Working on a new form to replace one I've been using. Older one was ok, but due to some changes in my riser the top didnt fit fit quite right, as well as  a couple minor flaws. Prob could have reworked the top, but decided to just start fresh.  Glued it up, cut it out this morning and then routered the face of it. My pattern bit leaves a small lip along top edge just below the template so after doing the First pass, unclamped it, flipped it over and ran router across it to take the lip off. all in all the face of the form looked pretty good, just some minor sanding and fill a couple low spots.

Moved form off my workbench, and there staring back at me was a groove about 3/32" or so deep cut into the top of my bench. I forgot to put the wood blocks under itbefore I clamped it down and did last pass. Now had this been on my other bench, I reallyt wouldnt mind, but this bench was my Dads, and I just love it. Theres a lot of sentimental value to it, and I just defaced it. Yep, I cussed. A few times.  I could hear my Dad chewin me out and laughing at me.

After that I closed up the shop and went ice fishin with the wife. Caught a couple fish.   Form is coming along well and should finish it up shortly. Then I get to build a new maple top for my workbench. 
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Fill it with some smooth-on and call it a reminder or  character

Quote from: Mad Max on December 27, 2020, 07:38:27 PM
Fill it with some smooth-on and call it a reminder or  character

Actually not a bad idea, either that or some clear epoxy resin. 

looks like a nice bench

Quote from: Mad Max on December 27, 2020, 07:38:27 PM
Fill it with some smooth-on and call it a reminder or  character

+1, an epoxy fill will fix it right up and make it custom!


Mark

Or bondo??

I vote for epoxy too. Can work wonders. When I was 20 something I built myself a workbench with materials I had on hand. Laminated 2x4's for a top, nothin fancy, but really solid and steady. Used it lots for decades - I'm 72 now. Point of this is, it was time to do something with the work surface. So a couple of yrs. ago whenever there was epoxy left over from a layup I'd use it to fill and level the bench top. Even built up the edges where they were broken down and now it is flat and true - a great pleasure to use again! Yep my vote is for EPOXY.

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Looks like an opportunity to get artistic maybe?  You could embed some mementos from your Dad, or an old flint head, or who knows what might come to mind

I did have a friend also suggest making it a river workbench. I told him I could call it the R/D River of No Return.
SO either way I think epoxy is the way to fix it. I do not have any experience working with it, but the one product I looked at requires 75 degrees min temp for 3 days to allow it to cure. That will have to wait till warmer season. My shop gets chilly at night and running heat out there at that temp would suck down a lot of propane. Too bad I couldnt fit the benchtop into my bow oven.

Creamsicle shine and routers don't mix. LOL

Maybe Roy have a point.

Fill it with an inlay and call it an I beam.

Can you turn it upside down?

I think Skeater is right. Cut some thin pieces of contrasting wood and do some fancy splicing of the pieces. Glue them in the channel. Sand it down and call it art. If your new design works well you will look at your bench and smile. If it don't, it will remind you make sure you are ready before you start the power equipment.
A good craftsman is one who can make his boo boo's look like they are supposed to be there.

I'd use EA40 and black walnut sawdust mixed together, pour it in there and use a rubber squeegee to smooth it up.

Quote from: Roy from Pa on December 28, 2020, 01:49:20 PM
Can you turn it upside down?

I'm with roy if possible
http://www.tradgang.com/tgsmf/index.php?topic=156366.msg2699675#msg2699675

Be a good chance to try dyeing some epoxy, make it blue and ya got a river bench!!

LOL

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Thats some pretty serious lube

Kenny me thinks it would be more like a shallow ditch bench