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Monday, December 10, 2012

Shaker Benchmaker's Package Hardware Kit


We're making a change to our Shaker Benchmaker's Package. We will no longer offer the complete package. This means if you wish to build the Benchcrafted Shaker Bench, you'll need to purchase three items separately: Glide Leg Vise, Tail Vise, and Shaker Plans. It's the hardware kit that we're in fact discontinuing. We have a fair amount of customers who end up using different hardware, or configure their bases differently such that the included hinges and fasteners don't always work. So to send out these kits is rather wasteful, and frankly, silly. You should assemble your hardware kit for the configuration you choose.

Our Shaker Plans are of course still available. We will be updating the construction notes (available for free anytime from our downloads page) with a complete list of the hardware needed to build the bench exactly from the plans, and where to get it. Then anyone making changes can go from there and source their own particular kit from these sellers. In the meantime, here's a list with links of everything in the hardware kit:

Shaker Benchmaker's Hardware Kit:

3" H-hinge (four pair req.)
These are the hinges to hang the four front doors. We use Acorn brand hinges. A good source for these is Historic Housefitters. Item #433-3.


4" H-hinge (one pair req.)
These are the two hinges to hang the leg vise access door. We use Acorn brand hinges. A good source for these is Historic Housefitters. Item #434-3.

Another source for H hinges is Horton Brasses. They have excellent quality brass hinges, as well as hand-forged. More expensive than the machine-made Acorn brand hinges, but exquisite quality.

1/2" X 6" Lag Screw (five req.)
Used to attach the end cap to the benchtop.

We use Spax brand, which are widely available. They are properly heat treated and have deep, crisp threads. You can use hardware or big-box store lags, but they are low quality, soft, with blunt, shallow threads. You can get Spax lags individually at Menards stores (upper midwest) better contractor supply houses, Fastenal, and online at places like McFeely's. 
Square head, black oxide lag bolts would also look nice here. Available from Blacksmith Bolt.

5/16" X 3 1/2" Lag Screw (six req.)
Used to attach the benchtop to the cabinet base (four), and for the roller bracket mounting block (two). The latter two are not required if you're using a Glide Crisscross.
Sources,  see above 

5/16" X 4" flat head cap screws (five req.)
These machine screws are used to attach the deadman rail to the front of the cabinet. Available from industrial supply houses like Grainger and Fastenal (both found in all major cities) and well-stocked hardware stores such as Ace. Also available from Bolt Depot. You can also use different fasteners for this application, like lag bolts. Square head, black oxide lag bolts would look nice here. Available from Blacksmith Bolt.

1 comment:

  1. Nice blog! Thanks for using and mentioning SPAX! We appreciate.
    Best wishes from Germany,
    your SPAX team

    ReplyDelete

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