Better Bench project

[iriponsnow]

Set out to improve my skill tuning this summer and quickly realized that my 20+ year Swix travel bench was just not delivering what I was looking for. Key issues were wobble & overall challenge keeping the workspace clean and organized. After thinking on it for far too long, I decided to improve upon the design of the basement set up.

OG for perspective:



Enlisted some help & decided to get to work:



Here’s the base 2x8 that would become the platform. Decided that the issue of wax and sharpening debris was to be addressed. Secondary goal was to increase stabilization. Now I have no skills, so this handiwork was outsourced after the purchase of a $10 piece of lumber from our local hardware store:



Thoughts were that the traditional vices upon the edge design only resulted in a waterfall of shavings on self and the flooring, in addition to excessive play in the tuning bench. By notching the board, I could recess the Ski Man clamps and build a through to facilitate efficient shop vac’n. Using industrial shelving brackets and 3” decking screws- the entire board is anchored every six inches to the front of an existing work station. Also added a 1000 lumen work light for increase visualization:


^$19 from Home Depot

Covered the board with bedazzled duct tape, so that when the setup gets gunked up, we can just peal the ‘liner’ instead of scraping /sanding the wood down. Last added 1” pipe insulation as a bumper to contain debris:



Finished (for now) concept:



Wicked stable & a breeze to hit with the shop vac for 10 seconds to wrap up the clean. 2 sets of notches permit LBD / Slalom / kiddo sized skis.

Thoughts / Comments?

[stealurface831]

strong work, i say. the duct tape is a great idea. i'll definitely incorporate that when the time comes to build a permanent work station.