Boxford Resources System

This project is intended to serve a number of possible functions. The first being a cheap solution to school workshop furniture. Why buy when you can build. The cost per unit is about £70. Having now used/abused this bench for a 2 years, I can verify it will take a ridiculous amount of hammer in all senses of the word.

The design can have up to eight work positions with a combination of engineering vices or woodworking vices. The mix is entirely up to the builder. Each station is designed to be able to house either type of vice with a simple change of the front panel.

Vice Vice

The secondary function of this project is to show the use of compound or engineered structures. Most school workshop desks are made from solid timber which these days is becoming harder and more expensive to source. Many new so called solid timber benches are made from feather jointed blocks where the knots have been removed and the remaining pieces re jointed together.

As you are probably aware Boxford manufacture everything we sell. To retain our competitive edge we are introducing super smart computer manufacturing machines not previously seen outside Japan.(So much so we have become a publicity and press site for the manufacturer). This state of the art manufacturing starts with a block of metal which goes in on one side and a finished component comes out of the other. The resulting accuracy of manufacture and he flexibility it gives due to the machine requiring no reconfiguration between components is the way that all components well be manufactured for the current generation of engineers. This is what I am trying to emulate with these large projects pupils need to think in terms of manufacture then assemble not manufacture then fit as was the tradition. The traditional fitting shop with its skills pack will become a thing of the past. Super accurate manufacture will mean machines are assembled far more as adjustments for errors in manufacture disappear.

WorkTable

Table Top segment with wood or metal vice front.

Braces

Cross Braces

Legs

Normal Length Legs

The basic structure of each segment is a cross braced box and with the use of a good all weather PVA glue the bench will withstand enormous stress. The only weakness that can be perceived would be point impact loads which could damage the actual plywood sheet, but then hammering a solid wood bench would not do it long term good.

Finally the same bench using the longer conference table length legs, could easily be used in a student common room as a low cost standing group table.

Table Top Segment 2D Design (8 required) - Download

Table Leg Short 2D Design (4 Required) - Download

Table Cross Brace 2D Design (1 Required) - Download

Table Centre Piece 2D Design (1 Required) - Download

Table Long Leg 2D Design (Alternative to 4 short legs) - Download

Table Top Segment MillDesign (8 required) - Download

Table Leg Short MillDesign (4 Required) - Download

Table Cross Brace MillDesign (1 Required) - Download

Table Centre Piece MillDesign (1 Required) - Download

Table Long Leg MillDesign (Alternative to 4 short legs) - Download

A model sized version is also available to cut using a laser cutter or router with a small bit.