[Jewelry making - Article 00353] - Re: [Orchid] DIY drawbench - which winch to buy?

[TomString]

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    If you can find a winch with a flat strap rather than cable, or
    rope, it makes it nicer. Rope, under a load, tends to get caught in
    the turns already on the winch spool. I did not like the steel cable
    that came on my cheap Harbor Freight winch because of the chance of
    getting stuck or struck by a frayed steel end so I used some soft
    nylon rope already at hand. 

    I used a 2x8 for the bed of my drawbench. More than adequate. Found
    a collapsible folding metal sawhorse at Lowe's that let's me store the
    tool easier. Bolted the 2x8 to it. I glued a stick of wood across the
    mount for the drawplate to hold the drawplate at the right height and
    a simple pinch clamp to hold the drawplate on. The critical parts of
    the bench that need strength were made of 2" red oak. 

    Total cost, all new parts, was $150 (less drawplates). Inexpensive
    drawplates can be found on E-Bay under jewelry tools for $8.00 or
    so. 

    The biggest deal was getting the right draw tongs. I used the type
    with both handles bent over and a ring in the bends, to tie the rope
    or strap to. If the tongs slip, look at the teeth on them to be sure
    they are not fouled with metal. (Mine cost about $20.00.) 

    Thanks to John Cogswell (SUNY) for the ideas I gleaned from his
    drawbench. Sure beats me pulling wire of HEAVY guage thru a
    drawplate mounted in a vise, with both feet against the workbench !!!

 
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