So I know all of us have some type of workbench, some simple and some real elaborate ones. After putting an optic on an sig slide and chasing little black screws on the black AR matt I had enough. Marked of an 18”x 35” area and applied some sealer primer I had and cut a piece of shelf liner from GOD know where. When I get a router will put a small v groove around the border to stop them when they decide to roll for cover.
What have you done to make your bench more user friendly
Drill or stick a magnet strip in near the edge of the workspace. Place screws and other small bits on it as you’re doing things.
The router is a fantastic idea. Just make sure it’s big enough that you can actually get the parts out of the channel you create.
Two things I would want to improve on my gunsmithing/reloading bench is better lighting (not blinding lighting) and a vise.
I love these ideas. My bench is a disaster. It’s just a black towel stapled down. There was another thread somewhere in here about this. Lots of people show their storage ideas and other things.
Was thinking maybe 1/8 inch deep. Not much just enough to stop the roll
I have different size magnetic trays I use. Really don’t want anything raised as I do use it at times for larger wooo projects.
Great idea though.
Well, you could use the router to dig in a channel to lay it in if it being raised is the issue. Just spitballing.
Magnet strips on pegboards are also great for storing all the little annoying tools you use for gunsmithing, like punches, files, Glock sight tools, Allen and hex wrenches, etc.
A vise and blocks is definitely a must have as well.
Here’s mine. The computer is gone, I use an IPad now instead. I also just picked up a really nice Kennedy machinist’s top box that is wider than the standard Kennedy box with extra drawers. That will greatly help with tool organizing as well as small AR parts storage.
I’ll get some pictures when that is all set up…the box was free.
A bigger beer fridge and a more comfortable stool. And maybe a few hundred more square feet 
That’s very nice
I bought the Harbor Freight good wood bench, on sale, and it is solid. No more using my plyo boxes.
Highly recommended. Solid laminated wood.
I am designing a portable bench in a box. When done, will posted plans.
2X14’ bench w 3 vanity drawers and doors l picked years ago to do this bench. With roller drawers and French hinges. 3/4" CDX and covered that with leftover lament flooring.
Recently added the Wilton bullet and diamond plate rubber mat. Vises are 6’ apart. 3; 4’ led fixtures light up the bench and built angle iron mounts for them instead of chain hung…the wind when the roll up door is open, couldn’t stand the swinging lights!
Late idea for a work bench top. I had to order a custom cut slab of HDPE (unrelated to a workbench) from Home Depot and it is perfect. It’s like a big cutting board. Super resilient to impact and chemicals, slick, and not terribly expensive. If you have a wood top that isn’t in great shape or you want to be a seamless piece of material, consider it.
