I Need a Work Bench

[joel1316]

Well, I finally cleaned up and reorganized my garage. I'm finally going to be able to have a work bench! I need one that is relatively small as I didn't find that much space, probably in the realm of about 48" long and 20" wide.
It doesn't need to be super heavy duty as it will pretty much be used for cleaning my rifles and pistols after a day at the range. But I would like it to be strong and still be within my budget of about $100.
Anyone have any ideas, suggestions? I tried building one before and that was a disaster, so this time I think I'm just going to buy one.....
I'm looking for something like this at Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=6843

Harbor Freight may not have the best quality, but its around my budget.

[joel1316]

Check Orchard Supply or Lowe's for one of these:

http://www.gorillarack.com/products/workbench/workbench.htm

IIRC they're under $100.

IMHO the Harbor Freight product isn't really built for Heavy Duty work...and trust me, one day you'll want something more sturdy than a Harbor Freight work bench. A couple of months ago I built a vise stand from a HF tool stand, recently I found out about it's limitations.

Another option is a Black & Decker work mate. They're sturdy and fold out of the way.

Thanks for the Gorrila Rack link and the Lowes idea. I found a bench for $88.00 and it has a 1,200 weight capacity.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=46902-56096-WB4810&lpage=none

The bench is supposedly in stock at my local Lowes also!

[capitol]

I just built this one last weekend.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20.html

It was pretty easy and its built like a tank.I used these items purchased from Home Depot.

eight 2x4's
1" thick piece of nice pine wood
150 deck screws
Minwax wood seal

Took me about 4 hours to build and cost $75

[COLT_45]

title says 20 bucks

title says 20 bucks

[bwiese]

Hey Ted...

How good are these GorillaRack benches?

I have some nice GorillaRacks in my garage - the good ones. Lately the Gorilla Racks sold at Home Depot (and they are true Gorilla Racks, not off-brand) seem far far lighter - the steel is thinner and folded and the pegs latch onto holes on inside of rails and don't go all the way thru; the outside fold of metal covers that. Decorative, perhaps, but lightweight.

Are these benches sturdy? Can they be adapted to support a Dillon XL650 reloader once benchtop is affixed and/or thickened?


Bill Wiese
San Jose

[Matt-man]

I have a Hornady LnL AP progressive press mounted to one of the Gorillas. Mine is the 1580T that you can see in Technical Ted's link. If you are going to mount a press, I'd maybe think about something a little more solid. Mine works ok for the most part, but stuff moves around quite a bit when I'm doing full-length sizing on rifle cases. Overall I'm pretty happy with it - it holds a lot of stuff which is great - but for heavy duty use with a big press I think the DIY one in capitol's link might work better.

Actually, beefing up the benchtop is a good idea. I ought to see what I can do to stiffen it up. Mine came with a 3/4" MDF benchtop that definitely can be improved upon.

[sned45]

The workbench Ted pointed out is a good bench, I have one and came in very handy when I was working on my 4-speed.

[socalguns]

i'd think it depends on what you pay for the wood

[joel1316]

I just built this one last weekend.

http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/workshop/bench/below20.html

It was pretty easy and its built like a tank.I used these items purchased from Home Depot.

eight 2x4's
1" thick piece of nice pine wood
150 deck screws
Minwax wood seal

Took me about 4 hours to build and cost $75

Seems simple enough....
I just might give it try, but first I want to make sure that I can't buy one cheaper that will handle a Dillon XL650 one day....

[capitol]

Joel,
I did change the specs to meet my needs though. I made mine 6'x 24"x34" and you only need seven 2x4's eight feet long.
The pine wood top I used cost $35 and is probably to nice for a work bench. If I did it again I would purchase a cheap 3/4" piece of plywood and cover it with flooring tile. The DIY link has you screwing through the top of the bench to secure it. I went with L brackets, 1/2" screws and attached it from underneath. It's a much cleaner look.
Most of my time was spent sanding too. If your just going to throw it together make sure you get the legs all the same length or you will have table woble.
Hate the table woble

[joel1316]

I like the idea of putting some type of cover of the table. If I do build myself, I'll try a lower quality wood and cover it with some left over linoleum to protect the top from fluids and to cover the screw heads if secured from the top. Equal length legs is a problem for me as the floor in my garage is graded. I have to make the front or rear legs longer/shorter (depending) or just shim it? I like some store bought benchs as they have adjustable legs.

[Sagebrush]

For sale in San Francisco - $15

I thought I'd post this here in addition to the classifieds since there has been a discussion by folks looking for a reloading bench. I hope those in charge don't mind.

I'm moving and would like to sell a workbench that would make a good reloading bench. It's about 40" wide by 20" deep, with sturdy metal legs from somewhere like Sears (I built it years ago and don't recall where the components came from) and a top and lower shelf made out of 2x8. It's rock solid and would make a good simple reloading bench.

I also have a metal shelf, roughly 5' high by 3' wide for $10 in good shape.

Everything is in the Sunset District of San Francisco.

[joel1316]

Any chance you have a picture?

[Sagebrush]

I'll try to take one later today once I can figure out how to use my new digital camera.

[ivanimal]

I used angle iron from shelving units with office furniture tops. All found free. I have pounded, beaten and overloaded these weight wise. So has ted,rika,prof evil,(remember him?), rokit88 and dully and.................

Oh and it also holds my 550 B.