Handyman Guide > The Workbench

It is not difficult to construct a strong workbench, and Fig. 1 gives the required information about the joints. The length may vary from 4 to 6 feet, according to the accommodations available. The width should not be less than 2 feet 3 inches, and a comfortable height for the average man is 2 feet 6 inches.

Construct the two end frames first. The legs are of 4 x 4 inch stock and are connected at the top by a length of 1 x 4 in. They are also joined near the bottom by a similar piece, the lower edge of which may be about 2 inches from the bottom.

Any difficulty in joining is avoided by screwing the 1 x 4's to the top and bottom of the legs with No. 12 screws, 2 1/2 inches long.

To assemble the end-frames, place the legs in their proper relative positions on the floor with a 1 x 4 inch bearer across them, and check the angles with a square. Mark the position for a hole in one leg by passing a brad awl through the hole made previously in the bearer. Remove the bearer and start the hole at the awl mark. Put the bearer on again and screw it at the one hole only, testing with the square before tightening. Now square the bearer with the opposite leg, bore one hole there, and turn in the screw tightly. Bore for the remaining two screws and insert them.

Screwing on the rail near the bottom of the table is easy because the legs are now held ill position at the top. Check wi.th the square to be sure, and measure from the bottom to make certain that the rail is equidistant up each leg.

Take the second end-frame in the same way. The two end-frames are connected by top rails, also cut from 1 x 4 's, which extend to cover the .ends of the frames. Two lower rails, somewhat narrower in width, parallel the top rails and are at right angles to the lower rails of the frame. Use a 12-gauge, 2-in. screw for both sets of long rails and bore holes for two screws at the end of each rail. Place the end-frames on the floor in proper position and the tight distance apart. While an assistant holds the frames upright, fit one top rail to one end of a frame, square it with the legs of the frame, and tighten the serew to prevent the rail from slipping. Square the other end of the rail with the legs of the opposite frame and drive a nail a short way through one of the holes to fix the rail in proper position.

Insert one screw into this frame, carefully pull out the tcmporary nail without altering the location of the rail, and replace it with a second screw. Insert the second screw in the opposite frame. Gently turn the partly assembled bench over and secure the other top rail in a similar manner. Put on the lower rails one by one, following the same procedure.

Continue to building a workbench part 2



Tools and Materials
Hammers - Handsaws - Screwdrivers - Chisels - Brace and Bit - Hand Drill - Brad Awl - Planes - Files - Measuring Tools - Rules - Squares - Marking Gauge - Levels - Pincers - Nail Set - Drawknife - Cabinet Scraper - Small Tool Kit - Putty Knife - Pliers - Wrenches - Paint Scraper - Sharpening Tools - Nails - Wood Screws - Corrugated Fasteners - Mending Plates - Bolts - Abrasives - Woodworking Glue - Splices and Joints.

The Workshop
Equipping the Workshop - Heating - Fire Precautions - The Workbench - Saw Bucks - Tool Rack.

Home Construction
Elements of the House - Building Materials - Lumber - Molding - Kinds of Wood and their Characteristics - Plywood Wallboard - Roofing Materials - Concrete - Mixing Concrete - Cement Mortar - Concrete Forms - Concrete Blocks - Cinder Blocks - Bricklaying - Fieldstone - Anchoring in Masonry - Soldering.

Furniture
Upholstered Furniture - Furniture Upkeep - Removing Stains - Removing Dents - Leather Upholstery - Cane Seats - Furniture Repairs - How to Repair Breaks - Levelling furniture - Remodeling Furniture - Polishes and Polishing - French Polishing - Painting Furniture - Sticking Drawers - Metal Furniture.

Painting
Paint Brushes - Storing Brushes - Varnish - Water Paint and Plastic Paint - Types of Paint - Paint Thinners - Mixing Paints - Preparing the Surface - Painting Flaws - Removing Paint - Exterior Painting - Painting New Wood - Repainting - Metal - Interior Painting - Calcimine - Painting Woodwork - Old Wood Trim - Staining - Fillers - Varnishing - Bleaching - Enameling - Painting Radiators - Painting Concrete - Shingles - Stoves and Stove Pipes - Whitewash.

Heating
Home Heating Systems - Chimneys - Coal Furnaces - Fuels - Burning Wood - Furnace Dampers - Starting a Coal Fire - Removal of Ashes - Coal Stokers - Oil Burners - Kerosene Heaters - Thermostats - Boiler Dampers - Fuel Economy - Warm Air System - Steam System - Vacuum System - Hot Water System - Radiators - Boilers - Maintaining the System - Insulating the System - Home Insulation - Storm Windows - Weather Stripping - Insulating Your Home - Blanket and Rigid Insulation - Unfinished Attic and Exterior Walls - Winterizing a Cabin - Preparing the foundation - Winterproofing a Cottage - Fireplaces - Reducing Condensation - Humidity.

Plumbing
The Plumbing System - Fresh water supply - Low Water Pressure - Hot Water System - Hot Water Heaters - Hot Water Tanks - Dirty Hot Water - The Sewage System - Sewage Disposal - Cesspools - Septic Tanks - Clearing Sewer Pipes - Clearing Drains - Plumbing Traps - Toilet Traps - Noisy Plumbing - Leaks in Water Tanks - Frozen Pipes - Clogged Water Pipes - Hard Water - Faucets - Shower Mixing Valves - Leaky Flush Tanks - Flush Valves - Removing Toilet Bowl - Leaky Pipes - Draining the Plumbing - Sealing Traps - Draining the Heating System - Types of Pipe - Insulating Pipes - Water Corrosion - Cleaning Fixtures.

Electricity
Definition of Terms - Ohm's Law - Alternating and Direct Current - Sources of Electrical Power - The Electrical System - Overloading the Circuit - Rewiring - Reading a Meter - Precautions - Fuses - Types of Cord - Splicing Wires - Replacing Plugs and Switches - Home Lighting - Electric Motors - Signaling System - Transformers - Burglar Alarms - Repairing the System - How to Install a Bell System.

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