Two views of how I arranged tools in the top drawer of the bench. The trays are all removable, if needed. The tray with the vernier caliper slides from side to side. The trays are constructed with small dimensional lumber purchased at the hobby store. Unfortunately, none of the drawers are self supporting, so in order to reach tools in the back, the drawer must be removed entirely. Not too much of a concern as I try to put the least used tools in the back.

Meanwhile, the work goes on, on the other drawers.

"Til next time, John

Bench Modification continues

At the end of the last post, I said something about putting together some jewelry. Well. the intentions were good but, I got side tracked. Again. So, what have I been doing? Well, the great bench improvement saga continues to creep along. I've been making removable wooden trays to fit into the bench drawers to hold the various and most used tools. It has been fun and a pain at the same time. Trying to figure out where to put what, and what works best this way or that. Trying to conserve space while at the same time make the tools easily accessible. nd, of course, me being me, I made some mistakes. Progress, however slow, is being made. The top drawer of the bench is almost complete and I'll post a picture of it later in the week.

All for now, John

Beading Board, Underside, and Ready to Use

Set up for work. Plier rack rests on bottom drawer of the bench. I think it's pretty handy that way.
This is the underside of the Beading Board..

Beading Board

Well, here it is, just as about as complete as possible. It's pretty rough, but that's o.k. All scrap and salvage. I am thinking of an addition of another shallow tray in back to hold cut pieces of wire. Ran out of wood, again. As you can see, the gizmo fits into the bench catch tray. Feet underneath. The whole thing is supposed to be level. Come to find out, the catch tray bottom isn't exactly square with the world! The cups were salvaged from grocery store product demos. Stores sometimes are promoting some kind of snack food, so there's hardly ever any need to clean them. Just knock out the crumbs. Beading pad located in the center of the board. In the back left corner of the tray is a top off of a spray can that holds a piece scrubbie pad to polish up the wire. It stays in place by a small magnet. Also stored in the catch tray, good old empty (well, partially empty), Altoids mint tins, one each for scraps of fine silver, sterling silver, copper, and two kinds of brass.

The plier rack will rest on the bottom bench drawer.

On the front of the bench catch tray, I've marked out some measurements for cutting ye olde wire to length.

Bench Modification continues

The modification for the next few days will be a removable wirework/beading board to fit into the bench catch tray. It will fit down into the catch tray, clearing the pull-out shelf rail. Two slots on either side of the board will hold sections from and old aluminum muffin tin that I've cut apart. Those will hold the beads for any project I will be working on. In the center, a frame for the bead mat. The whole thing will be a little rough, but it will work.

The new bench pin is great. Now, all that's needed for sawing is some provision for the block of beeswax, and a place for a brush to clear away the accumulating debris from sawing. Got to see the line!

Did some work on a mount for the little one inch jaw vise. I also will need to make a mount for the larger Panavise. Both mounts will need to be compatible with one another to avoid drilling unnecessary holes. Got to get more T-Nuts! Whee, the excitement goes on! Someday, yes, I will try to post some pics.