Help with shop layout

[oldfox]

Having made the decision that I will build a longrifle/s, I need to remodel the area I now use for cleaning my rifles and small household projects.  This area is approx 12' x 12'.  There are 2 windows each on the East and West walls.  The area is uninsulated, except for the ceiling...the floor is wooden planks.  I have a 24" wide bench on the East wall and storage on the West wall.  From the photos, you can see where I have hung, stored and piled other stuff.

I have read in some of the posts that when working on these rifles, you need to have the room to move around the project.  Question: would it be better to put a vise and work center in the center of the shop, where I could work all around the project?  Or maybe move my bench vise to the center of the existing bench?

Any suggestions that anyone has on vice placement or anything else, would be greatly appreciated.  I would like to get this all setup before I start.  With all the reading that I have in hand....it will be awhile   Attached photos go left to right, starting on East wall..

[gunmaker]

Looks good to me, I like a bench bolted to the wall studs and sturdy enough to not shake if you jerk on it.  Add an adjustable rest to hold the other end of gun--or move vice to center of bench & support on both sides about 24" from vice.  Works for me, just a thought...Tom

[oldfox]

Thanks Tom...that sure would be the easiest solution 

[gunmaker]

Went and dug up a pic of mine.....Tom

[oldfox]

That's a great idea!  I presume that when you turn the stock around you move the support to the other side of the vise?

[gunmaker]

There's one over there as well.  Got to have a steady rest, when gun starts to take more shape I have a set of soft pine jaw inserts to keep marks off that $$ wood...Go for it, and send pic's we like pic's...Tom

[mattdog]

Well, Oldfox, your bench will do fine.  I would however suggest that you consider insulating the walls and covering them with something that you can paint.......white.  You will gain so much more light that way and I see that you are in Maine so heat and insulation will be mandatory in the winter. 

[oldfox]

Well, Oldfox, your bench will do fine.  I would however suggest that you consider insulating the walls and covering them with something that you can paint.......white.  You will gain so much more light that way and I see that you are in Maine so heat and insulation will be mandatory in the winter. 

I will be doing that in a few weeks, it does get a might chilly out there for these old bones  ...  Thanks matt

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Setting up a new bench before I start my next project and this one pic answered a bunch of questions for me.  Thanks.

Coryjoe

Went and dug up a pic of mine.....Tom

[flehto]

Here's what I 've found to be a handy setup for a right handed builder. The frame on the left extends out from the bench a couple of feet and also extends completely  over the bench top. The extension out from the bench is used w/ the forend clamped in the vice and the extension over the bench is used w/ the lower foend clamped in the vise w/ the butt past the bench.  Another rest is to the right but isn't shown.

This bench is fastened to the wall and concrete floor and a 4' X5' pallet" is used to stand on and to prevent damage to dropped items. I've got a fairly "hard hand" and don't like unstable benches.

There are 2 vises attached to the bench top...the one shown an another to the left which is used to work on items when the main vise has a rifle clamped.  Also there are 2 bench lights...one on either end.....Fred

  

[oldfox]

Thanks guys for the help....all great suggestions!

[dbraw]

I like your choice of coffee.
Dan B.

[oldfox]

I like your choice of coffee.
Dan B.

....and they also make great containers