John Gates

This is the original table - power strip in back with 20ft extension cord.

I raised the table with 2x4s and flipped the countertop over. I used an ancient Skil jigsaw to cut away the work surface.

A basic 2D file was created in AutoCAD for the Bench Skirt, which is used to collect excess metal cut away by various jewelry tools.

Optitex was used to prepare the file for the Eastman table to cut. Since the design was created in AutoCAD, this part of the process is a small matter of naming the part to be cut, choosing the material, and defining the orientation.

In Optitex Marker Pro, we can place the piece to be cut on the material that best suits us, usually in a way that is efficient regarding the amount of refuse material.

After the Skirt was cut, it was then HF welded.

Components of Bench Skirt frame joint (table saw, miter saw, band saw, drill press, router, utility knife).

Completed joint next to slot

View of slot from lower angle

This is the completed bench in use.

The GRS BenchMate is inset flush with the countertop surface (router - 1/2" plunge). The countertop edge trim follows the curve of the bench (router - 1/16" slot). The uncovered edge of the countertop was sculpted to transition from the hard corner to the BenchMate's mounting plate (utility knife) and sealed with polyurethane.

Another view of the bench.