Slapped together a 36"X36"X24" workbench/storage extension for my dinning room turned workspace today.
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy77/Tightlines666/Mobile%20Uploads/20160110_193535_zpsr1c3xscd.jpg) (http://s779.photobucket.com/user/Tightlines666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160110_193535_zpsr1c3xscd.jpg.html)
I built it to store my larger tools (Spooling Machine, Arbor Press, Benchtop Vice, Grider, Polisher, & future bench top sharpener) on heavy plywood base modules that can be stored under the bench, and pulled out as needed. It also houses 9 standard Plano boxes, and will hold 6 Dewalt boxes w/removable boxes full of parts. Sonic cleaner, and line will go on the shelf to the right. I am also going to get some rubbermade bins to store large reel parts, bagged used parts, and rod wrapping supplies under the bench. I will likely add a backdrop with a built on rod dryer at a later date. This should give me the 8' of total Benchtop space needed to set up the power wrapper as well. Did it on the cheap (~$120 in wood/supplies), and it only took a couple of hours to throw together.
Trying to find enough space to repair reels, and maybe start wrapping rods, along with my burgeoning reel collection in a small apartment has its challenges. I feel I made a little progress today anyways.
Looks like it could be quite funcitional, John. Well done!
Good job, John --
Best,
Fred
Hi John,
A small observation on what we have found works very well, is using the 'work top' from kitchen units as the main work bench. The melamine or hard platic surface is dead easy to keep clean, and provides a nice smooth surface to work from.
We use them in our rod building workshop, as they are very stable and don't warp or twist, our biggest problem is getting work benches that are 15-16' long for our long surf rods. The rod dryers are then all wall mounted, so we use the wall space behind the work bench to best effect, and have a stack of 4 dryers, so we can keep building surf rods, while some are drying. Might be a problem in a small apartment, but the work top idea might save a lot of mess.
Cheers from sunny Africa,
Jeri
Quote from: Tightlines666 on January 11, 2016, 06:05:41 AM
Slapped together a 36"X36"X24" workbench/storage extension for my dinning room turned workspace today.
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy77/Tightlines666/Mobile%20Uploads/20160110_193535_zpsr1c3xscd.jpg) (http://s779.photobucket.com/user/Tightlines666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160110_193535_zpsr1c3xscd.jpg.html)
Trying to find enough space to repair reels, and maybe start wrapping rods, along with my burgeoning reel collection in a small apartment has its challenges. I feel I made a little progress today anyways.
That's why I tried to rent 2 bedroom apts when I lived in an apt. I covered the floor of the second bedroom with Masonite to protect the carpet and used it for a workroom. My wife now lets me have a whole bedroom in the house.
Jeri,
I was actually thinking about what you said the other day about keeping reel repair, and rod wrapping surfaces seperate. Due to my limited space, not really an option, but I was considering some kind of full length surface mat that could be rolled up when not in use, like a plastic, vinyl, rubber type mat or something. I think a full length countertop would make a great working surface, just not sure about storage when I'm focusing on reel work. Still havn'the decided about the backdrop.. may pull the metal one off, and build a wood backing with top shelf, and room to mount a rod dryer underneith. Probably just start with a single rod benchtop dryer though.
Hi,
We use the Pacbay type rod dryers, and because they are on individual wooden stands, they can be mounted anywhere. We have them screwed direct to the wall, but obviously not appropriate for your application, but if you had a full length shelf, then the dryer motor unit could be mounted under the shelf, and then a small side shelf to rest the roller unit on to accomodate the length of your rods.
With the worktop type surface, because it is easy to clean, then you can do all your reel repairs and services on it, and then a good clean before you start any rod work. We just buy the work tops, and then fix them to whatever we need to that is underneath. Cheap kitchen units are what we are looking for in the garage tackle shorage area, and then a work top over the top. Clean flat surfaces are a premium.
My reel service area is away from the rod benches in our workshop, so I don't have to keep cleaning it of oil spills and the like, but in a compact environment, then a dual purpose surface might well be the answer.
Cheers
Jeri
I like your Plano box storage. Your Kobalt overhead shelf is more than strong enough to cantilever a full length shelf for a dryer out of 1x stock. Maybe even 2 if you have the production to need more than one.
Good, logical set up.
Ron
I appreciate all the tips and feedback.
I decided to ad a backdrop, with 2 shelves to the newly built bench.
Here's the result...
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy77/Tightlines666/Mobile%20Uploads/20160116_192732_zpsqaoq758e.jpg) (http://s779.photobucket.com/user/Tightlines666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160116_192732_zpsqaoq758e.jpg.html)
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy77/Tightlines666/Mobile%20Uploads/20160116_201138_zpskpfqnwlu.jpg) (http://s779.photobucket.com/user/Tightlines666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160116_201138_zpskpfqnwlu.jpg.html)
I should be able to mount one or 2 rod dryers on the backdrop now, and I gained a bit more shelve space.
Quote from: Tightlines666 on January 11, 2016, 06:05:41 AM
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy77/Tightlines666/Mobile%20Uploads/20160110_193535_zpsr1c3xscd.jpg) (http://s779.photobucket.com/user/Tightlines666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160110_193535_zpsr1c3xscd.jpg.html)
Jealous of your ultrasonic cleaner. I'm using one that is intended to clean small pieces of jewelry - very slowly. I usually let it run for 30-40 minutes, maybe more when I forget it's on (it's on the bathroom sink counter). My wife keeps reminding me to keep the bathroom presentable, like we have regular guests (we do not).
Sid
Quote from: sdlehr on January 17, 2016, 05:49:59 AM
Jealous of your ultrasonic cleaner. I'm using one that is intended to clean small pieces of jewelry - very slowly. I usually let it run for 30-40 minutes, maybe more when I forget it's on (it's on the bathroom sink counter). My wife keeps reminding me to keep the bathroom presentable, like we have regular guests (we do not).
Sid
Sid,
I have been very happy with this unit. It is simple, powerful, and big enough to handle 130 class reels. Also reminds me of my former life in the lab. Gotta love
Fisher Scientific.
Guess I can'tell leave well enough alone. I decided to the Jeri'so advice and install a 2'X 8' countertop. I managed to score a new one for $40 because it had a chip. This should now give me the proper bench top surface, and space, while maintaining parts and tool storage. My dining room has officially been converted into a workshop.
(http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy77/Tightlines666/Mobile%20Uploads/20160118_171416_zpstyq0zev0.jpg) (http://s779.photobucket.com/user/Tightlines666/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160118_171416_zpstyq0zev0.jpg.html)
My work surface is plywood now. I'm looking at yours with jealous eyes. The plywood soaks up grease and dirt. Your way is an improvement. I can get a piece of laminate for $40. It might happen... I haven't done any rod building in a while, not since I've soaked my work surface with grease. It might be a necessity... ;D
Sid
You are on a roll John. That last upgrade puts it over the top. ;D
Man on a Mission. ;)
Sid,before I went nomad, I used to cover my bench tops with "tempered hard board" common at the big box construction store...found it somewhat grease and liquid resistant and easily replaced..I would glue it down with a white glue then scrape it up when no longer serviceable....if I could have gotten Johns bench top that cheap, I would have done that for sure...Bill
Like Tarfu I use the tempered hard brd with dbl sided tape. When front side gets worn or nasty I rotate it to the back. I get four uses when it's flipped over and rotated again.
Sometime I would like to try the laminated surface, for the ease of clean up (for the not so messy reel work I'm in the house at the kitchen table....ha and she doesn't mind).
Nice set up guys.
Hi All,
The reason we use the laminated worktops, is that they are so easy to clean, even of dried resin. We get drips coming off the rods when we heat out the bubbles - leave it to dry, then simply chip them off with an old craft knife blade. Clean out the workshop once a week, and it looks super clean and efficient.
It is amazing how easy it is to work in a tidy environment.
Cheers
Jeri
First addition to my work station, the tool box
Joe
Joe, that's a beauty. The only problem is you keep buying and adding tools. It gets expensive after a while.
Regards to you and Ruth, .. Lou
The tools I have, it's the organization I didn't have. :-[
Joe
The "workshop" probably about 60% Rod and reel repair with the rest devoted to computer repairs and other paraphernalia.
My place is pretty small so I have to think vertical. I built the bench and shelving many years ago.
I am always running out if room!
The bench top is solid stained ply finished with a tough polyurethane coat. There is a large rubber mat over the work area.
Drawers hold tools, lubricants and common spare parts inventory and rod pair gear.
There is a rod lathe stored vertically on the end wall which occupies the bench when it is free.
Opposite Wall:
Left: Incoming reel jobs in the stacked trays.
Garage sale acquisitions- rods and reels which I repair as time allows for resale.
Centre: Mono and braid storage, various rod jobs and drying rack.
Right: Stacked drawers containing reel wrecks classified according to brand and type.
Don't go out onto the veranda. You might start to worry!
~
Nice setup!
Joe
For my reel benches, I use 3/4" white Melamine -- it does come in various colors if you go to a professional cabinet shop or stock supplier -- not HD or Lowes. Tough, lasts for 15 years (so far), and cleans up quickly.
For my wood working benches -- I have always used 1/4" hardboard. Just build your base frame using 3/4" ply or MDX for a base. Nail a 1X4 flush with the top of the ply or MDX -- just rough lay and tack with finishing nails countersunk slightly the 1/4" hardboard. Use a router with a 1/4" half round ball bering bit -- just follow the 1X4 around the edges of the bench -- and you will have a perfectly smooth and flush top edge.
I just treat with rubbed in boiled linseed oil -- probably reapply every 2 years.
Cheap, easy, and longlasting.
If I ever needed to replace the top -- it is super easy and cheap. But have never needed to yet.
Best,
Fred
Very nice set up exp2000 , the problem you'll have now is to keep it that way ;D
Quote from: foakes on January 24, 2016, 05:04:17 PM
3/4" white Melamine -- it does come in various colors if you go to a professional cabinet shop or stock supplier -- not HD or Lowes.
Yes to HD http://www.homedepot.com/p/Melamine-White-Panel-Common-3-4-in-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-Actual-750-in-x-49-in-x-97-in-461877/100070209
Siid
nice work john!!!
this thread is full of good ideas for the work bench
my work bench is a portable table with portable tool box (I still think is a hobby :-\ ;D)) and I protect the table from the grease with a thick vinil cover and change it as need it, I can clean it 3-5 times before toss it.
but at my job there are many house contruction goods as kitchen melanine or tops that I could use like the ones show it here and they will work much better than my current setup for my mobile work shop, hopefully I could do the expasion to the house soon and get me a proper mancave, not in a short future, tho.
thanks guys.
Sorry, but I could not view any of the pictures? must be a glitch? have anybody else had this problem? ???
The photos on page one have been hit by Photobucket - unless the OP re-hosts them they will remain 'invisible'. Alternatively use Chrome or Firefox as a browser - there are plugins for those that enable viewing of the photos - Internet Explorer won't work.