Diary of a Man Cave

Secret Squirrel said:
Also take a look at these folks at Sturdy Safe

www.sturdysafe.com

American Gun Safes & Vault Doors! Affordably Higher Security

Sturdy Gun Safe manufactures gun safes, pistol safes and vault doors sold direct at discounted pricing. Thicker steel, real fireproofing and custom options, for less!
www.sturdysafe.com www.sturdysafe.com
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Yikes. They're "proud" of their safes, eh? About double the price of Liberty.
I'm sure they're worth it... quality is there. But I have to balance budget vs value.
 
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It was time I got a real vise! I just finished bolting'er down. 4-1/2" vise. It weighs in at 40 lbs.

$130 at the local Harbor Freight. Got the last one in stock!

Vise.jpg
Vise-2.jpg


I've been using this to hold my frames while working on them.
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But I didn't bolt it to the bench. I like being able to reposition and spin it around on the bench or table-top. But it's not good for holding things dead-still while applying any kind of real pressure and working with both hands.... like trying to drift a rear sight!

1737814585922.png


But now I have a "real" vise, too! A "third hand" to hold things rock solid. In the process of researching vises, I learned there is a WIDE range of quality and price! I think the Doyle vise from Harbor Freight falls into that "Goldilocks" zone of quality and value.
 
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Finally got around to putting up some magnetic tool strips. This man cave is a mess! I need some cabinets next.

Wall-magnets.jpg
 
A good vise is so central to a project bench, let alone a small “shop”. Good job!

Feiw- the drill press/table vise is also very important.
 
OK... I'm looking for a rolling tool cabinet with drawers like this....

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That will fit under my bench. My bench is a sit-down affair, and it has 28 inches of clearance under it. Pretty much everything I'm finding with an online search is designed to fit under a high bench, and they're usually 34 inches or more tall /high.

I could go without the rollers, if necessary. But I want something that will fit UNDER the bench. Anyone got any ideas or leads? Thanks!
 
Racer88 said:
...they're usually 34 inches or more tall /high.

I could go without the rollers, if necessary. But I want something that will fit UNDER the bench.
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Maybe find a pair that will stack to achieve the height? Middle tool box styles (ie: no top lid or wheels and meant to stack).
I don't know why you would need rollers and it would be an added expense/reduction in storage space. I can see putting some glides underneath to save your floor. And don't forget to leave room for your legs when sitting...
 
Racer88 said:
OK... I'm looking for a rolling tool cabinet with drawers like this....

View attachment 28502

That will fit under my bench. My bench is a sit-down affair, and it has 28 inches of clearance under it. Pretty much everything I'm finding with an online search is designed to fit under a high bench, and they're usually 34 inches or more tall /high.

I could go without the rollers, if necessary. But I want something that will fit UNDER the bench. Anyone got any ideas or leads? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Home Despot has a bunch of tool cabinets like that on sale. Craftsman and Husky. They seem pretty sturdy. Last time I moved I sold all my tool cabinets from Harbor Freight. They didnt hold up well. I didn't want to pay to move them.

I dont think you will find a roller that short. But there is an answer. Buy the top cabinet that they make for stacking on the rollers and put casters on it. They are generally around 20-24 inches high. Two inch casters... you are good to go.

Screenshot 2025-01-26 at 2.40.37 PM.png
 
Replace with smaller cast
Can you just remove top drawer and reattach top/cap for correct height? Plasma cutter and pop rivets
 
Found one. Just had to remove the casters so it would fit under the bench. Cleared it by 1/4"! Grabbed it at Lowe's for $159 minus 10% veteran's discount.

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www.lowes.com

So I was able to finally declutter my main workbench! I've still got a long way to go. Some wall cabinets would help. But THIS side of the man cave is looking much better! I'm not going to post a photo of the other side... YET! LOL

20250126_155711.jpg
 
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You could also improvise with removing those caster and setting the box on a set of lo-profile refrigerator rollers?
 
Heck... with a cleared workbench, I might be inspired to do another build!

Inspired Jason Sudeikis GIF by Apple TV


Though, I've got two existing builds that still need tweaking to get running perfectly.
 
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Racer88 said:
Heck... with a cleared workbench, I might be inspired to do another build!

Though, I've got two existing builds that still need tweaking to get running perfectly.
Click to expand...

Sometimes a "new" project will give you a better perspective on an old project... :)
 
Dang! I try but I can't keep my benches that clean. With several project going at the same time, not all firearm builds.
Looks like an awesome workspace.
 

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