Workbenches and Miscellaneous Tools for Assembling a Pirate Play Ship
A good workbench is a "must” item for any woodworker, cabinetmaker, children’s playhouse builder or wood sculptor. Any woodworker who has had to work on an unstable surface will attest to this. The following are key requirements for any good bench.
1. Sturdiness achieved by weight and quality of construction.
2. The ability to hold your work in a variety of positions by means of clamps, vises, or bench dogs.
3. A large, smooth work surface.
4. An adequate tool tray.
In order to help you do hand work with confidence, it is suggested that any table you make or purchase meet the above criteria. Space available for your wood projects will help you decide the overall dimensions of your table. Although it is not necessary to paint or varnish the workbench, all surfaces should be sanded from top to bottom.
Many workbenches are fastened to the weight-bearing studs of the inner garage wall. This enables the bench to be made sturdily and remain fixed. Hardwood, such as oak, maple, ash, or birch, are ideal woods to be used in the construction of both the underpinning frame and the tabletop.
1. Sturdiness achieved by weight and quality of construction.
2. The ability to hold your work in a variety of positions by means of clamps, vises, or bench dogs.
3. A large, smooth work surface.
4. An adequate tool tray.
In order to help you do hand work with confidence, it is suggested that any table you make or purchase meet the above criteria. Space available for your wood projects will help you decide the overall dimensions of your table. Although it is not necessary to paint or varnish the workbench, all surfaces should be sanded from top to bottom.
Many workbenches are fastened to the weight-bearing studs of the inner garage wall. This enables the bench to be made sturdily and remain fixed. Hardwood, such as oak, maple, ash, or birch, are ideal woods to be used in the construction of both the underpinning frame and the tabletop.
WOODWORKING BENCHES
The underframe of the woodworking bench should be constructed of heavy-duty 2 by 4s and 4 by 4s. The top should be flat and capable of withstanding heavy blows. An end vise may be installed to provide clamping facilities. The woodworking bench is sometimes called a "cabinet maker’s bench."
Workmate Bench
Workmate benches are collapsible, which makes them relatively portable for purposes of storage or transporting. They are usually adjustable to two levels, offering a convenient height for sawing lumber and boards. These devices are reasonable in price and are becoming more popular among wooden playhouse builders and woodworking hobbyists. Local hardware stores and home improvement centers stock can order for you, or you can just buy one off the internet.
The following tools are items that facilitate working with wood. They should be included in your wooden pirate ship playhouse project and can easily be stored in drawers beneath the workbench or, in some cases, hung on a pegboard.
Miter Boxes
A miter box is a jig device which guides the blade of a back saw to cut wood at 45-degree miters or 90-degree squared ends. Simple in construction, this device is useful for making frames or cutting wood where angles need to be made accurately. The simplest version is made of wood and is dimensioned like a shoe box with slots that have been precut.
Protective Goggles
Made of high-impact plastic, goggles, or their counterpart, face shields, are required for not just putting together children’s playhouses, but any wood work where there is even the remotest possibility that injury to the eye or other parts of the face may occur. They are an absolute must when working with power tools and equipment. They should be distortion free, clear, and should have replaceable plastic lenses.
Carpenter’s Scribes
These provide a more reliable line on wood than do pencil points, which dull and frequently are imprecise. The scribe is made adjustable by means of loosening the thumbscrew, which is mounted on the side.
Safety Dust Masks
Carpenter’s Scribes
These provide a more reliable line on wood than do pencil points, which dull and frequently are imprecise. The scribe is made adjustable by means of loosening the thumbscrew, which is mounted on the side.
Safety Dust Masks
The masks protect against nuisance dust and non-toxic paint sprays. If you wear glasses, find a mask that is comfortable to wear with them. Replaceable filters are available on most kinds.
Gloves
Gloves
Although not necessary to wear when handling milled stock, gloves do service to the user when splintered or weather-beaten wood is to be cut, shaped, stripped, etc. The better ones are made of leather; some have cloth backs and a leather face on the palm side. When I was assembling my son’s wooden pirate play ship, I wore gloves all the time.
Lighting
Lighting for good visibility is best achieved with fluorescent fixtures mounted directly above the work area. A gooseneck lamp mounted near or on the bench for small detailed work is an excellent additional source of illumination. The lamp must be out of harm's way and should be positioned adjacent to the immediate work area. Such lamp is useful for working on the interior portion of the pirate play ship.
Lighting
Lighting for good visibility is best achieved with fluorescent fixtures mounted directly above the work area. A gooseneck lamp mounted near or on the bench for small detailed work is an excellent additional source of illumination. The lamp must be out of harm's way and should be positioned adjacent to the immediate work area. Such lamp is useful for working on the interior portion of the pirate play ship.