Gun building bench

[WyomingWhitetail]

Ok well i lucked out and got a pretty nice little vice for christmas as well as some files and stuff so its time to build a small bench to work on muzzleloaders as well as self bows, other guns, knives, chisels, etc,etc. I have been contemplating what kind of bench i want to make. My work room is fairly small (10x11) so space is at a premium so im debating whether to build a small walk around bench with just big enough for the vice, or build a larger bench that goes against the wall. Just wondering what your personal preferences for benches are and any design ideas are welcome as well.

 

[sc45-70]

Build your bench against the wall and fasten it to the wall! You will be glad you did!
SC45-70

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

well its a rent house so im going to have to just build a very sturdy bench that is free standing. Most of the work that i will be doing will be pretty light.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

This is what I built, my room is 8' X 16'

 

[sc45-70]

Here is a photo of one of my 2 work benches. They are both the same and both are attached to the wall.

There is nothing worse than tring to work in a vice on a shakey work bench!

SC45-70

 

[hoochiepapa]

If you have tomake holes in the wall to attach the bench, you can always patch them later.

 

[ron ward]

i've worked for years with a free-standing bench i made from a commercial check-out counter base and 3 lamminations of high density particle board for the top. it is heavy and solid...i can barely move it with all my wieght pushing on it. the top looks as good as new yet and it is at least 12-13 yrs old with as many years of wood work and cabinet building on it. i'll never go back to a wall mounted bench. it's nice to be able to work around the bench anywhere. i my case it is also the out-feed table for my table saw,but that doesn't matter as far as a "workbench" is concerned. walls are good attatching shelving to, but good work benches should be accessable from all sides. my next step is to get my vice free standing, on a post.

 

Here a couple pics of my bench. It's smaller and not attached and when pulled away from the wall you can walk around it. I used 2x12's to build it so it is very sturdy and very heavy.

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

hmm i actually really like that setup for the light needs that i have. Someday when i have more room and my own house ill probably build a series of benches similar to what was posted earlier but right now a smaller bench might work better for me. I mean i could always patch holes but i would rather not. Still open for suggestions.

 

[Vaino]

If as you say, your work will be on the lighter side, build a heavier, unattached work table. The bench shown below is attached to the wall and floor...working from mainly blanks requires a fair amount of wood removal and a workbench that moves would drive me crazy. This bench doesn't move at all, irregardless of the force used....Fred

 

[msuspartan]

Fred,
Is that a few rolls of toilet paper under the bench for those 'AW manure'moments?? :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

(sorry, couldn't resist :wink: )

Nice settup tho', I like the file and carving blocks. New project now! :thumbsup:

Cheers, DonK

 

[Vaino]

For my "aw manure" moments, I use paper toweling...toilet paper is too soft and therefore non-punishing. :grin: I use a wood platform to stand on seeing my shop is in the basement and has a concrete floor which can damage dropped parts. Working height of the vise is very important and if a platform is used, it's height should be accounted for. An incorrect vise working height can be tiring and also bad for filing parts square.....Fred

 

[ron ward]

mark painter's bench is a nice set up.... especially for stock and barrel work. i like the idea of it being long and narrow to work around easily without reaching or moving the work as you go from side to side. i could see anchoring to the floor to make it rock solid, though. i could also see having a bench like that, that could be bolted down when needed and moved off to the side when not needed.

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

Thanks Colin its nice to see your workshop and your work is even more impressive given the methods you use. Your benches are very close to what i eventually want (when i have a work shop not a spare bedroom) as are a few others posted but the one made from 2x12 is looking really promising for my current set up. Thanks for the tip about the drawer under the vice that is a really good idea.

 

[StewartLeach]

My work bench was built out of a freight damaged solid core door, supported by a frame of 2x4 and 4x4 lumber. Above all else, a bench needs to be sturdy and heavy. You don't want it to move around. After a while i had to put a new top on the bench, made out of a masonite type material.

I've found it convenient to drill the top such that I can mount the big vise on either end, and in the center front as well.

White Fox

 

[hoochiepapa]

Nice shop, Cowboy!!

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

guess im not the only old truck guy on here. I have a 64 f250 that is my daily driver, and a 59 F100 that is in parts that someday ill get restored. I have a couple of 40s IH trucks that i was told i could have that i haven't went and got yet as well as others. Well now back to the regularly scheduled front stuffer talk.

 

[Randal Zartman]

I am putting together a work bench with 2 x 12s also. What are you using for lighting.

 

[WyomingWhitetail]

Just a two bulb regular house fixture but im going to get some kind of light to put over the bench or a swivel lamp or something.

 

[ridjrunr]

I also built one like M. Painter, although my top is a bit heavier. I love it and am also in a very cramped work area ( 1959 single car garage rental).If you build one of these you wont have to reach over your project to get at other tools on yer bench,plus the walk around aspect is great.