89, страница 14

Building a Large Benchtop

set glue works best here. Then it's just a matter of "clamping" the two layers together using the screws.

To build up the other layers, I followed a similar process. First, I glued up and installed the two long strips along the outside edges of the top. Then, I sized a filler block to fit in between, gluing and screwing them in place. Be sure to stagger the screws to avoid interfering with the screws in the top.

Add the Edging. At this point, you're ready to add the edging. My problem was none of the clamps I had spanned the length of the top. If you have pipe couplers, you can simply "make" longer clamps.

For my top, I tried something different (photo above). Instead, I connected the clamps in series to create "longer" clamps that reached from one end to the other.

ShopNotes No. 89

them up. To do this, I used screws to keep everything aligned and act as "clamps." Plus, working in stages makes things less hectic.

I started by cutting the top two layers to final size. Then, after clamping them together with the edges flush, I pre-drilled all the holes for the screws.

With the screw holes complete, you can separate the two layers and spread on some glue. A slow-

SECOND: cut edge

STRIPS ANO f ILLEE BLOCKS TO SIZE. THEN GLUE AND SCREW TOGETHER

THIRP: glue

and screw edge 5tr1ps and filler blocks to top layers

A large workbench like the one on page 30 presents a couple challenges — building the layered top and then adding the edging.

Layering the Top. The trick with the top is keeping all the layers flush with each other as you glue

FIRST; cot top two layers to size, then glue and screw together with edges flush

N0T1

bott< side up

FOURTH: add

edging to sides, then glue edging to ends of top (5ee photo above)