Redwatch's Watchmakers Bench

[redwatch]

First of all, thanks to you guys and this fantastic community! With all your input and suggestions, I was able to design, and have built, a great table top watchmakers bench. Here's some pics of the completed project:

The wrist rests work perfectly (after I hacked them apart with a saw to mount them!). They are super comfortable and are positioned perfectly! They come off and stow away nicely in the drawer below. I am still waiting for the brass hardware to come and then it will be complete.

You can read about the original design here

[offshore]

Gee thats looking nice red!

Maybe could do with some different lighting ( and I have just the thing in mind for it- will talk to you about that in a week or two!)

I have just built a new desk, and increased the height to 1m. Have found that my preferred magnification, the cantilever arm light, is no use with the new bench height, as you must work from above, and I am now at bench level.

So I am playing with a new LED magnifier, which comes on a super flexible arm, and actually viewing through the mag with the light mounted at 90deg to normal. Its seems to be the answer.

Obviously if you prefer a visor or a loupe, this isn't such a problem.

Will post some photos of my new set up when I come back from the shop later.

O/S

[redwatch]

Thanks O/S! The lighting is actually much brighter than it looks in the pics. I have a Dazor florescent lamp and then the two side fill lamps. It's nice and bright!! I'd love to see your new light though. That might help instead of the side fill lamps. They are bright, but a little obnoxious!

[HauteHippie]

Looks good. Quarter sawn oak? What'd you use for a finish on it? Oh and did you route the front channel by hand with an edge guide?

Well done.

[Guest avitt]

That setup is clean and beautiful. Well planned and executed, redwatch!

[dluddy]

Nicely done Red

[vlydog]

looking good billy ray

[redwatch]

Looks good. Quarter sawn oak? What'd you use for a finish on it? Oh and did you route the front channel by hand with an edge guide?

Well done.

Thanks Cheiftang! Yes, it is Quarter Sawn Red Oak with the natural minwax stain and a few coats of clear coat (sanded between coatings). I didn't build it. I have a good friend with a machine/wood shop and his tools are way better than mine. He did do the front channel with an edge guide.

Thanks all for the comments! I really love it. It has far exceeded my expectations and the height is just perfect. Far more comfortable now!

[Shundi]

Very efficient and well-organized. Nice!!

[cornerstone]

Sweet!! Love it.

[krpster]

Perfect. Looks like it put the work at just the right height. Where did you get the arm rest pads? Looks like a pair of triathalon bars on there mmmm comfy.

[redwatch]

Found the wrist rests here

[Samurai]

Wow......looks really good Red.

[offshore]

@Red,

I said earlier that I was using/testing, a new LED magnifying light.

Here is a shot of how I have initially set it up to cater for the higher desk.

As said the flexi arm just gives so much more versatility...the cantilever styles are an ongoing fight, but this thing is easily and precisely positioned.

For those interested, I have set this up in a new shop I have built at our local markets.

I was getting a bit long in the tooth to be loading/unloading heaps of stuff each week, and have desired a lockup shop for a while, So I leased some dirt, and $4k later and much blood sweat and tears, bingo, I had my shop!

Still in the process of setup, lights, signwriting and some stock still to come, but hopefully this will be my happy watch home 2 days a week.

Now where can I fit a computer so I can log in to RWG in the quiet times?

Offshore

[cornerstone]

The shop looks awesome!!

[redwatch]

Very very nice O/S! You could always sneak a laptop in under the work bench. Looks like you have a little slide out tray there?

[FxrAndy]

Looks good red but will those lamps get a bit hot on your arms

[redwatch]

Actually they are florescent so they are nice and cool. Only draw about 7 watts each

[offshore]

Very very nice O/S! You could always sneak a laptop in under the work bench. Looks like you have a little slide out tray there?

Yes S, Good call. The old keyboard slot.

I use that spot for my battery tester, demag and pulse meter on my "old" desk (Home)

However as you can see from the pics, the shop is a work in progress, so I will throw out all the old evolved stuff, and start thinking again, as I get this desk operational.

I have an Asus netbook, which could go to work.....now how do I find an internet connection? (Preferably someone elses )

O/S

[redwatch]

I'm sure there will be an open wireless network somewhere you can sneak onto! It's amazing to me how many people don't take the time to password protect their wireless.

[redwatch]

So after a week of use, I can safely say this project is a huge success! The bench is the perfect height and it is so comfortable to work on! Thanks again guys for the input on this one!!!

[offshore]

Red,

What height overall are you working at?

I set my new one at 1m to start, and I'm finding it a bit high (or my chair is too low!)

Seems I'm putting some upward strain on my arms (or maybe I just need a pair of those rests.)

O/S

[FxrAndy]

the basic height of all the desks i have worked on is 95cm, that also seems to be the default height of all the ones you can buy

[redwatch]

With it on top of my desk, it sits at 36.75" or 93.345 cm. It's only 7cm shy of a meter, but I'd say it would make a difference. With the arm rests, it is super comfortable and I don't feel any strain on my back. And I can keep my chair at a good working height as well. It definitely helps to have a good chair and I am fortunate enough to have a nice Herman Miller Aeron Chair. Nice mesh seat so my butt doesn't get too sweaty

[vlydog]

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Schweddy Balls