So these are just a few shots of the boxes, packages, and assorted other items that used to reside on the dedicated work bench for my Indian Chief project. Since this is not really a bike forum, this particular adventure does not get all that much post time but, given the shear amount and weight that has accumulate on the existing bench, I figured it might be time to decommission what I had rigged up and fabricate a completely new bench in its place.
This is the hutch that I made at one point to sit on top of the old bench. It will remain as is and be put back onto the bench once it is assembled.
These are the main leg assemblies for the new bench. I chose to employ the same type of structure that I created for my primary work bench out in the shop. The material is 2x4's held together by 5/16ths x 5.5 inch capscrews. Once the cross ties are attached they will span around 36 inches and the frame will be 26 inches wide with a 36x 48 table top.
A couple of detail shots of the finished infrastructure. All the cross beams are secured in place using #8 deck screws. As it stands, there will be room below the table top for two shelves that will accept all the big and heavy components such as gas tanks and flywheels. Gets them out of harm's way and somewhere safe.
And here is the hutch, newly re-introduced to its brand-new bench top.
48 inches of bench top depth lets me center the hutch so that I have 16 inches of work-space on either side of it. Of course most of this new space is going to disappear under a mess of bits and pieces like it did before, that being the fate of most empty space in anyone's shop.
Turns out that my supposed 36 inches of width was actually an 1/8th under. No matter, the hutch gets centered both from front to back and from side to side. The sides are just enough to stash spray bombs of cleaners and degreasers along with some skinny trays for WTF's that tend to accumulate.
And finally, what it took to put it all together, mostly. My saw deck is out in the shop and needs some serious love from a vacuum before it is ready for its picture to be taken. Like most of my shop, it too is on wheels so I can move it around as needed and then return it back to its parking spot, out of the way until next time.
When my Dad was still alive the basement was the bane of my Mom's existence as He would often not head down to work on one of his projects until later in the evening. I can remember being in bed and going to sleep on many an evening with my lullaby being the thunder of the motor on his circular saw and the scream of the blade as it ripped its way through boards and panels.
He never got to see any of my work with metal and wood. Sometimes I wonder if he is sitting wherever and watching what I periodically dream up. Guaranteed that, if he could, he'd grumble about something., or not.
Nick
