Another Bench thread

[stonewellmark]

Hi all, finally got some time to build a bench. Take a look tell me what you all think. The legs are 6x6's and everything else is 3/4" plywood glued and screwed together. I think I'm gonna paint it with an oil based paint.

 

[IP2GSR]

That should stand up to some abuse, Nice!

 

[Zeke]

I don't think I've ever seen one as beefy. Should be around for your grandkids. Good job!

 

[dmeadow]

I really like what you did with the drawers. Good use of space. Any tips on how you put them together?

 

[stonewellmark]

The drawers are recycled out of an old clothes dresser. Afriend of mine was getting rid of it, the main body of the dresser was trashed but the drawers are Ok, so I just modified the bench a little to get them to fit. They are pretty nice, all dovetail jointed plywood. Now I just need to figure out what type of handles to put on them. Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[R6 Racer]

That's 1 beefy bench for sure. Well put together & looks great. Smart use of the drawers too, that's probably the most difficult part to build & you saved a pile of time doing it that way.
Great Job!

Steve

 

[Nostraquedeo]

The drawers are recycled out of an old clothes dresser. Afriend of mine was getting rid of it, the main body of the dresser was trashed but the drawers are Ok, so I just modified the bench a little to get them to fit. They are pretty nice, all dovetail jointed plywood. Now I just need to figure out what type of handles to put on them. Thanks for the feedback!!

My grandfather left my aunt some old wrenches and she gave them to me a fews years back. I drilled some holes in them, then used a small piece of metal tubing for a stand-off. Installed some properly sized bolts and nuts. Looks really cool for pulls! I have done something similar on the end of the workbench with hooks to hold my motorcycle keys. Anytime I can use some of my grandpas stuff in a permanent install I do.

 

[Richard D]

I don't think I'd leave the keys handy for burglars... Nice bench.

 

[KEH]

Really nice job. What is the top size, 2' x 6'?

KEH

 

[Oldbear]

50 years from now someone will be posting how they found this great "beefy" bench at a garage sale...

 

[stonewellmark]

KEH, yes the top is 2'x6'. Oldbear, that's sort of what I was going for, a heavy duty, long lasting bench.

 

[stonewellmark]

Got a chance after all the snow to get the first coat of primer on the bench!! Oh, mounted the Reed vise too.

 

[jamesemery728]

That is a thing of beauty. You Sir, have some mad skills.

 

[nmanitou]

I approve!

 

[jvitez]

So that's 2 pieces of 3/4 ply laminated together for the top? How are you planning on finishing the top?

 

[Jomo]

I'd be proud to own that bench. Nice work.

Why oil instead of latex paint?

 

[machine_punk]

Very nicely done! Great looking joints.

Reminds me of the way I like to build things (large lumber and plywood). I built this one to hold a large 3-in-one sheetmetal machine...
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+1 on using a wrench handle for the drawers...
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Or, you could go get some black pipe pieces, connectors, and flanges and make them out of those, for an industrial look.

Great job, good design, and excellent craftsmanship on the that bench...

Kev

 

[stonewellmark]

I'm gonna wrap the plywood with 3/4x1-1/2 Oak or Maple, haven't decided. Then top it with masonite for now. Maybe Stainless in the future. I think oil based paint will stand up a little better in the shop, it ***** to use but hopefully it works out.

 

[rburke65]

Machine-punk.....what kind of 3 in 1 bench top is that. You like it? Been considering one for a while. Thanks.

 

[machine_punk]

Don't want to hijack this thread...but it is a Baileigh 5216. Capacity 16g cold rolled to 52". I got a spectacular deal on it--new, but 'scratch and dent.' Yes, I do like it...it makes everything I do with sheet metal a lot easier. You can read a LOT about it in my main thread, follow the link in my sig.

Kev

 

[stonewellmark]

Finally got the bench painted. Installed a 1/4" steel plate for the top and wrapped it with 3/4" Maple, as to match the drawer faces.

 

[tylernt]

Finally got the bench painted. Installed a 1/4" steel plate for the top and wrapped it with 3/4" Maple, as to match the drawer faces.

Wow. I'm curious, how much did that steel set you back?

 

[stonewellmark]

$85....it 72"x28.5" What does everyone think??....paint the drawer faces or leave them the natural wood??

 

[colt zantop]

leave natural wood.....looks killer!

 

[GRX]

Natural wood with clear sealant.

 

[bczygan]

That bench has serious written all over it. Nice choices all the way down the line.

 

[stonewellmark]

Thanks everyone. Now I just got to decide on handles for the drawers. Was thinking of 12 gauge flat steel, 1 1/4 wide, and just bend it to shape, like this photo. Then paint black to match vise. GRX, the drawers have Poly on them, they were dresser drawers in their first life...

 

[rumpity_z28]

wow thats a bench holy smokes

 

[GRX]

Re-purposed dovetail jointed dresser drawers. Got ya. Missed that before in post #5. Flat 12-ga handles would be good. You could even bust out the die grinder & give the edges some nice curves.

 

[RaysnCayne]

Beast of a bench!

Definitely leave the drawers natural. But you need to paint the top trim gray to match the body. Looks unfinished with the trim like that. Black handles would work but natural finish could be nice to match the top.

How does one get a clean, single, square cut on a 6x6? Bandsaw?

 

[GRX]

How does one get a clean, single, square cut on a 6x6? Bandsaw?

If I may ... I used a heavy duty miter saw to build my bench. Great on 6x6.

 

[stonewellmark]

I set a circular saw to depth (1.5") and made repeated cuts, then pried/broke off the slivers. To clean it up real nice just use a carbide paint scraper,pull it across the area until the saw marks disappear. I cant cut a straight line with a band saw to save my ***, EVEN with a ripping fence.

 

[tylernt]

That steel is almost $300 on onlinemetals... before shipping. You got a deal!

 

[gapfast]

Awesome bench!!