Bowling Lane Bench Build

[Barnuba]

Here are some specs/pics from my work bench build.

4 X 6 Legs
2 X 6 skirts/supports
1 X 8 X 1/2 bolts to hold it all together

The base of the bench is 5' long X 27" deep X 39" tall.

The top is 6' long X 33" deep, which gives a nice overhang on the front and sides.

I picked up a 12' bowling alley lane for $125 and used it for the top.

These benches are solid!!! Once I get some more of my garage build completed I plan to paint the benches and add doors to the bottom so the contents are concealed.

 

[CNGsaves]

Great score on the 12' of bowling alley wood for $125 . . that's a YOU **** !

I'd sure recommend sanding, stain, and polycoat the top.

 

[Pat Brady]

Ha-ha!! You scored huge, dude!! That is terrific!!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

LOVE the look of bowling alley workbenches!

I don't know if you've ever seen member Nimrod's garage but if you haven't treat yourself and do a search on his name. These photos are of a table he made for his drill press:





Man, I love that guy's garage. It's not for the "surgical suite as a garage" crowd but it is sweet.

I've thought of buying scrap hardwood flooring strips to make my own faux bowling alley workbench.

 

[1/2 Cup]

To die for, nice one

 

[Barnuba]

Great score on the 12' of bowling alley wood for $125 . . that's a YOU **** !

I'd sure recommend sanding, stain, and polycoat the top.

My first "You ****"! I am honored!!

Ha-ha!! You scored huge, dude!! That is terrific!!

Thanks man! I am pretty stoked about the bowling alley top!

LOVE the look of bowling alley workbenches!

I don't know if you've ever seen member Nimrod's garage but if you haven't treat yourself and do a search on his name. These photos are of a table he made for his drill press:





Man, I love that guy's garage. It's not for the "surgical suite as a garage" crowd but it is sweet.

I've thought of buying scrap hardwood flooring strips to make my own faux bowling alley workbench.

Thanks for the link/suggestion to check out Nimrod's shop. His drill press bench is sweet! I will definately search out his stuff to get some ideas.

To die for, nice one

Thanks Bro!!

 

[Lugnut30]

My father in law had a bowling alley Bar top in his basement bar. Awesome!! I WILL have a bowling alley bench top some day, I WILL!!

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Nimrod's garage for any that haven't seen it. One of THE outstanding garages on this website and most definitely nothing cookie-cutter about it at all.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3740

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5322

Anyone know what router bit I'd have to use to make the little arrowhead designs shown on Nimrod's bowling lane table and how to transfer that design to a filler piece from a darker wood?

 

[skippy24]

I'm a NUG and I have not seen that thread before Dan. Thanks for posting. Getting a little off topic but that might be the coolest garage here. And being in the Santa Cruz mountains is a big plus.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

Thought I would throw my bench into the hat. A few years ago I bought four sections of bowling alley at $15 each. For those that don't know, these are not light and it put the hurt on my pickup!

This is my woodworking bench. Brazilian redwood trim around the top and doug fir from my own trees for the base. I've since put a shelf across the bottom and added clamp storage.

 

[Wood'nMetal]

You scored huge, dude!! That is terrific!

Thanks, only problem is I have to find a couple dudes to help move them everytime I need something from that corner of the shop!

 

[Rory Bellows]

Nice bench! I was at an auction a few years ago when a local shopping center was being raised. It had a 30 lane bowling alley. They got got no bids for the the lanes. Started at $800 went down to $50. No takers. Granted there was no power and the bowling alley was in the basement. I have a generator and should of went for it but hauling wood up steps didn't sound like a great deal at the time. Funny thing was I read in the paper the scrappers who won the pin mechanisms started a fire and the fire dept showed up. If I could go back I would have bowling lane floors right now.

 

[Roojam]

I made a kitchen/dining table from one and rimmed it with half-round cedar.

 

[nine4gmc]

freaking sweet!!

 

[spy604]

How did you fasten the top to the frame?

 

[darwyn]

Definitely got a strike with that bench!

Can't believe no one else took the strike thing...

 

[zorty]

Man I saw a craigslist ad for a bowling alley lane section a while back and had the same bench thought, but never acted on it. That looks awesome!! If only it was still for sale... I love the dining room table idea too.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Heavy duty bench, I like it !

 

[wrench409]

I've been searching for just such material for a year. It's hard to come by now for some reason.

Anyone know of any resources?

 

[lilredex]

I've been searching for just such material for a year. It's hard to come by now for some reason.

Anyone know of any resources?

Right here if you are close by (in both maple or pine)...

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-tools-other-Reclaimed-Bowling-lanes-W0QQAdIdZ521350482

The pine version:


image upload no ads

 

[Barnuba]

freaking sweet!!

Thanks man!

How did you fasten the top to the frame?

Right now the top is not fastened as I still need to move things around for the remodel. Although, the tops are heavy enough (~225#'s) that I'm not sure they will need to be fastened.

Definitely got a strike with that bench!

Can't believe no one else took the strike thing...

For sure . . .

Man I saw a craigslist ad for a bowling alley lane section a while back and had the same bench thought, but never acted on it. That looks awesome!! If only it was still for sale... I love the dining room table idea too.

Keep looking on CL they come up from time to time. You can also posted in the wanted section of CL - you never know what folks have laying around that they don't advertise.

I agree - that table is sweet!!

Heavy duty bench, I like it !

Thanks man!

I've been searching for just such material for a year. It's hard to come by now for some reason.

Anyone know of any resources?

Keep trolling CL - also consider posting in the wanted section of CL.

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Once I finish up with my renovation I plan to paint the benches and add cabinet doors to the base. For the top I need to trim it out and poly.

 

[Tman]

Local bike shop used oak flooring for those that can not find a bowling alley being torn down. I will try and get a shot of it next time I am in town.

 

[9C1]

Many sleeps ago I had a bowling alley take out -- about 15-20 feet long. Problem was it was glued and nailed together with cut nails. Cutting it up was a chore, even with carbide tipped blade.
Terry