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Thread: busy day today but got a big job done

  1. #1
    Boolit Grand Master

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    busy day today but got a big job done

    IMG_1008.jpg

    For those who commented on my benches clutter, Today was spent with me and a friend getting it cleaned off. Next is plane the top flat and true. Looks like were going to have to take about 1/8"-3/16"off to clean it up smooth. The top is 2x4s on edge with 2x8s meshed in to form the leg sockets. 2x4s are a mix of Oak and Douglas fir, 2x8s are Douglas fir. It is a very solid sturdy top. glued doweled every 10" with 3/4" dowels and 5/16" locking dowels on ends. Legs are 2x8s 3laminated with a joint left for the cross brace/shelf mount. Vises are a 5" wilton with aluminum jaws and pipe jaws the other is a Parrot vise that swivels in several directions. I also have the additions tube mount adapter to allow more adjustment

  2. #2
    Boolit Bub
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    That is a serious work bench, NICE !!

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master

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    A solid work bench makes filing sawing and handwork much easier. This one when empty weighs a little over 500 lbs. Almost a gallon of glue in the joints and top. Its built to last me my son and grandsons maybe even farther down the line.
    The cross braces arecutat10* angle on ends and a 10* wedge is fitted when legs were square and right the wedges were driven in locking the braces then dowels drilled and set and glued.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master Hannibal's Avatar
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    I built a serious work bench in my old gun tinkering room. I solved the ridgity issue by anchoring it directly to the exterior walls on 3 sides. It wasn't heavy, but it didn't move.

    Nice work! I like it.

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

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    The bench is built old style all mortise and tenon joints doweled and lock pins or tensioning wedges No nails screws or bolts to loosen up. Ive worked on a lot of the shop benches bought and bolted together that just werent solid or stabile. rocked and shook when trying to file or saw slid on floor. This one stays put and dosnt move at all. At THe tool room in the ford plant I worked we had cast iron benches, this one is almost as good.

    No tool box rack on back so if needed it can be slid out from wall and used from all sides. But it takes my die cart to pick it up and move it

  6. #6
    Boolit Master


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    I would put a sheet of 3/8 or 1/2 plywood on the top and save a lot of time and if it gets worn it could be replaced easily if screws are used to hold it down.
    I put Masonite on my reloading bench about 5 years ago and it is still in good condition!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master


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    .. 👍 ..

  8. #8
    Boolit Master gc45's Avatar
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    My bench is also mortise and tenon, circles around the gun shop on three sides bolted solid to the studs then covered with glue-lam beams on top that I picked up off a job pile, very solid! Has continuous shelve underneath for all my lead, dies and anything else..Over 45 yrs old now and still like new, less the stains of course..

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master
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    As an amateur woodworker, I appreciate what you built. Nice job.
    Don Verna


  10. #10
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    Winger Ed.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by country gent View Post
    [For those who commented on my benches clutter,
    Great project.

    I've found that any clean/clear horizontal surface is an offense to nature----

    It's some sort of Science type law that nature hates a vacuum, and always seeks to fill it.
    Gone are the days of wooden ships and Iron men.
    I doubt we shall see their likes again.

    Spoken by a US Coast Guard station commander.
    Upper East Coast. Circa 1920.

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master

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    I agree horizontal surfaces get filled up fast.

    The weekend before Dad retired I went over and cleaned his bench off and sanded the top down lightly to clean it up. His response was Now have no reason to go to the shop when your Mom Or sister get on my nerves

  12. #12
    Boolit Master Hannibal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by country gent View Post
    I agree horizontal surfaces get filled up fast.

    The weekend before Dad retired I went over and cleaned his bench off and sanded the top down lightly to clean it up. His response was Now have no reason to go to the shop when your Mom Or sister get on my nerves
    Sounds like your Dad and I think a lot alike!

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

    rancher1913's Avatar
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    i wasnt complaining about your messy bench as much as i was greatful that i had a kindred spirt, messy benches meen you actually work
    if you are ever being chased by a taxidermist, don't play dead

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Well done. Properly made tools (as your work bench actually is) are a joy to use. enjoy your bench!

  15. #15
    Boolit Master Half Dog's Avatar
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    All I can say is: WOW
    The sooner I fall behind...the more time I have to catch up with

  16. #16
    Boolit Master


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    Quote Originally Posted by Winger Ed. View Post
    Great project.

    I've found that any clean/clear horizontal surface is an offense to nature----

    It's some sort of Science type law that nature hates a vacuum, and always seeks to fill it.
    My shops all have cluttered benches!

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    Thats a very nice workbench. I saw it when it was cluttered and wondered how you kept it so nice as compared to mine. My problem is that any horizontal surface in my shop not only has something on it, but is stacked up with multiple items.
    NRA Life 1992
    My avatar is almost a dead ringer for my little buddy Chico. Six pounds of mean that thought he was a Pit Bull. Miss that little guy.

  18. #18
    Boolit Grand Master

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    We moved tis bench into the shop before the walls were put up when we brought the machines in. ( It a lot easier to move heavy things when no walls are in the way ) During that project it got piled with odds and ends from the move. Im just now getting around to finishing cleaning it off

  19. #19
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    That bench would hold a vehicle.
    “A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition”

    – Rudyard Kipling

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master

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    IMG_1009.jpg

    Didnt do any planeing or sanding but set the 6' level on the bench top today to see how much it had "moved" in the4-5 years its been sitting aging. Its still very good as far as level. No big gaps under the level may not have to remove as much as I thought.90* to this looks as good also.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check