Workbench / Gun Storage / Weekend Project

[vtwin650]

Weekend Project - want your ideas.

So I need a place to store my guns safely, out of sight and out of the
grabby hands of my 5 yo daughter. Currently they are all stored in a closet.

Space is limited in my house/garage so I was looking for a creative storage place - and I think I've got it.

On my 2 main workbenches, the tops are approx. 27" deep by 96" wide.
My plan is to hinge the tops at the wall, install a locking mechanism at the front
And to build a felt lined "hidden" compartment just under the lid.
My benches are built using 2x4's and do have a shelf , but I figure that the space
directly under the top is mostly wasted space anyhow.
The compartment will be approx 4" - 6" deep and will provide plenty of storage space for guns and anything else ammo related.

Has anyone done anything like this? Did I explain it well enough? If you have done something similar, please share... I will post pictures after completion.

Cheers!

 

[jlckmj]

That actually sounds like a good idea,

It would never work in my garage (or most others) because it would be an hour long project to clean the top off to get at the guns.

I could see a hidden drawer type system working though.

Jim

 

[cashishift]

a gun safe might be a better choice, if you only have hand guns they are pretty affordable.

I would also hope you have trigger locks on them.

 

[KSwiss]

Sounds cool, but I'd end up storing rarely used tools in it rather than guns. The pull out drawer also sounds more preferable.

 

[vtwin650]

I do currently have trigger locks on them and do not store the ammo in the same place.
A Pull out drawer is not fesable on these benches.
Sitting thinking about it, I will only be doing this on my main workbench, as I do not
usually keep anything on top of it - it is a work bench for working on engines, or what ever. Once I fix or build or dismantle the widget, I clean it off for the next project. The other bench does have tools - drill press, grinder, buffing wheel, VISE on it so it will not work, but one would be great.
I will use it for storing shotguns and rifles and handguns that I do not need immediate access to.
I keep a locked gun safe in the bed side table

Keep the thoughts and ideas coming, I would rather plan more and build it right the first time!!!

 

[paullie]

whats the weather like in your neck of the woods? if your shop gets cold/hot you dont want to store your firearms out there. how many guns are we talking? to keep the kids out just go buy a metal cabinet, they are cheap easy to move and will keep the kids out. i have one like this and got it on sale for $60 i think.

http://www.bing.com/shopping/stack-...gun+cabinet&lpq=stackon gun cabinet&FORM=HURE

after you get the cabinet, take off the stupid trigger locks and put some ammo in them, an unloaded gun is a high $$$$ paper weight

 

[Jackfre]

I've given some thought to building a gun cabinet with a front opening and using heavy duty drawer slides to carry the multi gun racks. It is more secure in holding the guns in place as I see it. Vertical storage means you are always knocking the guns in front as you try to access the gun in the back, and let's face it. You always want the one in the back. Essentially this would be a drawer type set-up. You could have a hand gun tray and all of the pistol/revolvers could be laid in a nice tray finished as you choose. Rifles and shotguns would slide out before you and you simply pick off the rack. Frame work and locking are up to you, but I like the Knaack gang box type lock, backed up with "others".

Don't wait to long. When I was 9 my best friend went to visit another friends house. He found his fathers shotgun in the closet, pointed it at Sean and blew his head off. I lost two friends that day. It just took John 10 more years to manage to kill himself. It happens! Lock'em up...today!

 

[kbs2244]

I would go with a “tip down” shelf that is hinged to the wall and has the front edge drop down below the front edge of the bench.
Door style “barrel” slide locks locking into the back side of the front would hold it up.
It is what you described but turned upside down.
That way you wouldn’t have to clean off the workbench top to open the area up.

 

[crewchief888]

when the kids were young, i kept loaded ammo, primers and powder under lock and key.

guns were in plain view, always seemed to keep the curiosity factor under control.

i had one rule, you never set foot in my reloading room when i'm not in there.

they respected my wishes.

 

[SARG]

I recall probably two decades ago a friend built a hidden gun safe into an interior wall of his home. The entry was hidden by the seams of the paneling and it was remarkably difficult to see.

Having children in the home changes the scenario.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Like Paullie said, I was thinking about the temp changes.

 

[chris ioakimedes]

I like the idea of building a cabinet into a wall. It would be good if it was fireproof.
Chris

 

[FLgarageDreamer]

I did that with mine for more storage, I used a piano hinge. I'll try and get some pictures tonight for you.

Weekend Project - want your ideas.

So I need a place to store my guns safely, out of sight and out of the
grabby hands of my 5 yo daughter. Currently they are all stored in a closet.

Space is limited in my house/garage so I was looking for a creative storage place - and I think I've got it.

On my 2 main workbenches, the tops are approx. 27" deep by 96" wide.
My plan is to hinge the tops at the wall, install a locking mechanism at the front
And to build a felt lined "hidden" compartment just under the lid.
My benches are built using 2x4's and do have a shelf , but I figure that the space
directly under the top is mostly wasted space anyhow.
The compartment will be approx 4" - 6" deep and will provide plenty of storage space for guns and anything else ammo related.

Has anyone done anything like this? Did I explain it well enough? If you have done something similar, please share... I will post pictures after completion.

Cheers!

 

[vtwin650]

I am very happy with the results so far - it is not finished, but the idea worked perfect.
As for Temp changes, I am fortunate to have a heated/cooled garage - one of the reasons I bought this house! The PO insulated and had ductwork completed in the garage, I now keep it the same temperature as the rest of the house - is nice because I can keep the door between house(mudroom) and garage wide open.

Here are pictures of the current state of the bench - I still need to line the compartment with something and then create a hidden locking mechanism.
I am open to ideas for the lock, as I am unsure what I am going to do.

 

[5lima30]

I would just go with a regular gun safe (w/ dehumidifier depending on climate). One other economical solution in your shop could be a JOB Box or gang box. You could make racks inside to hold long guns. Good luck!

 

[KSwiss]

Since you going for hidden, why not a simple lock, ie truck tool box lock at the bottom by the feet connected to a cable that pulls two latches on either side of the cabinet? You could use bicycle shifter cable.

That's what I'd do but that would be wanting to make my own lock to rely on secrecy as opposed to a bank strong system.