Cheap workbench and vise for rebuilding a transfer case?

[discotwo]

I don't have a garage, just a 1 bedroom apartment, but I need a solid work surface to help me rebuild a transfer case.

Harbor freight has two options:

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage/workbench/48-in-workbench-with-light-60723.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage/workbench/60-in-4-drawer-hardwood-workbench-69054.html

I'm not sure if the 48" can have a vise mounted to it?

Or should I look for something else?

Thanks for the tips.

 

[tjdux]

Spend half the cash and buy some 2x4s and a .25 sheet of 3/4 plywood. Or heck 2 .25 sheets and have a real thick top.

That plus about 3 or 4 8ft 2x4s for legs and horizontal support and you're golden.

Even if you dont own a drill or saw you could buy corded (steer clear of HF battery tools) versions of both tools from harbor freight and still spend less total money than either of those workbenchs. Plus this route gets you some tools you can continue to use assuming you don't already have them.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[bad_idea]

I rebuilt the 231 transfer in my XJ last year. I don't remember needing a bench vise. I would say the kitchen table w/ a plastic sheet under a couple layers of cardboard should get the job done.

 

[Not1044]

Rebuilding a transfer case in your apartment, either you're single or your SO is definitely a keeper! +1 on the build your own idea, that's what I did for my 10x12 shed/workshop... I found a 1 1/4 38x66" desktop for free so all in, I'm under $25 for mine.

 

[Ign]

I rebuilt the 231 transfer in my XJ last year. I don't remember needing a bench vise. I would say the kitchen table w/ a plastic sheet under a couple layers of cardboard should get the job done.

This. I rebuilt two BW1356's in my spare bedroom on a standard folding table.

 

[Ralphxj]

I rebuilt the 231 in my XJ and installed a SYE kit on the sidewalk in front of my apartment many years ago. No work bend required. I reinstalled it at 3am laying on a sheet of plywood while a river of water from the rain ran under me (plywood was half in the street l, half in the sidewalk over the gutter)!

It sounds farfetched but it actually happen exactly like that. I had to get it finished for an offloading trip the next morning! My neighbor's thought I was nuts. I believe that was the same night the police stopped to ask me what I was doing when they saw me out there after midnight

 

[discotwo]

Thanks everyone

Making a quick table is probably the way to go. I have one of those long folding plastic outdoor tables, a portable keter bench, and a black and decker 2-slat bench, but it would be nice to have a more solid surface with a bolt-mounted vise. There's going to be a lot of banging, prying, pressing, and finangling.

I'm rebuilding an LT230 Land rover discovery 2 case. The seller said it leaked, so that could mean anything from as simple as seals/gaskets, and/or bearings. I like to get my hands dirty and become familiar with all the parts I touch, to know where things are at and build confidence in my rig, so I thought what the hell let's rebuild it.

I finished rebuilding my engine a few months ago for no particular reason. It worked fine before. Well, I did swap in flanged cylinder sleeves which is a big time-bomb on the old Rover V8's, added a performance camshaft, bearings definitely were on their way out, needed a valve job, etc. The feeling of having been inside the engine, cleaned, touched, measured, and reassembled everything yourself is a good feeling.

oh, and I have a large patio and live in San Diego, so I do all my work outside There's a cool welding shop nearby that is basically one big outdoor shop by the beach. Super cool