No progress

So no further progress has been made on the bench. Exams and other projects have taken a front seat unfortunately. I've also had trouble finding dried tallowwood. Thankfully I've had some expert advice on the tallowwood being over the top and that Hoop Pine would be a good option. I must admit I like the idea. It's still a native, it's grown in a sustainable manner and is much more readily available. It also wont mark any projects (being a softer wood) but still has sufficient weight and strength. Hopefully will be starting in September or October so stay tuned.

Sourcing Tallowwood

I've been keen on building this bench from Tallowwood ever since I began thinking about this project. What I didn't plan for was how difficult it would be to source in the sizes I need and a price that I can half afford. I nearly gave up trying to get hold of some quality Tallowwood and change the timber to some imported species but think I may have finally found some. Will have more to post in a month or so (hopefully with a picture of a big pile of Tallowwood in decent thicknesses).

New Wheel

When I received my vices there was a small cosmetic flaw on the hand wheel of my tail vice (a section had not been polished and resulted in a small hollow in the rim). I had not posted about this because I was awaiting the response by Benchcrafted.

Jameel and Fr. John promptly responded to the issue, answering a business e-mail on a Sunday, and offered to resolve the situation. Due to a misunderstanding around some communication via e-mail I quickly became the customer from hell. To Benchcrafted’s credit, they continued to liaise daily via e-mail to clarify and address my concerns. The great news is that a new hand wheel will soon be making its way to me. Jameel has even offered for me to keep the faulty one which will make a stunning paperweight in my office. A big thumbs up to Jameel and Fr. John for allaying my concerns and for making brilliant vices to exacting standards.

I’m now off to look at some timber for the bench. Can’t wait for the new wheel to arrive so I can keep progressing! Will keep you all posted.

Smoking Hot Wheels

Here's a few pictures after cooking my wheels with Flaxseed Oil. Forms a very tough enamel like finish and I love the bronzed colour. Should keep the rust off the wheels very well.

Instructions on how to do this can be found on the Benchcrafted blog here

Christmas is Early

Look what was on my door step on Friday!

Box was very well packed with the heavy sticker telling no lies. Photo's following show the unpacking process.

Tail Vice

Moxon Vice

Bench Hardware

Leg Vice

The vice handles are currently in the oven with a coat of Flaxseed oil to provide an enamel coat for rust prevention (see here). Will post photos when I have finished the five coats.
 

Vises are on their way!

I've just received my tracking number! Should have my hardware and the full plans by the end of next week. Next post will be the unwrapping (a month early Ho Ho Ho).

To The Point

This blog is hopefully going to follow my progress as I build the wonderful Benchcrafted Shaker Bench. My order is in and I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the plans and hardware. Along the way I plan to share my experiences and mistakes in construction of the bench. Before even starting I knew it was high time I procured some decent layout tools. With thanks to Derek Cohen's site, I have just completed a scratch awl. Point is a concrete nail and body is turned from a piece of Red Mulga.

I plan to add a striking knife in the next few weeks and have another piece of the Mulga ready to go. The next post will likely cover it's construction unless my vises arrive first!

I anticipate this project is going to take one to two years to complete and it should be noted I will not be including any detailed construction notes or plans in my blog as these a readily available from Benchcrafted. The purpose really is to chronicle the genesis of my bench and ultimately this blog is for myself to reflect back on the journey taken. Feel free to follow along!