15 replies to this topic

[Themolehole_9876]

Hey guys, now I am in the process of designing a new workbench especially for pyro to replace the current one I have now. I just running a quick survey on what you have and could suggest that i put in. So far ive got vice, hydraullic press, space for my mill and cupboards/ drawers for storage etc. Im open to any and every suggestion! Thanks Guys!

[littlejohny]

How about just a heavy metal bench that?s grounded, with cupboards underneath with a few shelves for storage, I don't think you need the vice though. You could go for something like a normal desk with a fairly large depth around 1metre.and space underneath for a chair.

[seymour]

A drying cabinet is worth consideration.

Edited by seymour, 04 June 2006 - 06:30 AM.

[fishy1]

How about just a heavy metal bench that?s grounded, with cupboards underneath with a few shelves for storage, I don't think you need the vice though. You could go for something like a normal desk with a fairly large depth around 1metre.and space underneath for a chair.

I think vices are good on a bench, I was using mine last night to hold my container while I made some black match.

[Karl]

I have two workbenches, both are made from 26mm thick Aircraft Ply. This is stuff can take anything, hold anything and is even ok to ram rockets on!

I have a small table under one workbench, this holds a box full of tubes & various Pyro items.
Under the other workbench is nothing apart from a Multi-Rocket Rack & a few Mortar Racks. I have been meaning to put some small coupards under there to save me from keeping my 'chems and other equipment on one of the benches.

Another good thing is, If you have a wooden frame in your 'Pyro Place', hammer some nails into it, this comes into handy if you need to hang something up for drying.

I also have two benches in my Shed. One is a metal vice, and makes a mess of tubes & stuff if you compress them too hard. The other is attached to one of my Pyro Benches, held on to the bench using Butterfly Clips for easy removel. And if you want to swap it to bench number two!

Get us some pics Themolehole_9876 so we can see how much space you have to play with

[adamw]

Tape dispenser and paper holder and cutter bar!

(although the official answer would be: only the bare essentials, preferably empty!)

[novacat14]

i keep gloves, and masks on my bench, i find it much better if i am always wearing at least some form of protection while working, also some anti static spray maybe, but i would say keep it empty and clear.

[littlejohny]

I suppose you don't really need that much workspace, just keep the one you got real clean. For some reason when I clean up my workspace it really motivates me. I think I might save up a little money and go and buy a second hand desk from a garage sale, roughly 1.5m x 1.0m. Add a few cabinets underneath at the back and a few on top that?s the reason for the large depth.

I still wouldn't have the vice, but thats my opinion I think it would get in the way too much.

[Phoenix]

Some kind of solid ramming base is well worth having, as it makes the process much faster and easier. It takes fewer blows to compact something if the bench underneath is really firm.

I built two short parallel walls of concrete blocks, and then cemented a big concrete paving slab on top. Once that was set in place, I cemented another slab on top of it to make a concrete tabletop about 12cm thick. It's completely unyielding, and a joy to ram on.

Edited by Phoenix, 05 June 2006 - 10:35 AM.

[Themolehole_9876]

Hey guys! Ive just uploaded up a plan of what i have so far... it doesnt have much... I have 2.2 metres wide, 0.7 metres deep and 0.79 metres high.

Heres the link for a quick drawing i knocked up,

http://img278.images...signs0023nv.jpg

thanks for the suggestions so far guys, keep it up! ill add and adjust to my design as I prepare.


Also im thinking of a hydraulic press on the left next to the ball mill?

Oh! and the reason why i have double sliding doors infront of the shelves is simply to save space as i have two cars parked right where they would open! so i cant have anything that opens too far out.

Edited by Themolehole_9876, 05 June 2006 - 12:52 PM.

[Themolehole_9876]

Guys! Well I cleaned it all up today, its pretty much empty and ready to start. Im thinking about what the best surface would be to use, I dont have much cash so I want cheap but good enough to handle itself. Im keeping the current frame and just wanna replace it with one flat surface. I thought of maybe 3cm MDF but then my mate reminded me it isnt waterproof then suggested chipboard but i dont think chipboard would be any good at all! Alwell any thoughts? Remember, Cheap lol Thanks Guys

[Jerronimo]

For a cheap solution I would use veneered/plastified (white) chipboard, the same stuff they use for cupboards and cabinets.
Just cut it to size and you're done.
I don't know the situation in the UK, but it's probably available at the large DIY stores.

[adamw]

Not so sure the 'drying tray' being positioned where you are sat is a good idea. What if the substance you were working with caught fire - and some drying stars were in the drawer underneath. Things should preferably be dried in a completely seperate cabinet, outdoors even better.

[Karl]

Alwell any thoughts? Remember, Cheap lol Thanks Guys

As I said, I used 26mm thick Aircraft ply and its as solid as you will get apart from concrete!

But that is probably going to be too expensive. I used MDF once for a workbench, I think it was 3/4" thick. It did the job, and I still have it , just not used anymore.

Try coating it with varnish or something before you use it. It will aid it to be waterproof and make it easier to clear up mess.