Last year my son and his fiancé bought a house with a very nice disconnected shop. Finally made time to build him a workbench. I offered oak for the top from here: Oak is no joke! Used this pic for inspiration. I had a spare vice to give him too. I’m sure he will get a larger one soon. The plank in the left side of this pic will become a bench on that wall. That’ll happen another day and I’ll post progress. Told him I wanted to sand it a little and apply a coat or two of BLO. Probably run a round over bit on the router to soften edges too.
My first go round with milling was freehand. I had an acquaintance that was/is an arborist. I offered help on a big walnut removal and asked him if I could chunk out the base for lumber. Came home with 2 big pieces. Then I asked a guy that was my neighbor growing up that had a band mill to cut em. 7/14 he sliced them up, been air drying since. 1/2 tempted to sell them at this point. I've had them on the roof joist of my garage just collecting dust.
Got back to Andrews place today. Added the second side and did a little sanding to smooth it a bit. Calling it finished. Gonna keep my eye out for a big ol’ vice for him. That one just doesn’t cut the mustard. Quality time w/ the boy!
That vise looks identical to the one I have. It holds my 192T and my 362 when I am sharpening the chains.
There is no better house warming gift for your son. That oak top is perfect. The weight alone is going to make it super stable. You get dad of the year for that one!
