Work bench revival question

[KillNThrill24]

I picked up this bench from my mom's friend a few months ago. They moved into a house, this was in the basement and they wanted it out. It's pretty solid, and free is the best price you can get. But it's definitely seen some better days. The old 4x4 legs on the bottom were sitting in about 1/2" of water and rotted out, so I took them off before coming home with it. Not sure if I'll add new ones or not, it's low, but actually isn't too bad with a chair. I plan on using it for my gun bench as well as whatever other little projects I'd rather do in the house vs the big bench in the garage. But definitely mostly for gun stuff.

I'm thinking of just doing a quick sand and paint to to make it look decent again. What would/did you guys do with some of your old benches? I'm thinking a gray paint for the work surface and top, then black for legs/bottom?

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[Renegade1LI]

Looks useable, had a couple of drawers that could be restored, clean up paint would look good.I just bought a roll of rubber matting at HD 37 x 90 for a bench top cover nice to prevent scratching,just a thought.

 

[KillNThrill24]

That would be a solid Idea too. I'm not at all opposed to just throwing a big mat on it. Just wanted to hear from some of you guys on what you would do. Definitely noted.

And I have the 2 drawers for it. I'm going to scruff and throw some paint on the faces of them

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[Blind1]

I’d wipe it down and use it.... it’s a bench. Sacrilege, I know.

 

[jblnut]

I’d wipe it down and use it.... it’s a bench. Sacrilege, I know.

I'd do the same. Possibly sand the top a bit if it's horribly unlevel or a rubber top like was mentioned.

Seems like a nice solid work bench

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'd sand it, skim coat it will filler where there are cracks, price and paint. All but the top. That's I'd belt sand to look fresh and multi coat it with water based poly. It'll make an attractive gun bench if your paint color is right. Mine would be either a Dove Gray or a dark green. YMMV

 

[ZRX61]

That looks ridiculously low. Is the bench top 3/4 ply? What's the dimensions of the top?

 

[bri_man57]

I second the looking very low comment. I can't imagine even with a chair that you're not hunched over?

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[KillNThrill24]

I’d wipe it down and use it.... it’s a bench. Sacrilege, I know.

I like my stuff to at least start its life looking halfway decent.

Sacrilegious, I know.

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[KillNThrill24]

It's right around 36in tall if I remember correctly. I measured it the other day but don't remember exact dimensions. It sits a bit higher than it looks for sure. I'm 6'2 and held the camera over my head a little bit to get more of a top down angle on it.

Thanks for the responses so far. Arrogant and otherwise. I expected those responses tho. Most people don't care how their stuff looks, but some of us would like to refresh their stuff from time to time.

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[KillNThrill24]

I'd do the same. Possibly sand the top a bit if it's horribly unlevel or a rubber top like was mentioned.

Seems like a nice solid work bench [emoji481]

Thanks, the rubber top seems like a good plan for sure.

It's definitely pretty solid, I can tell whoever built it put a good bit of effort into it. The one out in my garage I built to hold engines, transmissiona, my 300lb ***, etc. I don't this one is THAT strong, but it doesn't need to be either lol

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[bugnut]

Painting the top is a great idea. I put a couple scrap wood and wing nut clamps on the ends of mine so I could put 18" wide freezer paper on it and renew it when needed. The smaller parts of guns and carbs stand out on the white paper. It may not allow you to nestle your chair under it so a modification may be needed to get closer to your work. And a good light!

 

[Renegade1LI]

It's right around 36in tall if I remember correctly. I measured it the other day but don't remember exact dimensions. It sits a bit higher than it looks for sure. I'm 6'2 and held the camera over my head a little bit to get more of a top down angle on it.

Thanks for the responses so far. Arrogant and otherwise. I expected those responses tho. Most people don't care how their stuff looks, but some of us would like to refresh their stuff from time to time.

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There is nothing wrong with looking goodxi take pride in my toms and equipment looking good, a lot of customers look at you differently when you are clean, neat and organized. If it looks good, it probably is!

 

[CraigStu]

A piece of 3/16 or 1/4 tempered board
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Hardboa...ual-0-175-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-832780/202404545
would cover all the imperfections. And, if you damage it, just a quick replacement is easy. Also consider the millions of styles and colors of snap together luxury vinyl floor tile.

 

[FJ 432]

I myself would consider a slight reconfiguration. The top seems to be 4 by 8. If so, I would replace the bottom posts with new, and redo the bottom to a smaller scale so that you can have more of a lip in the front. I believe a counter too deep just allows the user to load it up with junk. This way you can pull up a stool or chair to sit.

That would be a mother to move. Good find.

 

[Renegade1LI]

Here's the rubber mat from hd, looks pretty tuff and was reasonably priced.

 

[yeldogt]

Sister some 2x on the legs to make the height correct and add a masonite top ...

Actually like to work on hard cardboard when doing small work -- the stuff from the art stores/ copy centers. It's got some give and nothing bounces -- absorbs a little -- cheap easy to replace. Place on top of masonite like a blotter ... have some of the drawer liners around as well.

 

[nadogail]

I cover the top of my bench with a double layer of red paint masking paper. It is both durable and inexpensive. I refresh it on occasion, and very rarely sand the bench top and apply a coat of Minwax to make it look like new.

 

[ZRX61]

It's right around 36in tall if I remember correctly. I measured it the other day but don't remember exact dimensions. It sits a bit higher than it looks for sure. I'm 6'2 and held the camera over my head a little bit to get more of a top down angle on it.

If it were mine:
Paint it slate gray or one of those blues that seem popular right now EXCEPT the bench top. I'd throw down some varnish on that.

& probably do something about the drawer issue.

 

[CN Spots]

It WAS a bench. Now it's a desk. I'd reconfigure it like FJ 432 suggested if you're going to be doing up close detail work. You'll need to scoot your chair up under the top and with that front crossmember, you won't be able to.

If you're just going to be doing fine detail work on it another top option is those MDF panels from Lowes or HD. I have one of the smooth, white ones which makes it easy to find stray springs, clips etc. that always seem to escape during fishing reel repairs. I can wipe most oil and grease off with Simple Green. Not good if you're going to be hammering or putting heavy car parts on it though.

 

[SweetD]

Free is good. With the price of lumber this past year, you did well!

Sand it fresh, maybe coat it with a sealer if you want. Great score!

 

[bazzateer]

I'd re-instate the legs to full height. Sand it down then give it an oil stain. Once dry rubber mat on top.

 

[geneg]

Clean it up to knock off the paint & dirt. Wipe it down & then brush on some boiled linseed oil to the point of refusal. It's renewable, durable & forgiving. If you can do it in the sun, the coats absorb quicker. I'd also add the legs back to get the work surface where it needs to be. If the legs will be on a damp floor, put a 6" x 6" scrap of composite deck board under each one. It IS a very usable bench and the price was right.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I'd clean it up a bit, maybe sand with about a 120 grit. A little short but for gun cleaning or reloading that could be OK. Otherwise it wouldn't be hard to add wheels, feet or extend the legs. Maybe replace the missing drawers.
Rubber mat would be good for a gun bench.

 

[atch]

It looks like that whole top shelf unit can be removed from the bench part. If that's the case I'd take it off for a while and belt sand the bench top down to bare wood. Put a clear urethane, oil, sealer, etc. on the bench top. Paint the rest of the bottom unit. Then paint the top unit and put it back on.

As for height I'd raise it up to standing height and use a stool when you want to sit. I do a lot of things where I go to a bench and work for just a couple of minutes and then off to somewhere else in the shop. If you work that way you might get really tired of sitting in a chair and getting back up frequently.

Whatever you do please post pix when it's done.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I just installed some rubber gym equipment mat that I picked up at hd, it's 5 mm thick glued it to the masonite worth some 3 m super 77. I like that it is non slip and feels pretty durable plus it was 44$ for a 37" x 90" roll, had to seam a piece and it aligned well, let's see how out holds up.

 

[fireball_mike]

I agree with CraigStu tempered hardboard then replace when gets looking bad. I'm on my third top in 20 years I have a 1/2 metal plate on one end and a rubber mat on the other end my bench is 20 feet long with a saw in the center