Workbench

Well, I have finally begun to work on a new workbench that I will need in order to begin work on our baby's crib! Funny how you start one project and that project spawns into three more projects.

I would like to eventually build a European style workbench, but I neither have the time nor want to spend the money at this point. I decided to use 2x4s to build a similar workbench after talking to my dad, who just finished building a similar workbench by ripping 2x6s in half. I already had a stack of 2x4s laying around, so I decided to do the following:

European Style Workbench

1. Rip the 2x4s down to 2" x 3-1/4".

2. Glue two of the ripped 2x4s together.

3. Screw the two 2x4s together using 3-1/2" screws to secure the bond during the drying process.

4. Repeat the process with a third 2x4 and use the 3-1/2" screws from the opposite side. This way, after the glue has dried, I will be able to remove the screws.

5. Clamp the three 2x4s together and let it set-up for 24 hours.

I will repeat this process by adding two more 2x4s to the outside of the table each day. Eventually, as the table becomes wider, I will use more temporary screws and only my larger 36" clamps. I am currently planning on using 16 2x4s to complete the table top. I will then use a belt sander to even off the table top and then add legs.

The Baby Crib
I am going to build a crib for our baby out of Maple. I bought the plans and hardware for the crib from Rockler. The plans meet the requirements set by the National Safety Counsel. We had been really unsatisifed when originally shopping around for cribs, so as I always say, "I'll just build it".

We had been planning on using Walnut as an accent piece for the crib's end caps (would sit under the top Maple end cap). We were at Rockler store this weekend picking up some clamps and decided instead to use Cocobolo for the accent pieces. We had fallen in love with this type of wood a few months ago while at the same Rockler store. This wood is absolutely beautiful. It is imported from South America and is twice as dense as Walnut. It will sink if placed in water! Cocobolo is very popular in gun and knife handles. I talked to a few experienced woodworkers who recommended using Gorilla Glue or sealing the wood before gluing to other types of woods, because of its oiliness. It is also advised to wear a dust mask because a lot of people will develop allergies when breathing in the Cocobolo saw dust.