AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Eric Smith on September 11, 2020, 06:50:29 PM
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New Bench for an unused corner of the shop.
(https://i.ibb.co/R6y0PLj/0911201146a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hdfWHpY)
free picture upload (https://imgbb.com/)
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Nice start -- I would add another pair of 4"X 4" in the center and "X" frame them into the others to support your top - half lap joints would work nicely to give the bench top strength & rigidity. Then add some drawers. Your top could be made up of a layer of 2" X 6" or 2" X 8" boards with a layer of 3/4" plywood with a top layer of 1/4" tempered hard board that can be replaced when it got dinged up. Let your top overhang the frame some. Just my 2 cents worth ;D.
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Looks inverted to me.
What are you putting on top? I've been SPOILED to laminated 2x4's on edge for a top. But then spoiled ain't the right word when you build it yerself. Dues paid. ;)
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It was upside down when that photo was taken. I put in the braces for the bottom shelf and cut a piece of 1/2 inch plywood for the shelf material. It is now right side up and the bottom shelf awaits to be glued and screwed. It's 92.5 inches wide, 48 inches deep, and 36.5 inches tall.
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It was upside down when that photo was taken. I put in the braces for the bottom shelf and cut a piece of 1/2 inch plywood for the shelf material. It is now right side up and the bottom shelf awaits to be glued and screwed. It's 92.5 inches wide, 48 inches deep, and 36.5 inches tall.
I feel so much better about it now that I know it was upside down!
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(https://i.ibb.co/yXxJgmM/0912200833.jpg)[/urle
The bottom shelf is in place.
(https://ibb.co/W6R1BNd)
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Nice looking bench. I am still trying to get past your statement "unused corner of the shop". The last time I saw an unused corner in my shop was when I built it.
David
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Nice looking bench. I am still trying to get past your statement "unused corner of the shop". The last time I saw an unused corner in my shop was when I built it.
David
Dave , this is a brand new shop. I built this house 7 years ago, with this space adjacent to the garage with the explicit intent of using it to build muzzle loaders, powder horns, and such. I built one bench, the one in the background, the first year. Until now, it has seen zero activity. It became a junk room. I spent all my time working at a newsprint mill, 12 hours a day.
I retired early this past January. I sat around until July trying to comprehend my new found freedom. I finally realized that it was time to clear out that room and start using it for it's intended purpose. There's plenty of unused room, for now. Lot's of work to be done.
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Nice looking bench. I am still trying to get past your statement "unused corner of the shop". The last time I saw an unused corner in my shop was when I built it.
David
I have always liked the statement "nature abhors a vacuum" , there is no empty vacuum in my shop.
Kevin
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Just moved in to a new-to-me home - 1,800 sf for me, my dog, and a trio of cats. Place was built in '58, but recently remodeled, with a new metal roof.
Nice family room, 20' x 24', so I've turned it into a shop. So far, two 8'l x 2.5' w x 30" tall. Of necessity, most of my work is done sitting down.
This past week, I've also installed a small bandsaw (14"), a 1 HP dust collector, and a nice combo belt and disc sander. Also need to build a drawer unit and a rifle rack.
All three doors (2 exterior, 1 interior) doors are at least 36", so no big problem moving things in or out.
I've converted one of the spare bedrooms into a kind of safe room, solid core door, double locks, etc.
Love seeing that new workbench - gives me ideas for my two future workbenches. All, BTW, use 4 x 4's for legs, six per bench. Very partial to half-lap joints, and double 3/4" ply tops.
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(https://i.ibb.co/F38md6y/0912201437.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1QR74ZP)
A 3/4 " sheet of plywood has been added as a working surface, 2"overhang on each side and 3" on the front, flush on the back. I added a substantial amount of bracing to the table support. I think I'm halfway there, almost.
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Nice bench! I’d put another sheet of3/4 ply on top. Benches are like ‘C’ clamps can’t get enough of them nor can benches be too heavy.
Cheers Richard
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(https://i.ibb.co/0GjPX38/0913200526.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rwGntJT)
Plywood needed a little persuasion.
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After a few side trips including bad weather, livestock obligations, and general thinking it through to make sure I had an idea where I wanted to go with this bench, I began again today. Here are some pics of what I did to further this bench. I am adding a bench long shelf to the back of the bench. Here I willkeep my collection of books for handy reference in the shop, rather than having to climb 17 steps up a staircase to review.
(https://i.ibb.co/FbzJGF0/0919201202a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TBtRzsb)
(https://i.ibb.co/SNVfybM/0919201202b.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kKqmBjw)
(https://i.ibb.co/6HrLb2p/0919201214.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x1XdGyc)
(https://i.ibb.co/kD62FCN/0919201214a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fNGd7wj)
(https://i.ibb.co/PGFP7nZ/0919201214b.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m5b2LwC)
(https://i.ibb.co/Lh8dTxQ/0919201303.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k6x2L43)
(https://i.ibb.co/rshLHsF/IMG-20200919-130340-787.jpg) (https://ibb.co/m8KY48b)
(https://i.ibb.co/my4CBmJ/IMG-20200919-130401-439.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rpHGtgk)
(https://i.ibb.co/M11Nb6p/IMG-20200919-130424-933.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JppkNQ2)
(https://i.ibb.co/72z1VLJ/IMG-20200919-130450-124.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bz3KLDg)
(https://i.ibb.co/vsD9LQt/IMG-20200919-130507-799.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Q8X0YC5)
(https://i.ibb.co/2qqrhCM/0919201458-HDR.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LSSyRcg)
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If I stored books in my shop they would be buried in so much dust you wouldn't be able to find them, let alone read one.
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If I stored books in my shop they would be buried in so much dust you wouldn't be able to find them, let alone read one.
I can easily see how that could happen. I like to keep a fairly tidy workspace, and always police after myself before I lock up with the shop vac. I don't get 100% but I give it a lick and a promise.
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If I ever build a new shop it will have a big door (perhaps garage) at each end. So then, I'll just take a leaf blower and blow all the dust right on out.
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Yet another style. All 2x4's, and made to break down for transport. Note it hasn't been this clean since day two.
I've got a WW vise on the left end and a PM vise on the right end now. When I build another bench, will likely be this design again. It's simple and stout. Does require a good bit of planing, but pine planes so easily. The thru-mortises are no trouble at all. No power tools were used besides turning screws.
The middle (not installed yet here) comes out (screwed into place) and the two sides can be separated, thus "portability" but I've yet to try it. Oh yeah, the tops come off the leg-frames, then you have 5 bits. Frames, two tops, and a middle section. It's super stout by design. Paul Sellers builds this same bench "in the garden(yard)" with hand tools, there's a series of videos. I made mine longer.
(https://i.ibb.co/QXqBZ4h/cleanworkbench1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qx4Gzvh)
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Love bench threads!
Here's a few pics of mine I made last winter. It weighs over 1000 lbs without the vises... yet can be pushed around the shop with two fingers when the casters are down. Solid as a boulder in use though. The top is bowling alley with a 1/2" synthetic top added during an upgrade at the bowling alley. 42 x 96". Very strong, easy to clean, and impervious to abuse.
(https://i.ibb.co/TtxbCyH/2020-09-21-12-18-55.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3c9MJK0)
(https://i.ibb.co/nfyD2TL/2020-09-21-12-19-54.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xGbMvy7)
(https://i.ibb.co/RH15Xy9/2020-09-21-12-23-41.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j4dpCRT)
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(https://i.ibb.co/SPw04G6/IMG-20200921-135225-682.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bP5LMD6)
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Any peg board going in the center?
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Peg board, heck just start drilling some holes!
Just kidding.
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I hate peg board. For hanging tools I simply have several of the magnetic bars from Lee Valley. I have quite a few of those bars hanging on the walls. Certainly helps me keep thing organized.
Fleener
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I love peg board. It makes up the upper 4 feet of my shop on 3 of the walls. It enables hooks, hangers, shelving, etc. Endless possibilities and you are not locked into permanent fixtures you later wished you had put elsewhere.
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(https://i.ibb.co/SPw04G6/IMG-20200921-135225-682.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bP5LMD6)
Yesterday, I was contemplating inserting a 32" TV into the center cavity of the shelf, and using the remaining space by adding tiny shelves arount the TV.
However, today I an more inclined to mount a TV on top of the shelf and continue partition the center with more useful spaces.
TV you say? I like my YouTube, along with some classic westerns, like Daniel Boone, Paladin, Rawhide, anything John Wayne. A small Boze speaker will broadcast my personalized IHeart radio station. What can I say. I'm retired now. I want comfort.
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I have never added a TV or fridge to my shop. Just seems odd to me to watch TV when I am in the shop, and I dont need a beer when running power tools as I have enough problem with keeping my fingers out of the way.
I did peg board when we got married and I had space in the garage. I was constantly knocking those hangers off the peg board. Perhaps it just reminded that I am not that organized.
Fleener
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(https://i.ibb.co/2WXx2Ry/IMG-20200922-144717-319.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4KBzyC7)
Getting there. Cut two acres of grass today. That are up a bit of time.
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Eric, I really like your shelf unit - inspiring! Most of us always need a place to put things, sticking them in a box makes them hard to see/find.
With locks, it is kind of easy - I get plastic food storage boxes slightly bigger than a standard lock. Then when I am disassembling them for polishing, etc., I can keep all the little parts together easily.
Ah, but other things - and we all have them. Ramrod pipes, other odds and ends - that shelf unit, where an item can be seen, greatly simplifies the process.
Think I'll head down to the lumber yard and get me some 1 x 10's!
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Hi,
Here is mine. When I die, my family is supposed to drag the bench outside, put me on top, and burn it like a pyre with bag pipes playing.
(https://i.ibb.co/D8gTYk4/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/txPFzcB)
(https://i.ibb.co/vLcDytR/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NWF7D4b)
(https://i.ibb.co/x7mXwyN/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/z48QC1z)
(https://i.ibb.co/m0gDp2p/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/DYTVdvd)
(https://i.ibb.co/rFs1y3h/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sbHM3C4)
(https://i.ibb.co/3sxzghq/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sPTH83G)
(https://i.ibb.co/NLz2Nh3/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K9HxsZG)
(https://i.ibb.co/hLvpkQh/Roubo-Bench1-zps27672f26.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/4SmmZzY/Roubo-Bench2-zps352106e6.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/5hgQg3X/Roubo-Bench3-zps51c6f3c4.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/LpRkRfC/Roubo-Bench4-zpsa59c458b.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/JdFgSZp/Roubo-Bench5-zpsa6d2809e.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/TkKXpVQ/Roubo-Bench6-zps1fd5c2d0.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/jT3dfTz/Roubo-Bench7-zps1837d2e1.jpg) (https://imgbb.com/)
dave
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Smart Dog, that a fantastic bench. I have seen photos of your shop before, but never really detailed pics of your bench. My hat is off to you for the excellence of your shop as well as the quality of work you do in that shop.
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Dave, never having seen one - what does the bicycle-type chain do, and how does it work?
Note to your wife - remove all the steel from the wood before igniting.
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That is way to nice to burn.
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Dave, never having seen one - what does the bicycle-type chain do, and how does it work?
Note to your wife - remove all the steel from the wood before igniting.
Hi Craig,
The chain is a drive designed and made by my friend Jim Ritter, a master boat builder. It acts on the parallel guide moving it in and out automatically as I tighten or loosen the jaws of the leg vice. That keeps the jaws parallel with the leg of the bench preventing racking. The old way was to insert metal pins into the holes of guides to keep the jaws from racking. The leg vises are incredible with respect to holding power yet never damaging the wooden object being clamped. Along the the sliding "deadman" with all the holes in it, the vices give my bench tremendous flexibility for holding work.
The holes on the top of my bench fit stops and braces but also my moveable rest, which can be angled and and moved to where I need it.
dave
(https://i.ibb.co/BnW7vwv/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qJq4hxh)
I also mounted my task lamp on a block of wood with a pin for the holes so I can move it around the bench. I have outlets in the ceiling above the bench so I can keep plug cords off the surface.
(https://i.ibb.co/3YBW4Zy/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dJG6jY0)
dave
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Out of my league. Way out of my league! Great design and workmanship.
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My first bench had a top laminated out of pine much like Dave's. Over time, the edges of the boards wore down and opened up. Sawdust and shavings would accumulate in the cracks. Oddly, other people who visited my shop would pick up a scratch awl or a nail (whatever) and scape the dust away, leading to bigger cracks and more stuff getting into them.
At some point, I decided to rehab my bench and used that lamination as a core for the new bench top. It was quite a project. After the new top was done, I couldn't use the shabby old base that the old one sat on and that was another involved project, too.
It's a very personal thing.
I found that any horizontal surface, especially against a wall, becomes a catch-all. I like to be able to completely walk around my benches and try to limit the size and depth of anything against a wall.
My bench has 3 drawers under it. They are not deep, but tools get piled on top of each other and stuff ends up in the back of the drawers or buried.
I got an old Gerstner machinist chest some years back and that helped a lot with organizing the small stuff. These drawers are very small and shallow. But really it's the same problem on a much smaller scale. The little drawers are full of little teeny tools and parts. Things still get lost, buried, forgotten.
Enjoy the journey.
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Built this a couple years ago and it has served well, would change a few things but it's fine for the time being. Like to work all around the
(https://i.ibb.co/zNJRyyb/DSCN2158.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3kzNDDW)
(https://i.ibb.co/jM6QFfh/DSCN2157.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PhmP8jx)
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Thanks for the response, Dave. I had been racking my brain, to use a pun. That was one of the ideas that were flitting like moths through my brain.
I did notice the drilled sliding board, especially when you had the butt of the gun there while you were working on part of the foreend. Great idea! Does the bottom have a stop pin to keep it in place? Or does just the weight of the item being worked on to hold it down?
I have the first two workbenches done and filled with gun-type thingies. The 3rd one is in progress in the garage. It will be shorter, at 6' long. The dust collector machine will occupy the space where the bench is 2' shorter. There is also a belt and disc (6" x 48" for the belt, 10" dia. for the disc) which will also take up some floor room. The place still sounds like an echo chamber!
Neighbor's Dad quit his carpentry business, so I have a bunch of stuff - some in un-opened boxes, or unused. Nice morticing machine with the tools for making mortises, 1/4" up to 1/2or 5/8". About 10lb or Forstner bits, twist bits for a hand auger, brad point bits, squares, calipers, brad point bits, by 64th from 3/32 up to 1" - all in great shape. Tomorrow he will bring a 10" table saw - brought me the blades yesterday. Lots of sorting!
But I drift - today is my 75th birthday - a whole 3/4 of a century! At any rate, really enjoy seeing your bench, and seeing you using some of the same construction techniques that I use.
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Starting to shape up. Just a few more details.
(https://i.ibb.co/cXLGGfr/1001201355.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JFQff6s)
(https://i.ibb.co/5FVt6FM/1001201357.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dgy1rgW)
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Starting to shape up. Just a few more details.
(https://i.ibb.co/cXLGGfr/1001201355.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JFQff6s)
(https://i.ibb.co/5FVt6FM/1001201357.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dgy1rgW)
VERY NICE! Just too tidy.
(https://i.ibb.co/H24d0j7/A08-A6-D76-4124-4-AFE-A2-C0-103-F7-B8-EDFC8.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KGhwYJ6)
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Stoner, your bench looks only half as bad as my other bench. This one is new. Give it time. My shop vac is parked right where your's is. ;D
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Adding an old wood vise and a new parrot vise. Can't quite decide on lighting yet.
(https://i.ibb.co/k5n0zyX/1011201319.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wBHC8L4)
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(https://i.ibb.co/VV2ZB1h/1011201320a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/y0W1s9M)