Built myself a new bench today!

[Ats5331]

I decided to build a new bench today! Tired of stopping down over benches and was inspired by the class benches at NMLRA.

Made this pretty dang tall and plan to put cross beams between the legs to increase the sturdiness and stability.

My finishing touch will be some aged maple on top of the plywood!

[Frozen Run]

Made this pretty dang tall

To achieve the optimum height of your bench, stand up straight and place your forearms parallel to the ground, your forearms should be at the same height as the jaws of your vise. Having a bench that is too tall or too short makes it incredibly difficult and uncomfortable to work with. Looking good so far!

[Ats5331]

That's exactly how I determined the height. Now debating whether to use my old bench's vise or go with another one. I like the idea of having a vise and then a prop to rest a muzzle on while I work!

[Mike Brooks]

don't forget to screw it to the wall.

[Ats5331]

don't forget to screw it to the wall.

Mike, I was thinking about keeping it free standing, as I would like to be able to walk around it as I work on a rifle..

You think it’s possible to do this?

[Mike Brooks]

You'll chase it all over the room.

[PAFlinter]

needs to be screwed to the wall........

[smylee grouch]

You can screw it to the   floor with anchors. One or two for each leg.

[P.W.Berkuta]

I'd be bracing the legs with diagonal bracing - adding a bottom shelf or two and screwing it to a wall if you want to do any heavy work on it otherwise use it as an assembly bench with wheels to move it around.

[PAFlinter]

You can screw it to the   floor with anchors. One or two for each leg.

I didn't think of that!!!!

[mikeyfirelock]

I will second the diagonal bracing, especially on the ends. And on the back side if you do not attach to a wall.  A plywood backing on the back side could be useful also if mounting to the wall is not feasible.

[WadePatton]

Yes yes, that critter as is won't take much punishment without bracing or bolting to something substantial. I'd brace and shelf it. But I like a bench I can dance on, with a partner.

[Ats5331]

Final product. Moving my shop into my barn which was a Blacksmith shop in the 19th century. My neighbor, who is an engineer, came up with the idea to brace the bench on either side with columns. This puppy ain’t movin’!

Bench is very long, so plenty of room to accommodate a rifle with a healthy amount of space on muzzle and butt sides.

I want to build a brace for muzzle end though, one more mini project to go!

[WadePatton]

Stiffened things right up there.  Good job.

[mikeyfirelock]

Hmmmm………my bench butts up against a side wall on one end……hmm..( now why didn’t I think of that ? )

[t.caster]

Allen, you might consider a Pana-Vise for the muzzle end, that will keep it from bouncing around on you. Of course I use them on both ends as you can see in this pic of your rifle in it's early stages.

[smylee grouch]

Looking better. Even has a spectator area! 

[Ats5331]

Allen, you might consider a Pana-Vise for the muzzle end, that will keep it from bouncing around on you. Of course I use them on both ends as you can see in this pic of your rifle in it's early stages.

Your bench was also a source of inspiration, Tom! I have a vise that similar to that on my one end, but am still deciding what to do on the other...

[Ats5331]

Looking better. Even has a spectator area! 

For my neighbor, dog, father, or future children to watch me work on rifles