Workbench comes together faster than a speeding bullet

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/07/2020 (2011 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Throughout the years my typical renovation and construction jobs have included decks, bathrooms, kitchens, basements and additions. On occasion, however, some requests stand out from the rest, and this fun project will not soon be forgotten.

A music industry colleague and friend of mine has become interested in competitive shooting. To manage the costs associated with his new hobby he recently bought a bullet press to make his own bullets. This rather bulky apparatus weighs about 80 pounds and the manual action of pulling the lever down to load the empty shells to make a bullet requires a sturdy and solid workbench. Over and above supporting the weight of the press, the workbench must also withstand the repetitive rigors of the bullet-making process.

Keeping these requirements in mind, the minimum countertop dimensions would be 16 by 20 inches, and a remnant of bamboo counter used for another project would suffice. The legs and frame below would be constructed from spruce 2x4s, the most economical type of lumber for this purpose. To increase stability eight 34.5-inch sections were cut. Four legs were then pre-built in an L-shape. Next, two rectangular frames were created with dimensions that allow a half-inch inset around the entire perimeter below the counter. The legs were first fastened to the frame which is directly below the countertop, and the second frame is fastened roughly 12-inches from the ground. With the four legs and inner support framing fastened and rigid, the bamboo countertop was then affixed to the leg framework by using 3.5-inch screws through the bottom of the upper rectangular frame and into the underside of the countertop. All edges were then sanded using an electric palm sander.

It was most convenient to build this little workbench offsite, one evening after having worked at a current jobsite. And it wasn’t until roughly a week later that I delivered the press-bench. A pair of 3/4-inch spacers were created to lift the press slightly off the surface, providing enough clearance for the small cannister used in the bullet-making process. The apparatus was then permanently secured to the bamboo countertop with 2.5-inch TimberLok lag screws.

During that same visit, the closet space was fitted with seven shelves per side, and two longer shelves along the back wall. The pre-determined shelf lengths were also pre-cut offsite to shorten the installation process. Within an hour or so, the room was ready to be converted into a functional space that satisfies my friend’s competitive shooting needs.

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