COBrien Posted April 19, 2018 Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 Okay, I've finally decided to bite the bullet and set up my garage workbench in a way that's more suitable to building rifles. I've had one of these for awhile now. Well, it's that setup, but it's got a 5/8" particle board work surface (actually 22ish" x 45ish"). IMO, not suitable for any sort of vise work. I also have had a Cracker Jack 4" bench vise for, well, most of my life. But I haven't mounted it to this workbench because, well, particle board. So... Today, on my way back from a hearing in OKC, I swung by a Lowe's. And picked up a couple of 3/4" maple plywood panels, 2'x4'. Will be cutting those down, gluing and screwing them together (to give me ~1-1/2" of thickness), then securing them to the workbench. I'm thinking 1-1/4" deck screws around the edge, with fender washers to hold them to the metal lip inside the bench frame. Next up will be a Wilton 4" light duty vise. It's probably not all that much better than what I have, but it's American made and appears to be sturdy. That will be mounted with nuts, bolts, and the biggest damned fender washers I can find. The vise and a pair of magnetic nylon jaw covers should get here Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted April 19, 2018 Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 I like Wilton vises - you'll be happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBrien Posted April 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 I'm honestly just hoping this will hold up to 80 ft-lbs. I don't see why it shouldn't, but looking at a lot of other guys' benches, (2"x4" "butcher block" tops...) has me (probably unnecessarily) leery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted April 19, 2018 Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 I would suggest forgoing the wood screws and drill holes and go with some bolts to hold down the vise base. And if you are really paranoid.......well, a metal plate (drilled with a matching hole pattern to the vise of course ) under there for security. More surface area to add to security of vise. 1/4 inch bolts will work, and will not loosen up like wood screws will with time. Some loctite and lock washers will go a long way on those bolts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted April 19, 2018 Report Share Posted April 19, 2018 Hell, even another 3/4 plywood piece (plate) under the bench would go a long way to sturdy things up. just sandwich the metal of the bench frame with it, and go to town! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 (edited) I second this^^ transfer the load to the ground.. meaning support legs directly under the load will suffice for a vice. ? Edited April 20, 2018 by sketch good shits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBrien Posted April 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 (edited) Just to be clear, I wasn’t planning on using wood screws (or even lag bolts) to hold the vise to the work surface. Once I get the vise in hand, I’ll find the largest diameter bolts that will fit through the holes in its base, and had planned on large fender washers underneath, along with nuts and Loctite. The wood screws would only be used for keeping the work surface attached to the metal frame of the bench, with fender washers (I was picturing 2-3 on each end, 4 on the front, and 4 on the rear). Thinking about it now, though, I could probably find some steel strap and do the same thing, but run it continuously around the perimeter underneath. I do see what you’re saying about sandwiching the frame with another piece of 3/4” ply underneath. And now I’m sitting here wondering if putting one piece of the 3/4” that I already have on top, and the other underneath (making my “sandwich” with just 2 pieces, rather than adding a third), would be a better option than what I’d originally planned. OR — I could utilize the 5/8” particle board top I already have, that’s already cut to size. Edited April 20, 2018 by COBrien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBrien Posted April 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 (edited) 3/4” maple ply on top, glued & screwed to the 5/8” particle board, with 3/4” maple ply underneath to sandwich the metal frame. Plywood installed from underneath fastened to top (again, 3/4” on top of 5/8”) with numerous HD deck screws. Screws long enough to reach at least halfway through top 3/4” plywood panel. How’s that sounding? Edited April 20, 2018 by COBrien Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rsquared Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 Beefy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 sounds good! rember to layout any screws before drilling for the threw bolt. no need to burn up a good wood bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 My directions weren't clear. Wood screws and glue to laminate your plywood if that is what you want, but bolts to attach to bench top. ....not just vise, but whole vise mount block AND vice. use bolts for plywood mount block to bench and also run long enough bolts through whole assembly (vice, laminated pieces, and bench) ....overkill mayhaps, but the weak point is now your bench and what you have it attached to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 I have purchased bolts long enough to run through dimensional lumber and worktops, it makes for solid mounting of tools, period. If you can't find/don't want to purchase long bolts....buy a long enough section of "ready rod" (one long threaded rod) and make your own bolts to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted April 20, 2018 Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 I have a Wilton vice. It’s a beast!!! I still need to make some deltin/polymer plates so I don’t mar up my work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBrien Posted April 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2018 9 hours ago, bubbas4570 said: My directions weren't clear. Wood screws and glue to laminate your plywood if that is what you want, but bolts to attach to bench top. ....not just vise, but whole vise mount block AND vice. use bolts for plywood mount block to bench and also run long enough bolts through whole assembly (vice, laminated pieces, and bench) ....overkill mayhaps, but the weak point is now your bench and what you have it attached to. Gotcha. Biggest problem is that this frame is light-ish gauge steel, and the lip the work surface sits on is approx. 1/4" all the way around -- not much material to drill & bolt through. That's why I was thinking of sandwiching the frame between the fiberboard and plywood all the way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted April 21, 2018 Report Share Posted April 21, 2018 scrap it and make it out of 2x4/2x6 .. make it any shape you want and put a nice laminent or other top on it.. sorry better pick might help if you need help? doubling up is a good start? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted April 21, 2018 Report Share Posted April 21, 2018 (edited) This is is how mine is made. Solid, no movement. Standard plywood top, nothing special. As you might notice, I do prefer overkill. Edited April 21, 2018 by bubbas4570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted April 21, 2018 Report Share Posted April 21, 2018 The one next to the wall mounted bench is solid also, frame made so that a 3/4 inch old oak tabletop can set down inside of 2x4 frame. That is just more for cleaning, maintenance, and casting duties....it isn't bolted to wall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted April 21, 2018 Report Share Posted April 21, 2018 And one more thing, if you make one, do NOT go deep on top depth. More real estate on benchtop is not always better. Figure what is needed, and use that. More space allows for for clutter accumulation. This is how it works for me, you may differ in accumulation of craps on benchtop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBrien Posted April 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2018 I’m committed to making this one do for now — but I’ll be building something better once we get to our “forever home” and I have an actual shop... Attached pics are what I have under the workbench top. Don’t mind what’s in the drawers — I had to clear the top before I could remove it... I have about 3/4” on the perimeter to bolt to, and about 5/8” in the center rib on each side. Also, my idea of having a nice, continuous sheet of plywood underneath to sandwich everything together is shot. I’m open to suggestions (that don’t include “scrap it,” “sell it,” “build from scratch,” etc., because that’s just not in the cards right now). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted April 22, 2018 Report Share Posted April 22, 2018 i would have just added to the top that was already secured to it if it was sound and not rotten. get you some metal tapping screws and re fit the og top. then double that for the vice. your vice will most likley see downward pressure. you could always use a good wood glue and screws to laminate the two plys.. but not nessary. if it was a floor you walked on every day sure. keeps the sqweek at bay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBrien Posted April 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2018 1 hour ago, sketch said: i would have just added to the top that was already secured to it if it was sound and not rotten. get you some metal tapping screws and re fit the og top. then double that for the vice. your vice will most likley see downward pressure. you could always use a good wood glue and screws to laminate the two plys.. but not nessary. if it was a floor you walked on every day sure. keeps the sqweek at bay! The original top wasn’t secured, just sitting in place. Since I have the material, I’m thinking laminating the two pieces of 3/4” ply together, drilling holes in the metal, and running deck screws up from underneath is going to be the simplest way to get this done. No sense in complicating things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted April 22, 2018 Report Share Posted April 22, 2018 word. you can see it first hand so that should suffice! give me some wood and ill build you a house.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted April 22, 2018 Report Share Posted April 22, 2018 COBrien, your last post is what will more than likely work well enough, given what you have to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Funnk Posted April 22, 2018 Report Share Posted April 22, 2018 18 hours ago, sketch said: word You taking it back old school, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COBrien Posted April 24, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2018 Getting closer to being done with this little project... I got my 3/4" sheets glued together on Sunday -- clamped them and let them sit until last night (I know that's longer than necessary, but that's how long it took to get back to it...). Went to cut them down to size, only to find I'd purchased the wrong size blade for my circular saw. What I wanted was a 40-tooth blade, what I had was a worn 20-tooth blade. Dammit. Not being one to wait (and working on a shortened schedule -- more on that in a bit), I went ahead and made do with what I had, I just took it slow. Came out great, fits perfectly. Also drilled the holes in the bench and drilled pilot holes in the plywood. Marked my vise location and have it ready to drill those holes, but I had to pack it in for the night. All this work is being done while the wife is in SC handling some family matters. So it's just me, the kiddo (17 m/o), and the dogs at the house. Which means no work gets done (with saws, screws, etc.) until the youngern is asleep at 8:30. My goal is to have the bench completed and her rifle mostly assembled (sans gas tube -- SLR needs to hurry up) before she returns Thursday. So the bench gets completed tonight, and the rifle work begins tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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