Finishing Workbench for Working on Guns

[omgwtfbbq]

GREAT NEWS!

The Chairman (my wife) has given me the green light to turn our spare bedroom into a small workshop for guns/reloading ammo(eventually). I installed a heavy-duty storage rack over the weekend and located a sturdy basic wooden workbench at Home Depot that I'm thinking will be a great starting point for me. (see link below)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Signature-Development-72-in-Fold-Out-Wood-Workbench-WKBNCH72X22/203083493

By all accounts the world bench is very strong and durable but needs sanding. I also imagine it would be best to seal at least the top of the bench with something given the presence of oils and solvents that might damage the wood.

This is my first time doing anything like this so I'm not sure what sealant to use. After doing a little research it looks like people are sealing bench tops with everything from garage floor paint to poly, to spray-on bed liner but nothing I can find talks specifically about what is good for gun work.

I'm hoping to get some advice from the CGN brain trust what you fellow DIYers use on your benches for gun work. Thanks in advance for your info.

[NYT]

i just bought two of these:

http://www.costco.com/NewAge-Workbench.product.100159806.html

a bit sturdier, larger with integrated org trays, tablet holder and power.

oh and i chose stainless steel.

[Perseverance]

I would cover the top with a vinyl or Melamine sheet.
Home Depot will cut it size. You could cut it over size
if you need more space to work than to 20" wide bench.

[Full Clip]

I screwed down a layer of white Melamine on top of my bench, which is durable and makes for easy cleanup of oils/solvents and spotting of parts, stray powder, etc. And if it ever wears out, just remove and replace.

[AUstate]

I have that exact same Home Depot Bench OP!

I love it, I looked at a ton of different benches from various stores and for the money it's very hard to beat that one. And it's USA made. I priced building my own and it wouldn't be any cheaper.

Originally I was planning on using a thick self leveling poly to seal the top bench.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-1-qt-Gloss-Triple-Thick-Polyurethane-2-Pack-281541/205446624

But so far I have just put a very thin sheet of scrap plywood on half of the bench, and use that side for the messy stuff.
Anything will work, whether it's Vinyl/melonite or poly.

Enjoy building up your workshop, nothing beats chilling in your own work area tinkering on some guns!!

[Aldemar]

I built one of these a few years ago and it's holding up very well.

http://www.harborfreight.com/60-in-4-drawer-hardwood-workbench-69054.html

Normally I stay as far away from HF as I can but a buddy bought one and it is quite a few notches above the normal HF quality.

[homelessdude]

One bit of advise. Whatever you decide to seal it with when you are working on a gun putting it together or taking apart lay a large soft towel over the bench and work on top of it. That way when you drop a small part ( and you will ) it won't bounce on the hard surface and hide on the floor. Ask me how I know.

[ar15barrels]

18ga stainless steel sheet will seal it really well.

[omgwtfbbq]

18ga stainless steel sheet will seal it really well.

What would you recommend for attaching the sheet to the bench top? There is a metal fab workshop near my place that I might be able to get a sheet cut it it's a reasonable price.

[NYT]

One bit of advise. Whatever you decide to seal it with when you are working on a gun putting it together or taking apart lay a large soft towel over the bench and work on top of it. That way when you drop a small part ( and you will ) it won't bounce on the hard surface and hide on the floor. Ask me how I know.

yup, i use liner for kitchens. like this:

[bountyhunter]

GREAT NEWS!

The Chairman (my wife) has given me the green light to turn our spare bedroom into a small workshop for guns/reloading ammo(eventually). I installed a heavy-duty storage rack over the weekend and located a sturdy basic wooden workbench at Home Depot that I'm thinking will be a great starting point for me. (see link below)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Signature-Development-72-in-Fold-Out-Wood-Workbench-WKBNCH72X22/203083493

By all accounts the world bench is very strong and durable but needs sanding. I also imagine it would be best to seal at least the top of the bench with something given the presence of oils and solvents that might damage the wood.

On mine, I ordered some red silicone rubber roll to completely cover the top of my bench. maybe 3/16" thick material. Cost maybe $25 but completely protects the desktop. Also makes a nice comfortable top to lay or lean on.

[Tactical Fred]

Been looking for a bench myself, like the look of yours. Would it be possible to mount a vise on yours ?

i just bought two of these:

http://www.costco.com/NewAge-Workbench.product.100159806.html

a bit sturdier, larger with integrated org trays, tablet holder and power.

oh and i chose stainless steel.

[NYT]

Been looking for a bench myself, like the look of yours. Would it be possible to mount a vise on yours ?

thats the plan. i was going to drill the surface to mount my vice on the right edge area. the thing looks pretty sturdy at a 2k pound rating.

[NorCalNative]

I put a remnant light grey commercial linoleum on top of my wood bench. Doesn't mar, chemical resistant, wipes clean, and free. Wrapped it around the top and stapled it from the bottom.


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[sbcfd]

I have a 18x36 piece of leather I got from a saddle shop near me. The oils don't really hurt it its soft on my gun finishes and I only paid like $40 for it so when it's time to replace it, it won't hurt to bad.