Another Work Bench Thread

[wkndwarrior29]

I wanted to share a project that I have been working on for quite some time.

I acquired this Kewaunee Sturdilite work bench last fall on craigslist. The buyer had apparently purchased a number of them from a surplus auction and this was the best looking one he had left with the top shelf. It was made in 1987 and served it's life as a packaging bench.



Once I had it disassembled it was time to restore the butcher block bench and top shelf. I tried using chemical stripper but the cuts from being used for packaging were pretty noticeable - so I used the project to justify buying a belt sander.





It took about 25 passes and a handful of 40 grit belts to clean it up as seen below.



Next step was to prepare it for an old wilton flip grip I wanted to mount.



Next post...

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Due to the way the benchtop mounts, I was unable to use through-bolting. I ordered some T-nuts online. The initial logic was to install them on both ends of the bench and in the center, countersink the holes, and install these brass bolts in the two unused locations. I later decided I would rather drill as few holes as possible in the bench.



This is the underside of the bench with T-nuts installed.



And an example of the benchtop with a brass bolt in place to cover the open hole.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the entire process. Once I got the bench cleaned up it was apparent that the blue needed to be repainted. I reassembled it in my basement and painted. I decided to use BLO on the butcher block with a few coats of wax.

I didn't want to put a toolbox in the basement or rely on always having to go to the garage - so I bought a kobalt mechanics kit and a few other small kits. I made trays out of shelf board (also treated with BLO), cabinet handles from ebay, and kaizen foam. I shadowed in the tools so I could stack the trays 2 high in each drawer.







Here's the final product with the addition of a cutting mat and an new light.





And since I had leftover paint, I had restored the flip grip, a litco anvil for display, and some steel shelves I had (for displaying the growing vise collection).





I'm looking forward to putting it to use next winter when it's too cold to work in the garage.

 

[dhammond]

Looks very nice, good job.

 

[tarbellb]

Damn! That looks great, love the baby blue and oak combo.

 

[cheechi]

your thread pisses me off because your paint looks better than mine, your project is more finished than mine, and your bench has better lighting than mine.

and i'm still too lazy to go work on it more im sitting here typing at you. good job sir that looks awesome.

 

[oldldh]

Bubba ---

Ya Dun Gud!!!!

 

[wkndwarrior29]

Thank you everyone, I put a lot of time into this project and appreciate the feedback. Hopefully it helps someone else with ideas for thier own bench.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

WOW!!! Thats an awesome bench, great job on the restore

 

[Rico.]

As I've just finished resurfacing my Workbench I can appreciate the time and effort it takes
to do a nice job.... and that is a nice job. Well done. [emoji106]


Link to mine..
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328306&showall=1

 

[turbowoodworker]

Show off!

 

[wkndwarrior29]

As I've just finished resurfacing my Workbench I can appreciate the time and effort it takes
to do a nice job.... and that is a nice job. Well done. [emoji106]


Link to mine..
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=328306&showall=1

Thanks again guys.

Rico, that looks great!

 

[Zeeman]

Right On! Great job guys. It does take a lot of work to do something like this, and I appreciate you taking the time to post pictures.

 

[gravys302]

Just got one myself. Does anyone know how to remove the drawers?