building a workbench for gun maintenance

model70hunter · Feb 10, 2014

I was sick and recovering from 2 kidney stone procedures when we sold our home, packed up and moved to our retirement spot. I left the bench.

It was 4'x8' with a 3/4" plywood top on a heavy frame of 2"x6" with 4" legs. Shelves on the back and underneath.

I had my big vise on one end and reloading dies on the opposite end. With holes drilled to quickly set up the belt sander, grinder or bench press. It was used to finish gun stocks, build projects and whatever needed done.

In the middle it was a work bench. It had stain, holes, drawn out plans, phone numbers, a couple of favorite loads and was sturdy enough to hammer on.

Like I said, I was recovering when we moved, I'm going to miss it. I moved it twice before. I marked the legs and shelves, unbolt it and carry the work bench top, legs and bottom shelf in easy pieces.

My new one will be built the same way Except I will put kitchen cabinets above rather than wire shelving.

For me I cannot conceive any scenario where I might have a fancy finished top on one.

Morgan88 · Feb 10, 2014

Bill
It's kinda off track but the fridge off to the right. is it a Coldspot fridge with the approx. 12inch square ice box at the top? have one that looks the same. My parents started house keeping with it in 1948. ( I have taken ours to work and it is still working in our break room.

by the way someone mentioned to me about using old refrigerators as make shift safes. Throw some kind of cable and lock around it and a cover over it. If we think about it this could work great in some instances. Maybe just for ammo. Hard to move, very bulky.

Morgan

smokindog · Feb 10, 2014

Not advocating this product as I've never seen nor used it but thought I'd share since it showed up in my mailbox today on sale

I'm of the opinion that at THIS stage, either make the entire bench yourself or buy all pre-fab as I've linked earlier. However, this is what makes our world great, OPTIONS!!!!

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200226224_200226224?cm_mmc=Housefile-_-TOP10_021014-_-consumer_021014-_-P6&[email protected]&STATE=TX&HOT_MEM_CODE=&MARKETCODE=DAL&om_rid=AAafZA&om_mid=_BS$NtmB84Isl-M

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200226224_200226224?cm_mmc=Housefile-_-TOP10_021014-_-consumer_021014-_-P6&[email protected]&STATE=TX&HOT_MEM_CODE=&MARKETCODE=DAL&om_rid=AAafZA&om_mid=_BS$NtmB84Isl-M

gm272gs · Feb 10, 2014

My bench is never as clean as any of the photos posted here.
If there is a 3'-0" x 1'-0" area with nothing on it, I call my bench "clean".

My bench is a solid 1-3/4" x 3'-0" x 7'-0" oak door on a 2x4 wood base, with 4x4 wood legs.

anoblefox · Feb 10, 2014

another vote for rule3 type bench, they go on sale regularly, we paid $119

rfuerst911sc · Feb 10, 2014

Yesterday I went to Lowes and Home Depot to look over what they had for cabinets and countertops. Unfinished kitchen base cabinets are 75.00 for single drawer/door and 125.00 for three drawer so not bad. Preformed laminate countertops they had in 4 ' and 6 ' none in 5 ' plus I really didn't like the quality. So I think I'll just make my own out of two pieces of 3/4 plywood glued together with a top layer of masonite trimmed with a wood border. Thanks for all of the suggestions.

chief38 · Feb 12, 2014

I actually got off my butt today, bought some of the 1/4" thick Sintra Board I was talking about the other day and installed it in place of the Masonite that I had on the work bench. The Home Depot Masonite was pure rubbish, but of you look at the bench in the rear of the Shop photo you will see a good Masonite top (still in excellent shape too) which is twice as thick and tempered on both sides. That was purchased at a Lumber Yard many years ago but unfortunately was buried by Home Depot. Anyway, I figured I'd post a picture of what I was talking about and hopefully this Sintra will hold up well.

Regards,
chief38

Krell1 · Feb 12, 2014

i originally put together a work space in my garage for woodworking. I have both base and wall cabinets across an eight foot wall space. I used a pre-made formica countertop with a short backsplash. Since I got back into shooting and reloading, I found it easy to just add what I needed for reloading and gun cleaning. The press and powder easily mounted on the edge of the counter and I can sit comfortably in front of the bench and reload all day if I want to. I'm adding a homemade attachment to the pegboard to store my dies and misc tools. My only problem is that I have to move the powder, primers, ammo etc into the house during summer months because it gets very hot here during summer months. I also try to reload when the weather is cool so I'll have enough to last during the summer.

Rastoff · Feb 12, 2014

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is functionality. When I made my reloading/gunsmithing bench, I knew one thing; I have to be able to get my knees under the bench. When I'm working on a gun I like to sit down. If I can't get my knees under the bench, I won't be comfortable while working.

p.s.
I don't believe some of you guys actually do any work on you benches.

chief38 · Feb 12, 2014

My reloading bench and workbench are both 37" high and I purposely kept my actual workbench separate from the reloading bench. Not only can I easily get my knees under the 37" high benches, but I even have two of the adjustable height stools with backs in the shop.

That said, I never sit while reloading as I find it much easier to stand. When working on guns or anything else for that matter, I do sit.

LazyKB · Feb 12, 2014

There are some great ideas being shown here. I appreciate seeing your innovation. My reloading, I don't do much smithing, bench was made by my dad when I was about 28. He took rough 2x4s found in my grandpa's barn and bolted them together side by side. he then planed them and gave them at least three coats of poly. Only problem is the termites had gotten to the wood and left tracks which collect everything, especially small lead shot. I use towels when cleaning guns. The carpet idea is great as is the file cabinet. I presently use a discarded chest of drawers. I also like incorporating the kitchen type cabinets. I know where there is a set of those. As for lighting I use two shop fluorescent lights which work pretty well but I also added a smaller fluorescent underneath an overhanging shelve. Thanks for the ideas. Don't forget the fire extinguishers.

bearfoot · Feb 12, 2014

wife was going to sell 2 large end tables and a large coffee table @ garage sale. end tables all storage underneath, same w/ coffee table. stacked coffee table on end tables, bolted together. built workbench same height, bolted them together, 8' lg. total. then wood for top. the HYBRID is solid. setup of vises and shelves being done. still have a single stage reloader, rcbs, maybe 43 yrs. old. thinking about starting to reload again.

rfuerst911sc · Feb 16, 2014

Well I have found my bench top. Yesterday I was looking at the " materials " section of the local Craigslist and came across an ad for solid core doors. Turns out this guy purchased four doors from a local police department that was doing a renovation. Supposedly these doors were for interrogation rooms so I'm sure they could tell some interesting tales ! Anyway I bought one for 65.00 it is 30 " x 80 " and 1 3/4 " thick and VERY heavy it will make a fine bench. I plan to trim the door to about 24.5 " deep and the piece I cut off I will make a back splash with. Have to trim to 5 ' width and will end up adding a wood border to finish the cut edges. Just need to find two base cabinets and I'm good to go. Thanks to those that suggested using a door.

building a workbench for gun maintenance

model70hunter

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Morgan88

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smokindog

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gm272gs

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anoblefox

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rfuerst911sc

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chief38

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Krell1

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Rastoff

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chief38

LazyKB

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bearfoot

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rfuerst911sc

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