Building my own Workbench

 Building my own Workbench out of White Oak & Black Walnut!

This is the style I have decided to go with, only difference is going to be adding  a eight inch tool tray in the center as well as a shoulder vise on the side without one. That may end up being to much with the shoulder vice. That's something I have been having trouble with, deciding which kind of vices to use and acquiring these vice.  Im thinking the base will oak except for the four cross pieces.  Going to do those in black walnut. Then the apron  will be  made of oak on the sides and the two end pieces of black walnut.  The contrast of the light and dark woods will look  amazing in my opinion. Come on guys give me your best advice, comments, and criticisms. Help me grow. 

Caleb Lewis of Appalachian Woodshop

Black Walnut River Table With Green Accent and Tinted Black Epoxy Resin.

 Black Walnut River Table With Green Accent/Smokey Black Epoxy Resin.

This was my very first river table, as well as the first time I had ever used any kind of epoxy. I must say it was quite a learning experience. I made several pretty big mistakes which resulted in losing a considerable amount of the epoxy. I also made a mistake by using a really bowed board. Now I'm going to have to do another pour to level everything out. I'm not finished with it yet but I will post up dates once I finish everything. I think its going to be pretty sweet once I get everything finished up. Let me hear any ideas you might have and definitely any suggestions of how to make the process easier and faster.

Poured a green accent with epoxy resin.

First river table epoxy resin pour.

First river table epoxy pour.

Different angle shot of river table.

Prepping for river table pour of epoxy. 

River table pour prepping.

Form built for epoxy river table pour.

Form for epoxy river table.

Form for epoxy river table.

My second cutting board project.

 This is my second cutting board project I completed. I tried doing a checkerboard design on this one. I used poplar and black walnut to achieve the light and dark contrast.  I think it turned out pretty well I just didnt get everything to match in measurement and you can tell by everything not lining up properly. Other than that I think it turned out pretty good considering its my second one.

Most Recent Projects

 I'm going to open with some photos of my most recent projects. I have a few photos of some end grain  cutting boards. These are also my very first projects, so I'm sure they are not perfect and would love any feedback I can get. Tips and tricks to make the process easier and (or) faster. I'm looking to start mass producing cutting boards like these, to sell online and locally. Too eventually start building custom workbenches. So any and all advise will be greatly appreciated.

My very first cutting board.

My very first cutting board.

My first cutting board.