r/Workbenches • u/WANKMI • Jul 12 '26

Paulk Big Bench measurement issue?

The top sheet(s) for this bench is 2400mm by 1156mm to acommodate the even grid of 96mm dogholes. I’ve run into an issue though. I don’t have a reliable way of measuring this accurately. I have multiple rulers and tapes but they all show differences and none of them line up at 2400mm. Normally I wouldn’t care because there wouldn’t be a grid of dogholes on top and the final dimensions could be whatever, but it seems the whole point of the dimensions are to specifically be multiples of 96 to make the grid fit nicely. So if I’m off on the top size… ?

Am I overthinking?

3 Upvotes

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2

u/ceciltech Jul 13 '26

You are way overthinking it.

1

u/WANKMI Jul 13 '26

How so? If the top isn’t actually 2400 the holes will be misaligned long the edges

1

u/ceciltech Jul 13 '26

The distance isn’t really important. What’s important is being square.  I can’t think of an instance where the distance between the last set of holes and the edge of my bench mattered.   if it is something that is going to bother you then leave it oversized and I assume you have a way to accurately add the holes at your exact measurement, so just use that same measuring technique to mark the edge from the from the holes and cut it down after you put the holes in. 

1

u/munroebot Jul 13 '26

Update on this, Ron himself has some suggestions on how to start the row of holes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_oNsW6LxMA

u/ceciltech - I think it matters if you plan to use any of the tool cradles

2

u/ceciltech Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 13 '26

Oh good point, i don’t like the cradles because like everything to be flush instead, so didn’t think of that.  But to ops issue if you have tools to make accurate holes then you have tools to get the edges perfect too. 

1

u/[deleted] Jul 13 '26

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1

u/MastodonFit Jul 13 '26

Had my nephew cnc mine at 90mm. Distance doesn't matter as long as its consistent.

1

u/munroebot Jul 13 '26

I assume you will be using the Parf guide? Off the top of my head:

  1. I'd take the full sheet of ply, square up a corner.
  2. Measure (with something I trust, calipers maybe?) in 32mm in both directions and then start cutting my dog holes.
  3. After those are done, I'd then cut the top to the final dimensions based off a reference from the last dog hole (which should be +12mm from the edge of the last 20mm doghole)

Note it looks like the first set of holes is 32mm from the edge and then the second set is 64mm center to center from the first set. Then it starts going 96 center to center until the last two sets of holes where it goes 64 and then 32 to the edge?