[andyfromlyle]

I'll be building the bench and hardwood work top. Figure a nice 1 1/2" thick solid wood top securely mounted to the casework that's securely mounted to the floor and wall is the way to go.

All the responses in this thread have been extremely useful. It's easy to underestimate how important the basics are (screwdrivers and files). I'll be picking up every decent set of drivers, files, stones and punches I can find for a very long time.

[danf_fl]

Check out wood salvage yards.
I've pickup a counter top that already had formica on it. Formica does not absorb cleaning fluids or oils like wood.
Can be cut to length needed.
Got a couple of cheap cabinets and put the formica top on them.

[andyfromlyle]

Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure if a laminate top would be good or not. I'll go with a Formica top with a plywood core. I've got a few 5X12 sheets of Formica floating around I've been wanting to use. I've got a large section of my shop set aside for plywood, hardwood, laminate and cabinet hardware. This is the best use I can imagine for it.

[srtolly1]

Seems like most things are covered. I do a lot of hand fitting and making parts that can't be bought. I have a small vice that articulates with nylon jaws that is perfect for the small tasks like filing parts. Jewlers files. A 1" belt sanders, a small MIG or TIG welder.

[St8LineGunsmith]

tools have been covered pretty good short of mills and lathes
5" angle grinder and if you have an air compressor invest in a good die grinder and angle grinder.

you might want to think about getting a parkerizing outfit and a sand blasting cabinet for refinishing projects.
of course a barrel vise is always handy but not cheap.

[ktmboyz]

A nice small but stout brass mallet. Good for punches and stuff, and as mentioned LIGHT and more LIGHT.. maybe a reloading press

I also like to keep cans of air around to blow things out and dry slovents off. The small cans for computers you can pick up at wally world for like 4 bucks. Unless you have shop air in there.

[danf_fl]

Those remnants from that fancy indoor/outdoor rug she had you put down.

Works great on laminate bench tops.

[bearrwe]

Originally Posted by ktmboyz

A nice small but stout brass mallet. Good for punches and stuff, and as mentioned LIGHT and more LIGHT.. maybe a reloading press

I also like to keep cans of air around to blow things out and dry slovents off. The small cans for computers you can pick up at wally world for like 4 bucks. Unless you have shop air in there.

Sorry but from experience I must disagree with reloading equipment! If you have grinders and welders you have sparks, if you're reloading you have powder. If you have gun powder and sparks in the same location you have an unplanned home remodeling!

[St8LineGunsmith]

Ya you definitely do not want to store gunpowder and reloading supplies and equipment any where near any welding and grinding
reloading needs to be done in a spare bedroom in a smoke free environment.

reloading can be very dangerous even with practicing utmost caution.

[andyfromlyle]

I do plan on getting reloading equipment for my dad. It will go in his little room that he uses to store his spare gun parts and a small work bench he has. The grinder and spark producing tools will all go into the shop. No heat or smoke producing equipment will go in his or my work bench areas. So no unexpected home remodels for me I hope.

I hadn't thought about the pressurized air cans. I've gotten a couple cleaning kits, a punch set, a desk mountable magnifying glass with a built in light, lots of oil, cleaning patches and pulled out two vices I had in storage. In three weeks I'll be healed from a surgery I had done last Monday and I'll start building the cabinets and countertop. I'll post pictures as my work bench as it evolves.

Thanks again for all the great advice I've received on here.
Andy