At 1:47 PM -0500 2/26/97, Joseph Dolinar wrote:
	[His good bio, here totally snipped, adding:]

>Also, I have a question about workbench bases.  I've always assumed that
>they would be constructed out of 4x4 stock.  But I have been seeing many
>designs which laminates 4/4 stock to build up the thickness.  I have never
>seen a discussion regarding the pros/cons of 4x4 vs laminated bases.
>Anyone have any insights they can give me?

	When I impulsively resolved to build a real woodworker's bench a
couple of years ago, my available materials consisted of a sizable stack of
salvaged maple 1x4s (nominal, really 3/4"x3 1/2", of course).  The top is
laminated to 2 1/4" thick, with 3 1/2" aprons, including around tool/chip
tray.  All stringers and rails are of this stock, flat.  The legs are
fabricated by cutting rabbet edges in two pieces and gluing them together
in an "L" profile.
	Warning. ASCII art attempt follows:

	____
	|   |
	|   |	<---Profile of leg assembly as seen from above (or below)
	|   |
	| __|________
	|_| 	    |
	|___________|

	As has been revealed to relative oldtimers to the list (like, last
fall), the stringers and rails are fixed on the outside surfaces of these
legs with (joinery purists, avert eyes here)-- 3/8' carriage bolts. One
reason for the steel joinery is that I wanted to be able to disassemble for
moving.  Don't plan to spend the rest of my days in this part of the world,
and the bench goes with me.
	This is a lot less material than a full 4x4 square, but just about
as much lateral and horizontal strength and rigidity, at least for the uses
to which I put this bench.  I've done a reasonable amount of heavy planing
on it, and it don't wobble, don't rack, just sits there and lets me bang on
it and push against it in various directions.
		Tom Holloway
Just say (tm) If Whittier Production Studios actually comes out with the
Galootavision spectactular, you can see this bench and a few other of my
spechul thangs on video.  But I sure hope Paddy doesn't consider this a
nudge, etc. (What's he doing gloating about his amazing feats of joinery,
when he should be spending every spare moment dubbing tape, anyhow?  ;-)