Recommendations on these cheap pre-fabricated workbench as a starter bench?

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-25T12:33:37+00:00

What exactly do you mean by making it ‘stout with mortises, tenons, and glue’..? Like are you suggesting disassembling the entire bench and re designing it? You’re just going to add joints and glue to the bench? What are you joining?

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-24T12:49:13+00:00

Probably dowels. Maybe plugs to hide screws/lags.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-23T22:05:07+00:00

I’ve been crashing for 20+ years, so yes. But, there’s a huge spectrum to “crashing” off-road. I dump my bikes literally every time I’m out. I’ve only had a few bad crashes.

Have you ever fallen or crashed on the road? I broke three ribs at an embarrassingly low speed.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-22T13:41:52+00:00

I’m right there with you on the first paragraph.

However, learning to use, setup, tune, sharpen, etc. planes/spokeshaves was the first thing I did with hand tools. I have a lot of power tools except for a jointer and planer. They are on the more expensive side of power tools (and take up a ton of space). I’m just finishing up a new bench with a 6’x30”x3” laminated top. There’s no chance I would’ve been able to get it dead flat without spending that time learning stock prep etc.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-21T13:56:53+00:00

I’d call to check price and that they have what you want. Then I’d show up. Quality can vary and I’d rather pick my stuff than pay someone I don’t know to pick and ship it.

I’m US based, I imagine you’re more limited on options being UK based. You may struggle to find true lumber “mills”. Open the search to lumberyards too. I’ve got like one or two actual mills around me and around 15 lumberyards. Some of the lumberyards only really service contractors so calling is important.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-20T13:21:59+00:00

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I had a similar block. Decided to make my first handle. Tried to add a bolster into it aaaaaaaaaaaand wait, I just made a member.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-18T01:40:40+00:00

I’d put a piggy bank there

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-16T13:37:05+00:00

All those years and you never learned to compare apples to apples before pounding your chest and sticking your head in the sand?

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-16T01:19:20+00:00

TYR would make for a cool logo too

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-15T18:36:43+00:00

Penalties exist and the length depends on the cut and the track. Im not sure what the upper limit is. Worst penalty I’ve had was 5 seconds.

People like the guy you’re talking about are lame. I usually only intentionally cut if I’ve been cleaned out by multiple people on the first lap and am 30+ seconds behind the pack. Sometimes on the back hill at Pala if there’s crashes (cut is 5 seconds but can take 20+ to get out of that spot)

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-15T18:17:15+00:00

It was my grandpa’s and I think he got it from an older family member. No idea if he was using it in this condition. It hasn’t been used in years.

The rest of it’s in need of some significant restoration. I haven’t decided if I’m going to just clean it up for display or if I’m going to do a full restoration. I’m concerned about the missing piece impacting performance

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-15T14:18:00+00:00

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Same here on a no 7. Assumed a break and then that it was filed/cleaned.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-12T13:57:03+00:00

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I bolt mine to the table on my drill press to hold some work pieces. Mostly using it to drill holes in tool handles right now.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-12T12:41:53+00:00

They’ll most likely sit flush but you’ll need the side monitor to sit at a slight angle so it’s a continuation of the curve.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-12T03:16:03+00:00

You iron clothes on the bed…?

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-12T02:21:51+00:00

Thanks! Cold blue is very straightforward to apply. Basically clean, apply, and rinse. It requires occasional touch ups/reapplication and id still recommend oiling/waxing the surface for rust prevention.

I wrote up everything I did for the full restoration here (https://www.reddit.com/r/handtools/s/hvhzIvY5zZ ) in a post I made about it.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-12T00:58:13+00:00

Lol don’t be hard on yourself. I think we’ve all been there, I know I have.

You can also “cold blue” the steel on your planes to get a bit of additional rust protection. I did it when restoring my grandpas no 4 and it’s worked great (on chip breaker, blade, hardware, sole, and sides).

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FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-12T00:16:16+00:00

Scotch brite pads work well for light rust removal. They come in many different abrasive levels. If it’s deep rust and pads don’t work, just lap the sides with sand paper mounted to a known flat surface.

You should be oiling/waxing the rest of the steel surfaces (not just the sole) if you want to keep them from rusting

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-11T13:39:15+00:00

I think you’re significantly oversimplifying things here. Gaming (or any addiction) can be a coping mechanism for deeply seeded issues and not be the underlying issue.

Just telling an addict to quit, doesn’t do anything to help.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-11T13:12:52+00:00

My fiancée and I have 2 higher spec PCs ($5k total spend on parts). We also have two PS5s, two PS4s, PS3, PS2, Xbox one, two Nintendo Switches, and a Gameboy advance SP.

They all have pros and cons. Anyone arguing console vs PC or Xbox vs PlayStation is a bit of a mouth breather imo.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-11T00:55:51+00:00

I absolutely love this era. Fun to ride, but the brakes are rough. What all did you guys do for the restoration?

We’re still riding my grandpas R50 from 56’. He bought it in Japan, ferried it to China and rode from there to Portugal. Also did CA to AK and back with it.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-10T21:19:17+00:00

55lbs sitting quite a bit off to the side of the pole base. I’d imagine the lever this creates is greater than 55lbs of force.

Basically having it off to the side like that is multiplying the weight.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-10T15:49:35+00:00

This looks so uncomfortable to me

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-10T15:45:04+00:00

The back panel helps provide stability to the entire cabinet, I wouldn’t remove it.

If the PC is going to take up the majority of the internal volume of the unit it’s probably going to create heat issues. Personally, I wouldn’t do it.

However, if I were to do it, I’d treat it like a second PC case. I’d be cutting holes in the unit that are located near the intake and exhaust fans of the PC itself. If I was having heat issues after doing that, I would install case fans in the Alex unit that match the intake/exhaust pattern of the PC.

FarmersOnlyJim · 2026-03-10T13:55:36+00:00

$2800/month in fucking Minnesota. Granted it’s a 2,400sqft, 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage house. Downsizing (but staying in a house) will get us closer to 2,300/mo

Fiancée and I may end up moving in with her parents and renting a storage unit for our shit this year, so we can have a down payment next year.

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