Thartung Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 This whole project started because I needed a sturdy workbench for one of my other hobbies and I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for one that was pre-built. Aside from the cost, I needed this bench to be relatively simple to build due to the fact that I don't have my own woodworking shop, or even a garage for that matter. I built this entire bench in a two bedroom apartment. I did all of my cutting in the front yard, using my coffee table as a saw horse and assembled the majority of it in the living room and kitchen. What I really liked about this project is that I was able to use tools and processes that I have never used before. I poses a very basic set of woodworking tools. Miter saw, circular saw, clamps, speed squares, router etc. What really made this project come together was the Kreg family of jigs. I was amazed at how easy it was to build this bench once I had the right set of tools. It started out, as most projects do, as a sketch on a piece of paper outlining the overall design, materials, and dimensions. Once I obtained all of my materials, I started cutting all my pieces to length and assembled the top. For the top, I made a simple 2x4 frame using Kreg's pocket whole jig and added some support in the middle to not only make it stronger, but to also have more area for securing the top. After that I set a sheet of oak plywood on top of the frame and secured it from the bottom with screws. Once the oak was installed, I used a router with a flush trim bit to clean up the edges. With the edges trimmed, I added some round shoe molding along the outside that was miter cut to make the corners. I secured the molding with glue and finishing nail The bottom was pretty simple. I used 4x4 posts for the legs that were tied together with another 2x4 frame. To save money, I used a sheet of pine plywood for the bottom shelf. When installing the pine, I cut 4x4 squares from each corner of the sheet to make it fit around the legs. The pine was also finished with the same round shoe molding as I used for the top. When everything was complete, I assembled the top and bottom using long carriage bolts with carriage bolt washers and nylon locking nuts. From there, I disassembled the entire bench and sanded everything with 60-220 grit sand paper. I finished it off with a coat of "Honey" stain from Minwax, as well as 2 coats of gloss polyurethane for the top and 2 coats of semi gloss for everything else. I'm also working on a top for the bench as well. It should be done in the next coupe of weeks. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 Nice bench, looks like it will serve you well. Welcome to the forums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeautysBeast Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 I would honestly be afraid to use it. It looks so nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxerjoe04 Posted July 10, 2016 Report Share Posted July 10, 2016 Looks nice, one suggestion, put some kind of vise on there or some clamping system, I made one and didn't and always had to deal with clamping stuff awkwardly on there which is annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 What's your "other hobby?" Looks nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midtnwoodworker Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 The bench looks good. Hopefully it serves you well for many years. Is the bench for reloading? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 42 minutes ago, midtnwoodworker said: Is the bench for reloading? If not, it should be! Great looking bench! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thartung Posted July 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 2 hours ago, Gixxerjoe04 said: Looks nice, one suggestion, put some kind of vise on there or some clamping system, I made one and didn't and always had to deal with clamping stuff awkwardly on there which is annoying. Thank you! I do have a small vice that I am planning to mount on the left side of the bench once I finish the top. I'm just going to cry when I have to drill holes through the top in order to mount it 1 hour ago, C Shaffer said: What's your "other hobby?" Looks nice. My "other hobby" is reloading. There's also a little bit of gunsmithing mixed in there too 47 minutes ago, midtnwoodworker said: The bench looks good. Hopefully it serves you well for many years. Is the bench for reloading? Thank you! Yes it is! I'll also be using it for a little bit of gunsmithing here and there. I'll be mounting my press with a strong mount from Inline Fabrication once I get the top done. 6 minutes ago, K Cooper said: If not, it should be! Great looking bench! It is! I'm going to be mounting my press up as soon as I finish the top 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 Nice job on the bench! Should make an awesome reloading/work station! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronn W Posted July 11, 2016 Report Share Posted July 11, 2016 NIce work. I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Grondin Posted August 2, 2016 Report Share Posted August 2, 2016 Very nice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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