Bowling Alley Workbench

[IPACA9]

I picked up this mobile base six months ago for a 100 bucks off FB Market. It used to hold six 12 head embroidery machines. I used to run one of those machines back in the day and recognized it as soon as I seen it. The guy was amazed when I asked him if that's what it was for. The base is very heavy but rolls nice and has locking casters that all pivot. Damn near smashed my leg when I was trying to get it off the trailer. It was laying down and I wasn't thinking when I went to lift it up. It started rolling once I got it at an angle and almost pinned my foot against the trailer's railing. I wound up strapping it so I could lift it and not have it roll out. Learned a lesson there.

I had been keeping an eye out for large solid conference room doors but none have come up for sale lately. A guy had a couple a week or two right before but naturally they were gone once I came across this base. Last week a guy posted he was selling 8 foot sections of bowling alley lanes for $200. I figured that would make a good workbench top. Man was that heavy! I got it up on the mobile base all by myself with some ninganuity. Although the base supports 3/4 of it I mounted a few pieces of heavy right angle under to it to hold it all together. Think I'm going to put a metal edge on. When I mount a vice on it I'm going to sandwich it with some metal as well. I want mount some drawers that slide out under it to. I've seen on Amazon some metal drawers you can buy to add under a counter that might work good.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

NICE score, $300 invested and a VERY well built bench.

 

[Squashfest81]

That’s a nice looking top. I’d be tempted to center the base support up if it can be moved.
What’s your plan for clear? You must clear it.

 

[va72mlibu]

The Dude says:

 

[jimreed2160]

Cool bench

 

[rlitman]

Wow is that nice. Nicer still that you got the maple end of the lanes.

 

[IPACA9]

I'm thinking about buying another section that I can make the bar top out of for the mezzanine above. But I'm still on the fence with building a bar vs just buying a nice one. Theres several nice ones ive seen for sale cheap around here

 

[A**holes Garage]

Built a custom shuffleboard table for my nephew. He purchased some old bowling alley wood, cut it down, sanded, sealed etc.

 

[IPACA9]

Built a custom shuffleboard table for my nephew. He purchased some old bowling alley wood, cut it down, sanded, sealed etc.

That was my initial plan for mine but the family surprised me with a shuffleboard for my birthday. Smaller than what I had planned but does give us more room up there. If I choose to do the bar from the alley wood it would match my pool table better.

 

[b-boy]

That's very cool. I'd love to get my hands on some of that wood. I looked, and the closest thing I can find is in PA (I'm in Western NY). The guy wants $280 per section. I might have to take a road trip.

 

[IPACA9]

That's very cool. I'd love to get my hands on some of that wood. I looked, and the closest thing I can find is in PA (I'm in Western NY). The guy wants $280 per section. I might have to take a road trip.

At 2-1/2 thick and 42" wide it gets heavy quick. I'm surprised I don't have a muscle poking out after trying to lift it...lol. The guy is gutting a huge bowling alley. He's selling all the 2x8 and 2x10 lumber that was under all the lanes as well. Most sections have been 8ft but he said he's sold a couple 16 footers and one 24 foot that was going to be a long bar top. Cant imagine moving those.

 

[pioneer1]

IPACA9, I see your in Independence MO. I'm in KCMO, Northland. Where is the bowling alley? how can I get in touch with this guy?

 

[Dumber than lumber]

To OP
I congratulate you, and would like to add a
"You ****".

 

[PugetDude]

Nice bench, love the rolling base.

 

[IPACA9]

IPACA9, I see your in Independence MO. I'm in KCMO, Northland. Where is the bowling alley? how can I get in touch with this guy?

Hey Neighbor. Here's the FB add. Guy is pretty cool. He had a special rack that the slab was sitting on and they rolled it right out to my truck and helped load it. It's the old Strike and Spare off 40hwy in Indpendence.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2142990122682181/

 

[Lucky13driver]

Nice! That sound last a long time.

 

[ScottsGT]

I looked all around my area for these. Wound up with a butcher block workbench top from Global Supply. Of course after I bought it, co-worker tells me he has two perfect countertops he tore out during a remodel he would have given me.
At least I did get a 16 gallon metal drum out of him for my garage trash can before I bought one. He’s even got the lid cutter that trims and folds the cut edge down.

 

[IPACA9]

He's selling a piece for a shuffleboard now

https://m.facebook.com/groups/668360466579773?view=permalink&id=2074668949282244