SPENT AN HOUR LAST NIGHT MAKING A HARD RUBBER BENCH BLOCK - PHOTO INC.

[chief38]

So I read somewhere on this Forum about a month or so ago about making a Bench Block out of a hard rubber Hockey puck. After talking one of my friends out of a few (his hockey days are over anyway) I spent about an hour last night copying the design of my Starrett Steel version that was made in the 1920's I believe. Not quite a replacement, but the rubber one might come in handy when gun-smithing.

The hardest part of the entire job was cleaning up the black rubber mess that got all over my shop - man they are messy when cut and drilled!!!

PS: whoever posted the idea in the first place - Thank you!

Regards
Chief38

 

[OLDSTER]

Great idea and nice job I did the same thing a few years back with a chunk of ash; but the hockey puck idea ? Who'd a thought

 

[chief38]

Great idea and nice job I did the same thing a few years back with a chunk of ash; but the hockey puck idea ? Who'd a thought

Well I made it but it was another Forum member who posted the idea.

 

[Jaymo]

I read an article in Home Shop Machinist or Machinist's Workshop, about 10 years ago, about doing this.
Still trying to find a cheap, used hockey puck.
Not many hockey pucks in the SE USA.

Good job, BTW.

 

[k20350]

I read an article in Home Shop Machinist or Machinist's Workshop, about 10 years ago, about doing this.
Still trying to find a cheap, used hockey puck.
Not many hockey pucks in the SE USA.

Good job, BTW.

In the SE u can't find a hockey puck? They are everywhere. Just got to get them out from under one of the rednecks lifted trucks.........

 

[smokindog]

Even though I detest their store based on their actions a couple years ago, this could possibly hurt $1.99 hockey pucks and free shipping!

A&R Practice Hockey Puck | DICK'S Sporting Goods

Got a link to the specs/drawings/idea/description? NICE job

 

[Jaymo]

In the SE u can't find a hockey puck? They are everywhere. Just got to get them out from under one of the rednecks lifted trucks.........

None of the rednecks I know have lifted trucks.
Besides, I'd rather not get shot trying to steal their suspension spacers.

I'll probably just order some online. I want to make a copy of my steel bench block.

I've thought about making one from a piece of trailer floor. It's big, thick, oak. However, I have other uses for that.

None of my Delrin, Micarta, or Nylon are thick enough.
I'm tempted to get some casting urethane and cast my own.

 

[chief38]

None of the rednecks I know have lifted trucks.
Besides, I'd rather not get shot trying to steal their suspension spacers.

I'll probably just order some online. I want to make a copy of my steel bench block.

I've thought about making one from a piece of trailer floor. It's big, thick, oak. However, I have other uses for that.

None of my Delrin, Micarta, or Nylon are thick enough.
I'm tempted to get some casting urethane and cast my own.

I suppose you could do that, but this Hockey Puck Block took longer to clean up after than the actual machining did. Piece of cake and can't wait to see how it works. By the way, the Puck is the identical diameter to my steel Starrett - by sheer luck - but I'll take it!

By the way, I made the holes slightly smaller in diameter and the V Groove slightly wider than the Starrett, which is much more applicable to Gun-smithing.

If the rubber block works well, I have a few others that I might play with and use for specific GS-ing tasks.

 

[Jaymo]

Usually, set-up takes longer than machining.
You got the bonus plan. you got to spend a bunch of time setting up and cleaning up.
Clean up is my least favorite part of any job.

I'd also like to make bench blocks for specific purposes.
One, for 1911s.
One for CZ75/TZ75s.
One for Makarov/CZ82/Walther PP/Bersa/Etc
One for S&W 3rd gens.
And so on.

 

[chief38]

YUP - think I will make one to stake front sights on a 1911 slide. I just don't know if the hockey puck will be too springy - will try though.

 

[mic214]

Wow, great idea and nice job on that!

 

[Drm50]

Hey, ease up on that Red Neck stuff, some of us could be offended! Really, I think I may have been OP. I attached my
puck to a 2x4 block about 12" long. Then attached some 3/4"
to side of 2x4 block so they were flush with thickness of puck.
This allowed me to cut V-groove on table saw, the 3/4" rides
the guide. Use carbide tip ripping blade, makes less dust than
fine tooth. You never made a mess until you do a recoil pad.
Forgot, fastened puck to block with 2 screws, just torque them
so heads are below flush of puck, and not in path of your groove.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I like it! Wanna make me one?

 

[Drm50]

I will look into buying some pucks. The ones I have were in box of junk from a sale. I still have the Jig block I made to cut Vgroove. After holidays I'll cut a few and put them on forum
for cost. My grand daughters boy friend is hi school couch, he
probably knows where to get them cheap.

 

[usnrigger]

I keep no less than 4 on my working bench, milled and drilled in differant ways. Derlin is another great thing to play with

 

[smokindog]

I've got some time off the next couple weeks and ordered 1/2 dozen of the pucks I linked below. Did you find low speed or high speed for the drill to produce the cleanest cuts/holes? I've already made a jig for the drill press into which I can drop the puck to keep it properly oriented

Also, I'm thinking brad point bits will work best. What did you use?

I suppose you could do that, but this Hockey Puck Block took longer to clean up after than the actual machining did. Piece of cake and can't wait to see how it works. By the way, the Puck is the identical diameter to my steel Starrett - by sheer luck - but I'll take it!

By the way, I made the holes slightly smaller in diameter and the V Groove slightly wider than the Starrett, which is much more applicable to Gun-smithing.

If the rubber block works well, I have a few others that I might play with and use for specific GS-ing tasks.

 

[jculloden]

Horse stall rubber mats work great too

 

[KEN L]

None of the rednecks I know have lifted trucks.
Besides, I'd rather not get shot trying to steal their suspension spacers.

I'll probably just order some online. I want to make a copy of my steel bench block.

I've thought about making one from a piece of trailer floor. It's big, thick, oak. However, I have other uses for that.

None of my Delrin, Micarta, or Nylon are thick enough.
I'm tempted to get some casting urethane and cast my own.

Call the Thrashers, I'll bet they've plenty of used ones!

 

[chief38]

UPDATE:

Well I have been using it and I am very happy to report my Hockey Puck Bench Block works as well as my Starrett Steel version at least for guns.

As far as the hardness and concern of being springy is concerned - it is a non issue. Now that one of my Hockey playing friends donated a few of his pucks to the cause, I think I will go ahead and make a few for more specific guns and specific tasks - what the heck

 

[markeb]

I'll take one when you start selling. It would be helpful when I rebuild that hammer you gave me advice on.