DIY...Walnut motorcycle service bench

trek97

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This past winter working on Rachels 400 and Piglet taught me, MY KNEES AND BACK AREN'T GETTING ANY YOUNGER.
The wife said, "I needed a motorcycle bench."
Yada Yada, She's right, I know. But, I haven't got room for a BULKY and HEAVY motorcycle bench.

A couple weekends ago RicerwannaB and I spent an afternoon visiting the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley NC.

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Trying to soak it all in, walking past all the displays.
I wouldn't even have noticed...
Thankfully RicerwannaB pointed out the neatest little antique service bench. It looks to be Maple. A very strong and light, stable hardwood.
I said, "I can re-create that! I got a buddy with Black Walnut. Also a very light, stable and strong hardwood."

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So once home I contacted my buddy Tim.
Told him I was looking at a Walnut bench project. I dont care about knots and stuff.
As its gonna be a work bench, Im not wanting the most desirable lumber.
Dude, totally hooked me up. He seemed excited about my project and happy to help. 8)

Tims got 2000 feet of Rough cut Walnut and Oak "seasoning" in his shed.
Since he's gotten into metal work these past couple years. He's doing less wood projects.
Although he is currently prepping the "Good stuff" to sell at a local consignment shop.

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We fired up his old planer and knocked the 1-1/8" boards down to 15/16". Looking at a finished sanded thickness of 7/8"

https://youtu.be/nALtVXnwyUQ

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Re: Walnut service bench

I got everything home now.

And its all just roughed dimensions. I will have to cut it all down to working sizes.

Im planing to Dado all joints and Tongue and groove the bench/ramp top.

It will be in 2 parts. The base will separate from the bench/ramp top.
That way I can just stand the two parts up in the corner of garage when Im not using it.

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Re: Walnut service bench

that looks pretty neat!
Probably going to be real sweet looking with that walnut
 
Re: Walnut service bench

Thanks guys.

It will take some time to get finished as I am planning to do some hand carving on it.

Good practice piece.
 
Re: Walnut service bench

RicerwannaB said:
Awesome man, i cant wait to see it. This is going to be awesome

Thank you bud for pointing out the original bench to me.
Its funny cause I dont think we even discussed benches at all that weekend.
You just randomly pointed it out as we walked past.
I was too busy looking at the bikes. ;)
 
Re: Walnut service bench

Very cool man! Exited to see how this turns out.

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Re: Walnut service bench



irk miller said:
Me too. Excited to steal your stolen idea.

Fixed it ;)

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Re: Walnut service bench

Hurco550 said:
Very cool man! Exited to see how this turns out.
irk miller said:
Me too. Excited to steal your idea.
Hurco550 said:
irk miller said:

Haha Thanks guys. ::) There may be a bit of trial going on here. As Im trying to keep it as short as possible.
The fulcrum is in the center. The ramp end will be lighter than the worktop end. So will have to add something ? to keep the ramp down for loading.
Also if the front tire of the bike breaks over the fulcrum, before the rear tire hits the ramp it will want to "teeter" up under the bike.
I engineered it to account for Cherry Bombs stretch. And even the BMW will fit well. The 7/8 walnut construction would handle the BMWs weight w out issue.
But no intentions of putting the BMW on it. Unless I had a couple more hands and backs to roll the beast up there.
 
Re: Walnut service bench

One thing I intend to learn on this build is "Checkering"

The Walnut ramp surface will be slick. I dont want to do something tacky like non-skid adhesive sheets or paint.

And I always wanted to learn to "check" a rifle stock. But never worked up the guts to put a file to a fine piece of wood.

So I intend to check a strip the full length of the ramp to add the non skid surface.

By the time Im done hand filing the 3500 lines, I should be pretty skilled w the checkering files. :eek:

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Re: Walnut service bench

This is what I use for that type of work. But, I'm also a printmaker... http://www.imcclains.com/catalog/woodblocktools/namiseisetof6.html

That pin is what holds it up in the up and down position. You'd be running a half moon with holes drilled to hold in various positions and a shaft for pivot. I've actually built drawing tables that are designed exactly the same way. The drawing table just had a lot more holes because you want them to be used at different angles for different tasks. I also have a couple of vintage drafting tables that are built like this...

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Re: Walnut service bench

Winner! haha, Thats why I love DTT and you IRK !!! You got my wheels turning...

I should be able to tighten them up just enough to hold the ramp in position.
Then once the weight of the bike breaks over pivot it will slide through the hinge and come down to rest on its own.

Not only, Keeping with, but actually adding too the "hipster" vintage look I'm planning for this thing. ;D

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Re: Walnut service bench

irk miller said:
Ha! Nice!

Thank you so much. I been racking my brain over this for a bit.

Cause I didn't want to simply scab extra weight on to make it work.
 
Re: Walnut service bench

Well, it may not seem like a big deal on your end. But, I managed to hog this s.o.b. out of the basement and out onto the patio. :p

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Got my first "test" cut tongue and groove. I should be able to really dig in tomorrow after work. 8)

15/16" material w 1/4" groove.

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