Workbench...

tod osier

tod osier

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Before I post any pics, let me say something about the monthly “workbench” thread… I have read every post here for the past 15+ years – as in every post in every thread other than when I’m travelling and can’t catch up… Anyway, that was true until the workbench thread came into existence… I seldom read the complete workbench after the first couple days once it gets too long and I know I miss a whole lot of good stuff.

I would encourage everyone this month not to post in my crappy workbench thread, but to post their own workbench thread – as this is how the forum has always worked. Title it “workbench” if you want and post up whatever you have cooking - be in the first, middle or end of the month.

Now, for my post… I got this project off my bench this month… a set of built ins (along with new ceiling and hardwood floor, new trim, etc...). The duck relatedness is that I have some decoys in on there now that I'm done. Room for plenty of books now (a few have been added since the pics ;), but I need to add some more display items from our vast collection of do-dads and junk. I still need to make cabinet fronts for the bottom row, but that will wait until the winter.

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Wisconsin decoys from Jen's Grandparents in Milwaukee. I don't think I've posted these here over the years... Hen has a cast aluminum head, drake is super oversize.

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Good morning, Tod~

Very nice work! I have a similar project on my List. We added the "Library" onto the house over 10 years ago - initially for my in-laws last years - but I have yet to build the necessary book (and decoy) shelving. In the meantime, we have made do with kit shelving from some local big box store - and Susan assembled them without my help.

Your thoughts about individual Work Bench posts makes sense.

All the best,

SJS
 
Good morning, Tod~

Very nice work! I have a similar project on my List. We added the "Library" onto the house over 10 years ago - initially for my in-laws last years - but I have yet to build the necessary book (and decoy) shelving. In the meantime, we have made do with kit shelving from some local big box store - and Susan assembled them without my help.

Your thoughts about individual Work Bench posts makes sense.

All the best,

SJS
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That is just where we were at as far as bookshelves. We were insulating the attic above and I thought to myself, geeze this is a great time to run some wire and punch some cans in and then it was new ceiling would be nice and then new floor and then it was June after starting in December.

As far as the workbench thread, people seem to like the idea, what about weekly (say Monday morning) so it doesn't get so long and keeps some momentum?

T
 
Well done Tod Like the floor, is that Hickory, I also have to install some cans in my den to help with failing eyesight. My only issue is the ceiling is textured and a real pain to patch and paint.
 
Well done Tod Like the floor, is that Hickory, I also have to install some cans in my den to help with failing eyesight. My only issue is the ceiling is textured and a real pain to patch and paint.
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Thanks Shawn! For the ceiling, just put a new one up :).

The floor is mill run hickory - lot of color variation and it made it much slower to put down. I'm happy with it, but it was slow to put down since you are not only fussing with overlaps and "H"s but also color. We bought a couple boxes extra and discarded the most off color stuff, but there still was a lot of variation to deal with.
 
Impressive work. I am in the middle of 50 things it seems but one is replacing the trim in the upstairs and going white. Is the rest of your house white trim or just this room now?
 
Impressive work. I am in the middle of 50 things it seems but one is replacing the trim in the upstairs and going white. Is the rest of your house white trim or just this room now?
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Almost all our trim is white, just one room where it is cream. It will be all the same when I'm done and I plan to change a lot of it out.
 
Tod

Very nice. Looks like you put a lot of work in. I bet your wife is thrilled with her new great room.

Eric
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Thanks! She is happy, other than when she was helping put the floor in :) - and that was just because she was working with me. She loves books, so it is only fitting that she have a nice place for them.

I will be thrilled once I get the cabinet doors made and installed!
 
Tod

From someone who's built 3 sets of built in bookshelves floor to ceiling, those turned out very good. I like the look of the shelves lining up, but we have some much variation in sizes of books we couldn't commit to permanent shelf height and went pegs, which makes it more of an eclectic look, but literally fills the wall with books.

What did you use for material for the bookcase? We opted for the pre-laminated white particle board/melamine. I think I could have done nicer if I'd laminated it myself, but would have been a crapload more work. Building from all wood and painting white didn't feel right, I like the look of the white cases in your house and mine.

Best
Chuck

PS I need my own workbench thread about the pile of fence materials in the driveway...
 
Tod

From someone who's built 3 sets of built in bookshelves floor to ceiling, those turned out very good. I like the look of the shelves lining up, but we have some much variation in sizes of books we couldn't commit to permanent shelf height and went pegs, which makes it more of an eclectic look, but literally fills the wall with books.

What did you use for material for the bookcase? We opted for the pre-laminated white particle board/melamine. I think I could have done nicer if I'd laminated it myself, but would have been a crapload more work. Building from all wood and painting white didn't feel right, I like the look of the white cases in your house and mine.

Best
Chuck

PS I need my own workbench thread about the pile of fence materials in the driveway...
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Thanks Carlos, I love a good fence workbench thread - bring it on!

I built the shelves as cabinets with 3/4 inch plywood and then faced with 3/4 poplar all painted. We struggled with the shelf height, but Jen measured and found a measurement she liked for most of the books. We have the lowest shelf of the bookcase big enough to fit our (my) big picture books. Jen is pretty good about donating books, so hopefully we can maintain steady-state.
 
Todd, it's beautiful. How big is it? The floor looks great. Are the cans on a single dimmer of do you have them set up in groups?

Best - Paul

PS I like your idea of individual work bench posts too.
 
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Todd, it's beautiful. How big is it? The floor looks great. Are the cans on a single dimmer of do you have them set up in groups?

Best - Paul

PS I like your idea of individual work bench posts too.
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Paul,

Sorry for the late reply, I was out of town. Thanks for the kind words - the book shelves cover 22 feet of wall. Kinda a big area for a uniform built in, but we needed book shelves. Originally, I was thinking of putting a nook with window, but we needed book shelves, so that is what we have. The cans are on a single switch. I wired them and could have broken them up, but they are LEDs and super energy efficient and figured when I want light I'll have it all or nothing. Overhead light is on a different circuit.
 
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