#Attaching bench top to Roubo non-permanently

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

distant zinc
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I'm referencing both the Benchcrafted and AWB plans for building my workbench and am now thinking about which way to use to attach the top to the base so that it might be removed in future for transport.
My ideas so far are:

  • Use the big mortise and tenon joints of the AWB and just don't glue them. I'm making a split top so each half will only be secured by two mortises.
  • Supplement the joints with lag screws through the top stretchers (not in AWB, added to support the split top and gap stop)

Should I be concerned with only using the mortise and tenon joints or am I likely to need additional points of securing?
I think if I build the legs and top the way the AWB suggests, the largest wood movement planes in each will be perpendicular?

placid basalt
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This is not something I've tried, but I suspect if you have any problem "just using the M/T joints to hold on the top", that problem will not be your top flying off. It will be the top refusing to come off for transport.

distant zinc
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I was a little concerned about that, I should reread the benchcrafted guide and see if they say they undersize their tenons so they're just for alignment

placid basalt
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oh, is the benchcrafted a split top?

distant zinc
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Yeah it is

placid basalt
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okay, that is at least somewhat relevant.

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To remove my bench's top you'd need to lift all four corners of some 150lb slab evenly. Not very likely. A split top though would not be quite so cranky.

distant zinc
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Sorry that factoid was a bit hidden in my wall of text

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Ok the intro to the benchcrafted describes the tenons as well-fit so it doesn't sound like they're making the joint intentionally loose

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Maybe they mostly use the lag screws to hold the base and top together when you want to shift it by picking up the top

quaint shuttle
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do both things

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tenons not glued in the front & back, drive lags through the aprons in middle

distant zinc
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Yeah that seems to be the benchcrafted method, I guess I was just wondering if I could/should skip the lag screws but it sounds like no

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Thanks both of you!