan

Shibbibilybob wrote: Hey guys
I know this is a long shot, but I am trying to find a nice hardwood workbench, with a front and tail vise and some bench dog holes and so on.
Something like this would be ideal : http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=51104&cat=1,41637 Though perhaps with draws and cupboards beneath, to add mass and store tools.

So far, the only ones I have come across in the cape town area are either really costly (R18k) beautiful custom benches (http://www.teakbench.co.za/Bench.html#) or quite a bit cheaper (R4500) at hardware centre, although seemingly a decent bench, the vises on this bench dont look adequate and I am pretty sure I will want an upgrade in a year or two if I go with this model.

Does anyone know of an alternative? Perhaps a middle ground option? I am sure there are plenty guys around who do this type of work for a living, and I am hoping that maybe one of you guys knows one ?

Thanks for any help I receive.
Andrew

Seen this one? It's in Kempton though. I'm on the prowl for one myself. Will probably end up making one though.

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-other/kempton-park/rhodesian-teak-woodwork-bench-with-vices/1001085712960910006311309

lapdawg

I have never found a decent one at a decent price. A good workshop needs a lot of things & I figure that the bench is something you can save by improvising.
Consider this: Get yourself an 18mm sheet of Baltic Birch ply, and bolt it to an old pine sideboard or frame or something like that.
You can cut the BB to the size that works for you, stiffen it by doubling up edges, build on a vice at you leisure, build in a router etc. etc. Any dog holes etc are easy to add.
BB ply is very true, warp resistant, tough & sands beautifully for a clean up. IMO - it perfect for a work top.
www.itmwood.co.za in Somerset West stock & deliver BBply, as does someone (can't recall offhand) in Paarden Island.
BB Ply is also great for building jigs etc.
Let me know if you want any more info.

Graeme