gun bench

[SWshooter]

If you want to trim those carriage bolts, grab them with a pair of fairly large channel locks and bend back and forth a couple times and they will break flush with the nut. Faster and easier than trying to saw them off. Speakin' of 'rhoids, I built my first bench out of rough cut oak 2x6's, still a little green, and I had to have three friends come over to help me turn it over once I had the legs on it. It's ugly, but I still use it for my heavy work.

[PantherPlayer]

I'm just gonna leave the bolts alone unless they become a problem.  I was planning to go with some wood filler of some sort in between the boards and then a lacquer or polyurathane.  I am putting it the only place I can for right now, down in a little half basement of my duplex.  I probably will want a light or two for it but that will come later.  I will probably have to run my own power for it down there because I think the only power in the basement is for two small overhead lights, good thing I'm an electrician ;)  I know what you mean SW, I manhandled the top down the stairs to get it inside before a storm hit and it's not very builder friendly.

[imschur]

I would skip the wood filler, that wood is going to move quite a bit and eventually the filler will pop out in random places. I often put masonite on my bench tops. When it gets crappy replace it.

[PantherPlayer]

Since my bolts are long I could easily take out three or so of the carriage bolts on each end and put a sheet of plywood, masonite, whatever I wanted and then drop those three bolts back in and secure my worktop....

[dirigoboy]

Someone please explain to me at what point you attain "OFS" (old fart status), because ashamedly, I was actually giddy about getting my lights up over my bench this afternoon.  It's over......I know it's over.

The lights are from Lowe's.  They're 48" 2-light T8 shop lights @ 17.98 plus 2 cool white lights (not included) @ $6.98/pr.  The price includes the jack chain for suspension, as well as the suspension hooks, so there's no additional hardware to buy.  I seem to keep doing that due to the age in which we live.  :o

Anyway, as I wait for more flotsam to arrive from Brownell's to further dress out my pride and joy, I have a couple of new pics with other window dressing.

Again, two parts due to pics.

[dirigoboy]

Part deux

[imschur]

Nice!

I cant attach lights to a bench. I tend to forget they are there when wrestling with stuff in a vise.

In my wood shop I kept whacking the bulbs with wood. I finally broke down and bought those shatter shield bulbs  ;D

Of course I also put a rifle barrel through my moms favorite tiffany lamp.

Im klutzy like that

[SWshooter]

The key to good craftsmanship is patience. When you find yourself getting irritated or frustrated walk away and take a break. After trouble shooting electronic systems for 30 years or so, I've found the biggest advantage I have over the new guys is I'm just a lot more patient than they are.

[dirigoboy]

Shop around for vises.  I like this Grizzly, as it's just right for me and fits my budget, but I found that  it does not lock solid in the upright position for clamping things horizontally, so I will have to see whether I am missing something (a real possibility) or that I'm going to have to drill the housing and throw in a bolt for stability.

Couldn't figure out this bit about the freewheeling action of the vise, so I emailed the company. 

So ok, I'm an idiot. They said that once you clamp something in it, it doesn't move.  ::)

[Dusty44]

Within the articles and projects at RealGuns.com is a really impressive gun bench and reloading bench.  Something to drool over;  some very interesting and innovative features.