I need a basic work table to mount a vice so I can work on my AR.  I'm gonna hit Northern Tool tomorrow.  Suggestions?

I am still trying to re-arrange my place to set up my Kobalt table from Lowe's.  It's a nice 4 drawer system that is rated for something like 1200 lbs.  I also picked up a Wilton dual swing vise that rotates 360 degrees horizontally and 360 degrees vertically.  Here's a link to our bench thread that may have some ideas for you.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=272918

I built mine out of 3/4" plywood and 2X4, cost less than $30.00. I used no more than a drill and a jigsaw to build it. Everything is held together with screws, all simple construction.

Quoted: I am still trying to re-arrange my place to set up my Kobalt table from Lowe's.  It's a nice 4 drawer system that is rated for something like 1200 lbs.  I also picked up a Wilton dual swing vise that rotates 360 degrees horizontally and 360 degrees vertically.  Here's a link to our bench thread that may have some ideas for you. www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=272918

i'm no carpenter, but i worked in a lumber yard for 3 (long) years and i remember my manager talking to me about building a workbench.  i remember him saying "build it heavy".  line the table top with 2X4s all the way across, then put your 1/2" or 3/4" plywood on top of it.  use 2" screws or longer when you can.  build that sonovabitch so you can get underneath it in a tornado.  the less things there are to shake and wear-the more stabil your table will be.  i'm lucky-there was a good solid table in my basement when i bought the house.  my garage bench leaves much to be desired.  but they did use an old counter top when they built it, and that part i am pretty happy with.  i may end up building a new table around that counter top.  you can get rejected ones at lumber yards that people decided they didn't want after it was cut, or it was cut wrong for cheap.  give that a thought.  just my .02.


jake

Gonna look around today to decide if I'm gonna buy or build.  Hell, I'm in an apartment so I don't have the room to build.

Quoted: Gonna look around today to decide if I'm gonna buy or build.  Hell, I'm in an apartment so I don't have the room to build.

Me too, that is why I got the Kobalt.

You dont need much room to build the table. I used to build aquarium stands out of my apartment, it just takes a little imagination and some cleanup. I would use 3/4 inch plywood and line it with 2X4's like deerkillindad21 said, thats how mine is and I have my vise mounted to it. I also trimmed the edges with doorstop to make it look a bit nicer, only $0.50 a foot for that.

4X4's and an uncut solid core door makes for a pretty stout work bench... can't wait till I get to build another, at the moment I am stuck in rental purgatory. One day....

Quoted: i'm no carpenter, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn last night jake

fixed it for ya

tag

I built my "basic" table back in 1969 out of an old 3'x6'8" solid core door that was on sale due to cosmetic damage.  Bought some 2x4 build the 6 legs.  I  also built a frame work using the legs and used some 3/8" plywood to make the area under it a storage cabinet.  I made it easy to take apart and assemble (using carriage bolts and wood screws) since I worked for an agency where I was moved frequently.  Still have and use it.

One end is set up for my reloading presses, the other end is for general work, including a bench vise.  The cabinet section underneath has about 20 cubic feet of storage.  I have an old book case on top that provides addiitonal, easily accessible storage for my reloading dies and other frequent use items.

tag