"Fun" with Woodworking

[Aikouka]

There are times when I decide to take on interesting projects, and there are times when I really wish there was a voice of reason in my life to say, "[aikouka], that sounds like a really bad idea!" Deciding to make my own workbench was one of those things. I based the design off one that I found on the net, which I don't see any problems with the design itself. I actually shortened the table from 5' to 4' because it made the most efficient cuts of a 4' x 8' sheet of MDF for the top.

Anyway, I've spent probably about 5 hours on this project already, and I quite literally don't have a proper upper frame (the part where the top goes) built yet. Now, I've built this thing about three times so far, but every time I go to attach the final leg, I see this...

When I put my level on the other long side, it came out level. Putting it on the other short side that's out of the photo comes up level as well. It's the two sides that you see in the photo that are just completely out of whack. The thing is... I've aligned them so many times! Is my wood just warped or something completely aggravating like that? At this point, I'd love to just throw it all away and buy some metal legs off Amazon, but they don't sell any 24" depth legs.

 

[pcgeek11]

IF your legs are all the same length how could it not be level?

Maybe you mean something else and have the terminology wrong.

Give us a picture of the whole thing. Can't see much from that one corner.

 

[Murloc]

A whole picture could make it easier to understand, but from my experience working with pieces of wood like those in the picture I can tell you that they always have a curvature you almost don't notice until it becomes a problem and even in my relatively simple project (speaker stands) they were a pain to align. I just added more woodscrews

 

[Nashemon]

Are you sure the floor is level?

 

[Greenman]

You don't use a level to build cabinets or furniture, you use a tape and a square. The level gets used when you install it. Make your cuts precise and assemble the bench, forget level.

 

[skyking]

You don't use a level to build cabinets or furniture, you use a tape and a square. The level gets used when you install it. Make your cuts precise and assemble the bench, forget level.

Then you stack as many old school matchbooks as necessary to get it level
No seriously, do what greenman said and then shim to level. I suggest bolting or screwing it to studs in the wall if it has a permanent home too. I get to messing around with stuff on the workbench and it is nice when I can't easily take it for a ride.

 

[Aikouka]

I'll have to get some more photos of it later on. I can tell you that it doesn't look like much right now. it's just a rectangular top frame and 3 attached legs. It's based off these instructions. It also didn't appear to be off until I tried to attach that last leg.

I can also say that it was fun trying to remove the glued pieces of wood. Although, it gave me another use for my hair dryer that doesn't involve hair.

Do you think that if I'm having an issue keeping things squared up that I could use an angle bracket (like this) to keep it squared?

You don't use a level to build cabinets or furniture, you use a tape and a square. The level gets used when you install it. Make your cuts precise and assemble the bench, forget level.

I wasn't using the level to build it. I used the level after I saw that it was impossible to attach the final leg... or well... to attach it in a proper way. I used right angle clamps to lock down the top frame and ensured they were square using a carpenter's square to check for gaps.

Then you stack as many old school matchbooks as necessary to get it level
No seriously, do what greenman said and then shim to level. I suggest bolting or screwing it to studs in the wall if it has a permanent home too. I get to messing around with stuff on the workbench and it is nice when I can't easily take it for a ride.

I actually thought about using a shim. I thought it might've been the corner that's out of the frame at the top, but after unscrewing it and adjusting the angle, it doesn't appear that joint is the problem. I'm wondering if it might be the long board at the bottom and where it's attached out of the photo.

When messing around with it, I did notice that the frame had some wobble to it when it was laid on the floor by itself.

Are you sure the floor is level?

It's not 100% level (the little bubble slightly crosses over the line), and I took that into account when using the level.

 

[herm0016]

measure from corner to corner on the top, and on the shelf and see if the whole thing is square.

 

[Greenman]

I'll have to get some more photos of it later on. I can tell you that it doesn't look like much right now. it's just a rectangular top frame and 3 attached legs. It's based off these instructions. It also didn't appear to be off until I tried to attach that last leg.

I can also say that it was fun trying to remove the glued pieces of wood. Although, it gave me another use for my hair dryer that doesn't involve hair.

Do you think that if I'm having an issue keeping things squared up that I could use an angle bracket (like this) to keep it squared?



I wasn't using the level to build it. I used the level after I saw that it was impossible to attach the final leg... or well... to attach it in a proper way. I used right angle clamps to lock down the top frame and ensured they were square using a carpenter's square to check for gaps.



I actually thought about using a shim. I thought it might've been the corner that's out of the frame at the top, but after unscrewing it and adjusting the angle, it doesn't appear that joint is the problem. I'm wondering if it might be the long board at the bottom and where it's attached out of the photo.

When messing around with it, I did notice that the frame had some wobble to it when it was laid on the floor by itself.



It's not 100% level (the little bubble slightly crosses over the line), and I took that into account when using the level.

You're really overthinking this. Just cut all four legs the exact same length and nail them in place. Your top might be racked, but it will straighten out when you set it on the floor. If it doesn't, jump on it until it does. This ain't rocket science, it's rough carpentry.

If this going in a garage, the floor is sloped. Figuring out that slope is pretty easy. Lay a board on the floor where the bench will go, shim the low end till it's dead level, then measure the gap at the end. That's how much longer the legs on that end need to be.

 

[Aikouka]

Here are some other photos since people asked...

I loosened up the bottom right joint and readjusted it to let everything square up. I have the four legs on, but I'm pretty sure that a few of them are slightly off. I don't know if it's enough to cause a problem, but my OCD doesn't like it. :|

You're really overthinking this.

That's pretty much the way I handle everything. You should hear me rant whenever someone tells me to use Pinterest. "Who would use that worthless site!? Their idea of a recipe is 'Eh, add a bit of this and some of that.' No! No! No! I need exact measurements!"

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Here are some other photos since people asked...

I loosened up the bottom right joint and readjusted it to let everything square up. I have the four legs on, but I'm pretty sure that a few of them are slightly off. I don't know if it's enough to cause a problem, but my OCD doesn't like it. :|



That's pretty much the way I handle everything. You should hear me rant whenever someone tells me to use Pinterest. "Who would use that worthless site!? Their idea of a recipe is 'Eh, add a bit of this and some of that.' No! No! No! I need exact measurements!"

Put adjustable leveling feet on the bottom of the legs, problem solved.

 

[mizzou]

You would probably have an easier time making the box first, then attach the legs.

Also, with 2x4's and such, it is normal for wood to be warped and to have to "Force" the wood to go where you want it. To help mitigate this, check the wood before buying it.

To check it, I always look at the board like I'm aiming a rifle. It's much easier to see dips and bends in the piece. If it looks way too wavy and you require a straight board, put it back and find another one.

 

[CraKaJaX]

You would probably have an easier time making the box first, then attach the legs.

Also, with 2x4's and such, it is normal for wood to be warped and to have to "Force" the wood to go where you want it. To help mitigate this, check the wood before buying it.

To check it, I always look at the board like I'm aiming a rifle. It's much easier to see dips and bends in the piece. If it looks way too wavy and you require a straight board, put it back and find another one.

Good advice here. I personally find big box stores (Lowes, HD) to have mostly junk when it comes to lumber. Knots, warping, chunks missing, etc. in a good percentage of their stock. Go to a local lumber yard for a better selection.

 

[Zargon]

I spend a lot of time picking lumber at menards

and I have given up on the non 'stud' quality ones.

 

[MongGrel]

You don't use a level to build cabinets or furniture, you use a tape and a square. The level gets used when you install it. Make your cuts precise and assemble the bench, forget level.

You're really overthinking this. Just cut all four legs the exact same length and nail them in place. Your top might be racked, but it will straighten out when you set it on the floor. If it doesn't, jump on it until it does. This ain't rocket science, it's rough carpentry.

If this going in a garage, the floor is sloped. Figuring out that slope is pretty easy. Lay a board on the floor where the bench will go, shim the low end till it's dead level, then measure the gap at the end. That's how much longer the legs on that end need to be.

This.

 

[Zargon]

yes that too.

 

[Greenman]

Good advice here. I personally find big box stores (Lowes, HD) to have mostly junk when it comes to lumber. Knots, warping, chunks missing, etc. in a good percentage of their stock. Go to a local lumber yard for a better selection.

A lot of that is going to depend on what grade of lumber you buy. 2x4 studs are generally standard and better (#2). If you want better quality try getting Select structural (#1). The next step up from that is clear and dry, but at that point it's probably cheaper to use Oak.
I've seen utility grade 2x4's in a couple places, cheap as dirt, and not really good enough to use as firewood.

 

[smackababy]

You don't use a level to build cabinets or furniture, you use a tape and a square. The level gets used when you install it. Make your cuts precise and assemble the bench, forget level.

This. A carpenter's square and a speed square are must haves for building anything.

 

[Aikouka]

Just to update, I ended up building most of the bench the other day. I've got everything on it except for the lower depth supports (short 21" boards going between each leg), and the 8.5" board that goes on the bottom of the legs. I was able to sort of fix it by removing the bottom screw and loosening the top screw on the bottom right edge. That let me pivot the board up while still keeping it in place. The bench still wobbles a bit on two of the edges.

This. A carpenter's square and a speed square are must haves for building anything.

A speed square is one of the things that I don't have. I was looking at one the other day in Lowes, and I was tempted to get it.