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Posted: 7/4/2016 10:14:49 AM EDT
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Well todays project is going to be building a gun work bench to be able to assemble my AR, and do all things gun related.
And the beauty of it is that its only gonna cost me about $60 in materials! Table top- 2 feet deep x 5 ft wide, made out of 2x12...not sure what wood yet. Height- about 3.5-4 ft Maybe stain and laquer it a Mahogany color..I dunno suggestions? |
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Use 2 layers of 3/4" plywood for the top glued together. Trim the edge with some lumber and have it stick up from the work surface 1/8" so you can drop a piece of hardboard down for a sacrificial work surface. Also I would have the edge of the top overhang the frame by 4 inches or so. It's handy for clamping stuff down and if you decide you want to sit there it's a bit more comfortable. Then lag bolt that sucker to the wall so it doesn't move or rack when you crank on something. For a finish I usually go with nothing but if you do decide to finish it you need to make sure it can stand up to chemicals on the top (that's why I go with a sacrificial work surface. If you're just talking about the legs and frame then use whatever you've got around or is cheap if you really want to. I leave mine naked. |
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Quoted:
Well todays project is going to be building a gun work bench to be able to assemble my AR, and do all things gun related. And the beauty of it is that its only gonna cost me about $60 in materials! Table top- 2 feet deep x 5 ft wide, made out of 2x12...not sure what wood yet. Height- about 3.5-4 ft Maybe stain and laquer it a Mahogany color..I dunno suggestions? For the top, I used ordinary pine 2X8s, 3 deep. Marine varnish, no stain. On top of that I use a section of outdoor carpeting as a worksurface. That way small parts don't roll around and I can shake it out from time to time. I also have a shelf underneath to store bullets and primers. Powder is kept at a distance for safety. An important dimension is the height of the worksurface. I prefer to work standing up, so I designed the top to just high enough for my forearms to rest comfortably on it. All in all, its plenty sturdy enough for my Rockchucker press and a 4" bench vise. good luck - CW |
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Link to workbench thread. It was in the archives, so some of the pics are gone. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/690923_.html |
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Here is the base I just finished. Modified this from a suggestion in another thread(which I can't find). I am not sure if I want to use two 3/4 plywood for the top or the 2x12's. The frame is 24"d x 72"w x 37"h. My issue with this is since the frame supports the legs, a one piece top (24x72), makes the most sense as it equally distributes downward weight. If I go with 2 sections of 2x12 I'm thinking I will first need a 3/4 plywood underneath or at least front to back 2x4's to support the middle section of the 2x12's. Idk maybe you can improve on this but I tell you this sucker is very sturdy and I even braced it.
http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u499/silvers559/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsi9lplffj.jpeg |
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Quoted:
Link to workbench thread. It was in the archives, so some of the pics are gone. http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_4/690923_.html Ah, thanks. Why is this the only forum that gives me difficulty posting photos and finding a search tool? |
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Thought I would update the progress for this workbench thread. Here I have tacked in the lower shelf with cheap plywood. I decided to go with 2, 3/4" solid pieces for top. A waste of money as I thought one would be enough. I am not going to screw the top in until I decide how to mount the vise in the right corner. Not sure how I am going to get around this 4x4. I want through bolts for the vise and if possible would like to have verticle capability on both front and side. But not sure how I can get 4 through bolts with this setup. And ideas? I guess I won't know for sure until I find a vise. I'm going to take the advise from another thread and see what I can find on CL.
http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u499/silvers559/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpseiizbd3v.jpeg |
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