It’s true that I don’t woodwork on a full-size woodworking bench. I am not, however, immune from some of the more mundane workbench maintenance tasks. Specifically, I took some time this weekend to re-flatten and re-seal my Milkman’s Workbench.
I’ve been working with thinner stock lately (some pine siding off-cuts for little dovetailed boxes) and have noticed that the as-planed pieces kept developing a slight twist. Turns out, the bench had a couple small high spots (in the middle of the main bench), as well one large high spot around the last two dog holes. Nothing terrible, but enough to affect stock that isn’t thin enough to self-support while planing.
You can see the slightly lighter areas in the above picture.
The flattening didn’t take long (other than the drying time on the Danish Oil), but I took a pretty sizable tear-out chunk from some swirling grain near the wagon vise. Clearly nothing fatal to the function of the Milkman’s Workbench, but you all know my feeling on aesthetics.
It will eat my brain forever.
On an unrelated note, I’ve been watching a lot of Paul Sellers’ videos and am thinking about making one of his shooting boards. We’ll see.
JPG
The Apartment Woodworker 
I’ve just started to read your blog and I’m loving it. I have a house and you’d think that would allow me to have more space than you for woodworking, but you’d be wrong. We’ve accumulated so much “really import stuff” between me, the wife and the kids, that I really don’t have a 6’x4′ spot to house a bench.
It’s an inspiration to see you doing so in your apartment and really lights a fire under my butt to make me finally get rid of all this stuff that is collecting dust.
I’m not sure how old this post is as there’s no date, but Rob Cosman has a great video on making a shooting board. He deliberately introduces a bow to the board so the plane will have a consistent reference surface. The trouble for folks like you and I is that it would be difficult to find a large enough flat surface against which the board would be clamped while the glue dries.
Keep up the good woodwork.
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