Cleaning Work Table

[2nd 41]

Just bought a Tipton Best Vice. I'm considering a Black and Decker WM425 or WM1000 to use with it. Also want to use the WorkMate for small projects. Any comments or suggestions. Anyone own a Black&Decker WM. I want to store both when not using. Thanks, Frank

 

[boom boom]

I have one of the WM 1000's and I would find it a bit rickety for guncleaning rifles or shotguns--it doesn't have enough weight for stability and its narrow footprint makes it more likely to overturn.. Right now, I have a chop saw attached to it for rough sawing as the saw has the weight to add some stability. I also thing Harbor Freight has a cheap knockoff if you just wanted the clamp function of the table.

Have you thought about one of those 6ft particle board folding tables covered in vinyl that you find at churches and other organizations (not the lightweight plastic types). A heavy table is good when you are using a tight fitting patch and scubbing a bore.

 

[2nd 41]

I have one of the WM 1000's and I would find it a bit rickety for guncleaning rifles or shotguns--it doesn't have enough weight for stability and its narrow footprint makes it more likely to overturn.. Right now, I have a chop saw attached to it for rough sawing as the saw has the weight to add some stability. I also thing Harbor Freight has a cheap knockoff if you just wanted the clamp function of the table.

Have you thought about one of those 6ft particle board folding tables covered in vinyl that you find at churches and other organizations (not the lightweight plastic types). A heavy table is good when you are using a tight fitting patch and scubbing a bore.

Hi boom. Thanks for your reply. Aside from not using the WM for firearm cleaning how do you like it in general. I'm thinking of having one for tinkering and light projects.

 

[boom boom]

It's lightweight and easy to move. I used it for various home repair tasks involving cutting boards, trim, light routing, and as a support for a rotary tile cutter.

 

[Clark]

I have modified my gun vise to clamp into my 400 pound woodworking work bench.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W75L32/

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=31146&cat=1,41637
Lee Valley charged me $20 for those plans in 1984, and I found 6 mistakes.
Now they only want $15.

During October hunting season I stayed in a friend's basement of his Log cabin in Montana.
I built him a bench and bought a gun vise for him.
I bought a 1.5" thick laminated cutting board as the top.
I just plopped the gun vise on top.

With mine a guy could shake the rifle as hard as possible and only move 1/4".
But with the system I left my friend, everything would slide off and fall down.

 

[2nd 41]

View attachment 227116 View attachment 227117
I have modified my gun vise to clamp into my 400 pound woodworking work bench.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W75L32/

http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=31146&cat=1,41637
Lee Valley charged me $20 for those plans in 1984, and I found 6 mistakes.
Now they only want $15.

During October hunting season I stayed in a friend's basement of his Log cabin in Montana.
I built him a bench and bought a gun vise for him.
I bought a 1.5" thick laminated cutting board as the top.
I just plopped the gun vise on top.

With mine a guy could shake the rifle as hard as possible and only move 1/4".
But with the system I left my friend, everything would slide off and fall down.

Very nice set up. I need portability...space is an issue that's why I looked at the Black and Decker. Maybe I'll build a solid permanent bench. Currently my garage is tight. Might have to reconfigure it. Thanks for all the replies. Everything helps. Frank

 

[boom boom]

I know that there are some fairly heavy plastic square made by Keter at Lowes or Home Depot that might serve your purpose. The one thing that would give it greater stability is having the proper leg placement and feet, weighing more, and being more square than rectangle. The Black and Decker uses legs like a TV dinner stand, is pretty rectangular, and is pretty light which is why I generally brace it against a wall or some other substantial backdrop

I also have a woodworking plans book that has a workbench that is shallow and mounted to a wall with a hinged worktsurface that folds out in order to minimize space. With proper bracing, that would be a pretty heavy duty solution. I am sure that you could find plans for something similar on the internet or some other folding type workbench surface. One other trick is to build a potting soil type bench outside which can double as a worksurface or even a wood picnic table can suffice. My reloading bench which is very heavy is made with polymer legs (2x4 basics is the brand name for these), 2x4's, deck screws, and heavy 3/4 inch plywood decking over the bracing Only straight cuts needed and it can be sized accordingly. Good luck, I am sure that you will find a solution that works and fits the space needed.

 

[2nd 41]

I know that there are some fairly heavy plastic square made by Keter at Lowes or Home Depot that might serve your purpose. The one thing that would give it greater stability is having the proper leg placement and feet, weighing more, and being more square than rectangle. The Black and Decker uses legs like a TV dinner stand, is pretty rectangular, and is pretty light which is why I generally brace it against a wall or some other substantial backdrop

I also have a woodworking plans book that has a workbench that is shallow and mounted to a wall with a hinged worktsurface that folds out in order to minimize space. With proper bracing, that would be a pretty heavy duty solution. I am sure that you could find plans for something similar on the internet or some other folding type workbench surface. One other trick is to build a potting soil type bench outside which can double as a worksurface or even a wood picnic table can suffice. My reloading bench which is very heavy is made with polymer legs (2x4 basics is the brand name for these), 2x4's, deck screws, and heavy 3/4 inch plywood decking over the bracing Only straight cuts needed and it can be sized accordingly. Good luck, I am sure that you will find a solution that works and fits the space needed.

I am currently using the 2x4 basics on a narrow bench for a 48" Taig lathe. Those legs are fabulous. I will think about using them for a work utility bench..thanks for
mentioning...totally forgot about them.

 

[loose noose]

I've had, and been using a very heavy Black & Decker "Workmate" for over 30+ years. It was made quite a few years ago as a matter of fact and bought brand new. I've used it in my garage for all kinds of projects, as well as mounting a 3/4" plywood top with a cutout to use as a shooting table. I just placed a small stool along side of it voila, it was as stable as any portable shooting bench I've ever had since. Mine is made of steel legs, and hardwood slabs that can screw in or out to a desired width. It weighs in at pretty close to 45#'s so along with the table top that I made with plywood goes well over 60#'s. I'm not sure if they even make this product any more, but it definitely was a bargain when I got it.

 

[Clark]

The Landis book on workbenches has a chapter on the workmate, but a lot has change in workmates since then. I have a semi old one made of stamped sheet metal, and am still looking for a cast Aluminum alloy workmate at garage sales. When I find steel ones, I buy them to give away. No one uses them as a work bench, but as a shooting bench, but at least they get used.

 

[2nd 41]

Hi everyone. I received and assembled the WM1000. it seems pretty sturdy and might accommodate the Tipton Vice. Anyway thank you for each reply. You were all very helpful. Happy New Year....feel good. Be safe.