Hang Up on the Wall-Hung Workbench - Notched Cuts Template


Back at the end of July, I posted a photo of the wall-hung workbench that I had selected to build first in the garage (garden bench) and then down in my shop (once I got the hang of it!).  I pulled down some plans from WoodSmith Plans and got started ripping down the lumber to make all the pieces.  But there was a part that I got hung up on - these angled brackets with notched cuts at the bottom that I've circled above. 

The plan calls for these supports to be notched and attached to a ledger board (that gets attached to the wall).  But, my little, amateur woodworking brain couldn't quite figure out how to make those cuts.  I took a sacrificial board and drew all over it to get the angles right.  I even took it over to Nat's Dad's house and had him mark it up so I could figure out the best way to make the cuts.  He showed me how to use my table saw to get most of the wood out, then a saber saw to make the final cuts. 

But then I got home and had to actually do it.  And my brain failed me again. 

So, I ended up making a jig of sorts.  More like a template.  But, in woodworking, they seem to call things that help with shortcuts jigs.  So, just play along with me here.  My jig was a piece of paper that I measured and cut to be the right width.  Then, pulled out the ruler and followed along with the dimensions in the plan and drew the cuts out.  Finally, I put a pair of scissors to the paper and got this:


Now I had something that I could lay on top of the boards, trace the outline with a pencil and then take to the saw.  I thought it was a good approach, but in talking with Nat's Dad, he recommended that if I did it again next time, I should use cardboard.  Easier to trace/follow and the thickness helps in ensuring it stays true. 

So, off I go to lay this thing on the lumber and make these cuts.  Once the four required brackets are notched like this, I have all the materials cut that make up the super-structure.  I can get started on hanging it on the wall. 



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