2X Bench!

mendozer · January 18, 2015, 07:04 PM

I needed to re-do my bench because the desk I had was too flimsy. Built this in two days using 2x materials largely. I chose it because it's simple (Scandinavian design...meh), cheap and rugged. I ended up adding Masonite on the top as my 2x12 work surface ended up a bit short on the frame. Miscalculation on my part. That's what happens when the wife is out of town and you spend 14 hours a day in the garage.
Power strip, wired shop light, lag bolted to the studs in my office, etc.
I made it 25" high, the same as my computer desk, so I can just swivel around and use it.

T nuts secured underneath to accept my hand knobs for fastening the presses down.

The knobs from JW Winco. 1" because the Hornady slot on the left has less clearance.

The very scientific and slightly redneck "Let me get up on this thing" test to verify the strength.

There she is. Was originally around $90 but after adding the light and masonite it's $164.

1stmar · January 18, 2015, 07:08 PM

Nice work

Kosh75287 · January 18, 2015, 07:27 PM

DAMN nice work. I like it!

Vance · January 18, 2015, 07:33 PM

Very nice. I knew that computer desk wouldn't last long after you used it the first time.

Jbotto · January 18, 2015, 08:45 PM

Nice! I like it! I can't wait until I can do a real bench for myself! I'm sick of being cramped! This looks like what I have been envisioning!

Clark · January 19, 2015, 10:55 AM

I built some benches in the small town where I was hunting in Oct 2014.
The local lumberyard did not have masonite.
I had to order it. Not everyone uses the same name to describe it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonite

Masonite is a type of hardboard made of steam-cooked and pressure-molded wood fibres in a process patented by William H. Mason. This product is also known as Quartrboard, Isorel, hernit, karlit, torex or treetex.

....Similar "tempered hardboard" is now a generic product made by many forest product companies.

By the time I was done I thought Masonite = Tempered Hardboard.

McCarthy · January 20, 2015, 08:10 PM

@mendozer

Where can I order one? You live in Central Florida? I buy beer and steaks

Nick_C_S · January 20, 2015, 09:37 PM

Looks real good. Nice work.

Wreck-n-Crew · January 20, 2015, 09:42 PM

Give me a shout next time the better half is out of town and I'll have you come help build me one!

Gonna stain that puppy?

Mike / Tx · January 21, 2015, 05:32 AM

Very similar to the one I built. I liked using the 2X's on top only I managed to find a 6' prefabbed kitchen counter top with a broken corner and got it for $25 since it was going to be culled. After slapping down a thin coat of Liquid Nails then coming in from the bottom with some screws it is there till the "Calling". My shelf was a piece of 3/4" plywood I managed to scrounge up that I cut out the corners so that it slid in form the side and then laid flat. Did the same treatment with the Liquid Nails on it as well. Even before I bolted it to the wall you could use the press easily. LOL

After a couple of weeks it sorta looked a little bare so I went shopping again and this time found a couple of scratch and dented prefab cabinets so I picked up two of the taller ones and one two door like might go over a sink. I set the two taller ones on each end and put a 1x12 across the top and set the two door on top of that. Makes it all come together really nice.

Since then I have mounted two presses and filled up all the cabinets, now if I could just find the top of the table.....

Jbotto · January 21, 2015, 03:59 PM

C'mon Mike, you can't describe it so nicely like that and NOT share a picture!!!

Mike / Tx · January 21, 2015, 05:51 PM

Quote:

C'mon Mike, you can't describe it so nicely like that and NOT share a picture!!!

To be honest at this point in time I would be ashamed to post a pic of what it actually looks like at this time. Oh it is VERY functional, but it has stuff piled all over it from me "starting" to "reorganize" some of it as well as another cabinet sitting along side it.

I will see if I do have a pick of it before it got so "broken in looking"

Clark · January 22, 2015, 04:37 PM

I built this 6' bench and over head shelf while hunting 900 miles from here in Oct 2014.
The Masonite arrived after I shot my mule buck, antelope buck, and left town.

At another house I built two 16' long [32 feet] of benches and under the bench shelves while hunting 900 miles from here in Oct 2014.
The Masonite arrived after I shot my mule buck, antelope buck, and left town.

I have been told that the Masonite arrived and has been ripped on the lumberyard table saw and installed at both houses with screws.

It used to be that hunting was mostly camping.
Then hunting was mostly watching TV.
I try to do more constructive things while waiting for the weather to clear.

January 18, 2015, 07:04 PM	#1
mendozer Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Posts: 235	2X Bench! I needed to re-do my bench because the desk I had was too flimsy. Built this in two days using 2x materials largely. I chose it because it's simple (Scandinavian design...meh), cheap and rugged. I ended up adding Masonite on the top as my 2x12 work surface ended up a bit short on the frame. Miscalculation on my part. That's what happens when the wife is out of town and you spend 14 hours a day in the garage. Power strip, wired shop light, lag bolted to the studs in my office, etc. I made it 25" high, the same as my computer desk, so I can just swivel around and use it. T nuts secured underneath to accept my hand knobs for fastening the presses down. The knobs from JW Winco. 1" because the Hornady slot on the left has less clearance. The very scientific and slightly redneck "Let me get up on this thing" test to verify the strength. There she is. Was originally around $90 but after adding the light and masonite it's $164.

January 18, 2015, 07:27 PM	#3
Kosh75287 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2007 Posts: 820	DAMN nice work. I like it! __________________ GOD BLESS JEFF COOPER, whose instructions, consultations, and publications have probably saved more lives than can ever be reliably calculated. DVC, sir. انجلو. المسلحة. جاهزة. Carpe SCOTCH!

January 19, 2015, 10:55 AM	#6
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I built some benches in the small town where I was hunting in Oct 2014. The local lumberyard did not have masonite. I had to order it. Not everyone uses the same name to describe it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonite Masonite is a type of hardboard made of steam-cooked and pressure-molded wood fibres in a process patented by William H. Mason. This product is also known as Quartrboard, Isorel, hernit, karlit, torex or treetex. ....Similar "tempered hardboard" is now a generic product made by many forest product companies. By the time I was done I thought Masonite = Tempered Hardboard. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

January 20, 2015, 09:37 PM	#8
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,524	Looks real good. Nice work. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

January 20, 2015, 09:42 PM	#9
Wreck-n-Crew Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,820	Give me a shout next time the better half is out of town and I'll have you come help build me one! Gonna stain that puppy? __________________ If you ever have to use a firearm, *you don't get to pick the scenario!*

January 18, 2015, 07:08 PM	#2
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Nice work

January 18, 2015, 07:33 PM	#4
Vance Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2011 Location: North Bend, OR Posts: 743	Very nice. I knew that computer desk wouldn't last long after you used it the first time.

January 18, 2015, 08:45 PM	#5
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	Nice! I like it! I can't wait until I can do a real bench for myself! I'm sick of being cramped! This looks like what I have been envisioning!

January 20, 2015, 08:10 PM	#7
McCarthy Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2015 Posts: 312	@mendozer Where can I order one? You live in Central Florida? I buy beer and steaks

January 21, 2015, 05:32 AM	#10
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	Very similar to the one I built. I liked using the 2X's on top only I managed to find a 6' prefabbed kitchen counter top with a broken corner and got it for $25 since it was going to be culled. After slapping down a thin coat of Liquid Nails then coming in from the bottom with some screws it is there till the "Calling". My shelf was a piece of 3/4" plywood I managed to scrounge up that I cut out the corners so that it slid in form the side and then laid flat. Did the same treatment with the Liquid Nails on it as well. Even before I bolted it to the wall you could use the press easily. LOL After a couple of weeks it sorta looked a little bare so I went shopping again and this time found a couple of scratch and dented prefab cabinets so I picked up two of the taller ones and one two door like might go over a sink. I set the two taller ones on each end and put a 1x12 across the top and set the two door on top of that. Makes it all come together really nice. Since then I have mounted two presses and filled up all the cabinets, now if I could just find the top of the table..... __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

January 21, 2015, 03:59 PM	#11
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	C'mon Mike, you can't describe it so nicely like that and NOT share a picture!!!

January 22, 2015, 04:37 PM	#13
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I built this 6' bench and over head shelf while hunting 900 miles from here in Oct 2014. The Masonite arrived after I shot my mule buck, antelope buck, and left town. At another house I built two 16' long [32 feet] of benches and under the bench shelves while hunting 900 miles from here in Oct 2014. The Masonite arrived after I shot my mule buck, antelope buck, and left town. I have been told that the Masonite arrived and has been ripped on the lumberyard table saw and installed at both houses with screws. It used to be that hunting was mostly camping. Then hunting was mostly watching TV. I try to do more constructive things while waiting for the weather to clear. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?