Gun Builder's Bench

[Chowmif16]

Okay, feel free to chastise me for a potentially off topic question.
I am about to move into a new house and build my long awaited workshop. The question is, do most guys build their own workshop bench, or buy one? If the answer is build, where could I find plans for such an item? Or where and what to buy?

I felt I was justified in asking on this in the "Gun Builders Bench" section......

 

[Zonie]

We've had a lot of topics about guns and a lot of topics about builders so a topic about gun building benches ought to be fair game too.

Actually, there are a number of posts about the benches some of our members have made but they are usually scattered around in topics dealing with things other than benches.

Have at it, folks.

 

[ZUG]

Here is what I use -- home made -- 3/4" X 3-1/2" pine board frame with two 4' X 8' X 3/4"partical boards screwed together for a total thickness of 1-1/2" thick. The work bench to the left along the wall is made out of 4" X 4" and 2" X 6" with 3/4" ply wood on top with 1/4" hard board screwed on for a replaceable work surface top. It is ankered to the wall and will NOT move.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I built mine with a 2X10 pine top supported by 4X4 legs. I bought a couple of prefab cabinets from Lowe's and built my bench so I could slide them in, I am lousy at making drawers.

A carpenter friend needed work so I had him make me a couple of drawers on sides.

I make bows so I made my bench very heavy so it won't walk across the floor when I am drawknifing an osage stave to shape.

I made my bench extra tall so I don't have to bend over to work on anything.



This side view is an old picture. I got rid of the elcheapo drill press and added the side drawers

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
I built my own benches specifically for woodworking, wood finishing, metalworking, and engraving.

dave
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showpost.php?post/1390958/

 

[Vaino]

The bench pictured below is my 2nd and has the features that I've found to be conducive to LR building.

The bench is fastened to the wall and concrete floor...a heavy hand needs stability.

Vise selection and placement is all important. I use 2 vises...my main and a smaller one for doing work when the main is being used. Ensure that the main vise location can accommodate a LR from both directions.

Don't locate the end of the bench up against a wall if it's a short bench.

I don't use drawers....only open shelves w/ the tools being segregated and visible.

The wooden back wall is handy for attaching tool holders.

The ceiling lights are fluorescent and there's a very bright bench light at each vise location. The main disadvantage of fluorescent lighting is when staining....doesn't produce true colors.

A low wooden pallet is on the floor so that dropped items don't hit the concrete. Don't know if the pallet is better on my feet than concrete.

Vise height is very important for proper filing and lessens fatigue

The framework w/ the apron is a support and is wide enough to allow for different clamping angles. A temporary support can be mounted to the right.

I'm sure others will have addt'l good ideas....Fred

 

[Supercracker]

I made mine from 2x6s. used more than I felt like I needed for extra weight and stability and it's attached to the wall. Being able to hang tools on the wall behind the bench is very handy.

I made a shelf for the vise to fit on so I could have it project out from the bench a little and get it exactly the height I want. I've found being able to walk around it a little more has been very handy. I used to have shelves underneath but they've been re purposed into bird dog storage.

 

[Col. Batguano]

Vice height is very important. My bench has 3 vices on it. Two are wood workers' type vices for holding the stock and allow me to sit down on a stool to work. the third vice sits atop the bench on the end, and is a general shop type swiveling vice with an anvil. that one is higher, and allows me to work on my material while standing up. that's good for operations like heavier metal filing or sanding brass. Doing small part engraving, and that sort of thing, where an ability to swivel the material, AND move around it myself is helpful.

Good to great lighting and climate control is very important too.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Nice set up. That is a high grade vise you have there. Personally, I would add a support for the forestock.

 

[Supercracker]

I have a detachable support that plugs into the holes in the front of the bench.

I've been debating building a vise horse/tiny bench that is just a vice and forward support to use so i can take the vise off of the main bench and reclaim that space. Plus I'd be able to walk all the way around the work.

Something like this. (apologies to whoever on the forum I almost certainly stole these from)

 

[Chowmif16]

Thanks to everyone for the replies, that gives me a great starting point.
I really like the idea of setting a vice up in such a way that you can walk around the gun.
The comment on vice height are spot on as well.
Moving in to new house in a week and can't wait to finally have my own workshop space.

 

[Rifleman1776]

The comment on vice height are spot on as well.

Not just the vise but working height for the entire shop. I'm only about 5'7" but my lathe is standing on 4" blocks so I don't have to hunch over to work. I can't imagine a tall person working at a low bench or other tool.

 

[talkingamoeba]

Nothing spectacular, built without plans, straight from my head. Only had 5/4 boards (which were cut from a standing dead oak in 2000 when I bought my mill, and have some worm damage) to work with so planed to 4/4 and glued up and reenforced with a few bolts in case my glue-up is sub-par. The bolts are too long in some cases as I used what I had on hand. The top is solid, 4" X 19" X 48". The legs are glued 4/4 that end up 2" X 2 1/2" X 30" for a height of 34". The stretcher is through tenoned with a shoulder and wedge. About 10 hours of time in it and many little flaws but a solid work spot. Need to shave some from the bottom of one side of the base as it's off a little. There is now a versa-vise on the left front corner. I also have a commercially made bench, I bought it used so I don't know the maker, that has the same pattern maker's vise that Supercracker has. After using the versa-vise for a week, I prefer the pattern maker's vise.