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I'm sure this has been discussed, but I found out that I don't have a completely level for planeing (sorry if thats not the proper spelling). I am attempting to thickness the tops and backs, and sides using hand planes, and obviously I need a completely level surface for this type of work. I have a workbench that is not perfectly level by any means, just a homemade job for now using 2X4's and plywood. I don't think I'm up to the task of making a nice bench myself right now, but maybe someday.

Any advice for which way to go on this. Should I make an MDF ply top to go on top of my exhisting bench? I would be willing to buy a small bench for planeing as long as it's not very expensive, but the problem is that most maple topped benches run around $500 for the cheaper models. Anyone know of any smaller benches that are not too expensive that would be suitable for this task?? I see that harbor freight has some oak versions that are reasonably priced, but is oak an acceptable wood for a bench?

Any tips would be great, thanks so much.

Jonas

It does not take much to have a surface level enough to do that work on. Here is my work surface. 2'x2'x3/4" MDF, with a 2x4 attached to the bottom, mounted in a Black and Decker Workmate Vise.

Not perfect, but it works for me, and I can get to three sides.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

A scrap of granite (used for countertops) can be had pretty cheap, is movable, and can be used for many tasks requiring a flat surface........

I use a 2x2 scrap table top from Ikea - got it for free... basically a laminated table top... cut down to 2x2 x 3/4.
I clamp this to my work bench - which is made of the same material.

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

If you live in the big city, phone the local counter top / kitchen cabinet manufactures, ask if they have a 3 or 4 ft of a tear out. Every tear out they don't gotta cut up for the dumpster saves them the cost of cutting it up and the dumpster fees so they are glad to just give them away.

I've seen a lot of real funky shops all done up in kitchen and bathroom decor counters and cabinets from the tear outs found in dumpsters.

the
Padma

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If you want, I'm about 1/2 hr away from you, & you can run them thru my drum sander.......don

A solid core door makes a great benchtop, heavy and flat. Solid, not hollow core. Motels remodeling give them away, or a discount home center/scratch 'n' ding type of place. Base of 2x4's and you're good to go.

Wow! Thank you all for your great replies! All great information and it's nice to know there are a few simple ways to go about this. It is so good to know that I don't have to buy some really expensive bench, yet another expense in my quest to build acoustic guitars. For the future, I will look at all your great hints and figure out which way I'll go, and eventually I'd like to modify my bench like Todd explained.

Todd, what are winding sticks? And what would I use these for?

For now, it would be absolutely amazing if I could just send these pieces through a drum sander, which I can't afford right now. I have been meaning to ask on this forum if anyone lived in Connecticut or around here, who had one. And Don M, your post is just like music to my ears! I cannot explain the frustration I have gone through even getting to this point, including ruining a back and side set of cuban mahogany and a red spruce top by sending it through my friends wide belt sander that he didn't really know how to use to well. but I'm happy that he was at least trying to help me.

So Don, please let me know if there would be a time that I could bring a few sets over to you if at all possible. I would be glad to pay for the help or a roll of sandpaper. I will PM you tomorrow, but right now I'm going to bed. But thank you so much for being so kind as to offer your assistance, and thank you so much everyone else as well.

Sincerely,

Jonas

Make your own thickness sander...most of the diy cost less than $100 to build. Just about every Luthiers forum and wood working site has a few members that have posted "how to." Mine cost me less than $30 and about 4 hours work.

Winding sticks http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=53276&cat=1,41182

Now the very best winding sticks are made form BRW...one from the dark heart wood and the other from the light coloured sapwood. They have to be exactly 1.7 x 1.4 x 23.5 inches, d4s and french polished. Me, I just use any old 2 pieces of wood.


blessings

Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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This is the flat thing I put on my table for planing:


I compensated the unevenness of the table with shims I glued to the board structure.



It is MDF which has the advantage not to move a lot when humidity changes. But I wish the surface was more denting resistent...

A really sturdy table is a big advantage too. Mine is convertible :


I do not convert it very ofthen though...

A table saw is pretty flat, too.