Workbench finished......
 

I finally finished refurbishing an antique workbench that my grandfather and father both used in their businesses. My best estimate is that it was built about 1940-1945, was in my grandfather's service station until about 1958 and then was moved to my Dad's business where it remained until about 3 months ago. I had to repair a couple of the legs, replace the front piece and one end of the top working surface (red oak) and sand off about 1/8" or so of the top. It is made of hardwood and is held together by bolts. There are 6 - 1/2" rods thru the top section with a large spring on one end to allow for expansion and contraction. The top is made of tongue and groove construction with the pieces being about 3" thick. It is 10 ft long, 3 ft high and 32" wide. Weight has got to be close to 400 lbs! The top still has some worm holes and gouges, etc, but I think that it adds to the character of the bench. Here are some pictures.

Before

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317386689.jpg

After

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317386751.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317386797.jpg

Cool. Nice looking piece.

Looks like a worthwhile project.... Gotta love old stuff that was built to last.

VERY nice!!!

Very cool, and great save!

Nice and real patina, nice leg repair. Cheers

Very nice bench

Wow... Now that's a work bench.

I would love to build something like that. I like the idea of using the half inch rods and springs to hold it together.

That's outstanding. Any way to put a complimentary back on it? Just a gutter would help.

I like!

Gorgeous. I'm stuck with costco stainless steel and thus no vise.
Why not another 120V outlet mid bench?

I have several vices. COOL work bench!

Wow! Very, very nice!!

Super cool. Looks great and will probably last another 70 years if necessary.

Me too, but not so much in the garage.

Back.....
 

Planning on doing that, just haven't found the right piece of hardwood yet. Some how, I don't think plywood belongs on this bench! I have an acquaintance that has a large amount of black walnut wood boards. I might be able to get something from him that would "fit in".

That is almost to nice to work on

My thought exactly...

That's what my wife thought......
 

She wanted it in the kitchen to be the world's biggest butcher block!

Too nice. I'd consider putting piece of plywood on one end for the really dirty work.

Dirty work..........
 

I've got two other work benches that I built for the really nasty/abusive jobs. They are 8 ft long with a 3 ft wide working surface (each). I now have a bench grinder, a drill press and a vise mounted on the old work bench. Those might generate a lot of metal chips, but that can be vacuumed up. Any oily/greasy or "pound the crap out of something" will be done on the smaller benches.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317439545.jpg

Is that your garage? If so, I hate you! :D

Garage............
 

Well, er, um, yes it is my garage/shop. I have just "moved in", and I am still getting things set up/arranged. It is 24 x 28 with a 12 ft wide carport on one end. Here are a couple of pictures.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317460056.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317460258.jpg

Very nice!...all of it.
Ain't envy a b!tch?
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What floor covering is that?
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How about a Rosin paper workbench cover for that antique bench?
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http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Tools---Tips/DIY-Workshop/Shop-improvements/rosin-paper-workbench-cover

Nice set up. I bet you get lots done in there undisturbed.

That's a good idea.

Very cool.

Concrete floor covering....
 

The floor finish is Rustoleum epoxy concrete paint. I chose to use the tan color rather than the grey color to help keep the inside of the building as light as possible. The only problem that I had with it is that it tends to set up faster than the instructions say. Also, one batch dried a slightly different shade than the rest. At some point in the future, I will probably either repaint or maybe put down some of the decorative floor tiles. It is a little slick when wet, but is ok dry.

Fred,
That looks like a great reloading/gunsmithing bench!!

Great bench.........
 

Art,

I think it will be great for most any project! At least I hope so!!