DIY tuning bench

I decided a while ago; and committed after seeing some of the awesome set-ups a few of you posted in the 'post yer workbech' thread, to build a tuning bench. I have a perfect space in my basement in a room that holds most our outdoor gear. With my wife and 2 kids now skiing, plus my small quiver, it makes sense to stop farming out the work of maintenance. I have much to learn, but a few local friends and of course Epic will prove invaluable. TIA...

My idea was a bench 8' long and utilizing some things I had around the house. I also wanted a taller work surface so I would not be bending over (I have some back issues); the benchtop is 40".

I have average woodwrking skills and most of the required tools. I spent $114 on lumber and screws. It could have been a lot less, but I splurged on a nice sheet of 3/4 Birch plywood ($42). I found the grain I liked about 5 sheets in...

I hauled the lumber home today - it was a perfect fall day. Sunshine and 50 something. I cut and laid out most of the parts in my driveway.

The concept had a few key paremters:
1. High working surface
2. Lighted working surface
3. Room enough for any size skis
4. Organized storage

I sketched it out in a hotel room on a business trip:


Getting the lumber home (Lowes ripped the 4x8 in half for me):


Preparing the pieces:


The benchtop would provide the structure and 'core' strength of the whole shebang. laying out the 2' x 8' benchtop:


Framing the benchtop:


More framing:


Attaching the plywood to the frame. All screws in this project:


I built the legs ahead of time as well. Getting the assembled unit into my basement would have been a real chore, it's very heavy and quite large so I assembled it near its final position:


I had the wooden boxes from my days of modeling (similar bench). They were bought at IKEA in the UK about 10 years ago. The drawers simply pull completely out; no need to stand on a stool to see into them. They should be perfect for waxes, files, stones, etc. I even have one deep drawer for the iron:


Phase 1 is complete:


The final product isn't too far off of the original sketch. I need one more piece of ply for the lower storage shelf. I'll stain it with a polyurethane and add a 4' light strip under the storage boxes. I've aleardy got the vise and I am slowly obtaining all the other goodies to keep my skis in a well deserved state of tune.

Now just top it off with a good set of vises .. and per a recent thread, add a "rain gutter" to catch the shavings that will end up all over the floor. I would also add an insulated/metal tray or someplace to park that waxing iron.

If you have only one boot size to deal with, some have fashioned a mock sole to click in and get the brake out of the way ... if not, a good supply or real heavy rubber bands will do the trick but buy a real big box at Staples ... they pop anyway.

When you say ..... "already got the vise" .... I hope you don't mean one of those Home Depot large general type. I bought the best one they had and it was a major mistake. It's real diffucult to get a ski to stay steady and despite duct tape to make it conform, if it ain't out of the package, take it back and get a real pair from Reliable Racing or Tongar.

Hey great job.....I thought of making something like that but was just too lazy.

good work. There are some good vises out there to add.

That thing is heavy duty. You could tune a tank on it.

I just built my bench yesterday myself. It was either that or watch the Lions.

But what edge bevel?

Thanks for the comments. Please keep them coming! I picked up a Ski Man Pro vise which appears to have 40 different names, depending on who you buy it from. It should be more than adequate for my home use needs. The gutter concept is something I have considered. Perhaps something like flaps on a wing; a there when I need it arrangement. Drawer slides, like pan drawers in a kitchen, are awesome. I just don't see the need for them at this point. Whaterver I need to store that is larger will reside on the lower shelf.

It is a bit over engineered. Tanks!

T-Track.


So worth it.

Mark,
nice!!!! We are going to build ours this weekend I think. Painted the room Rossignol Orange and added 3 4' shop lights and all the wiring(room just had a 40watt bulb on a pull cord before). I just got done cleaning the floor to do the expoy garage floor stuff.

Looks good. Let me know if you need any help on what to buy as far as files and stuff.

More progress, but slow...

I spent a few hours this afternoon wiring the bench for outlets and a light.

Live wire in:


The switch controls the light, outlet is always hot:


other end:


Mounting the light:


Let there be light:


Test fitting the vises:


More to do, just time and money...I seem to be running out of both. At least I saw genuine snowflakes tonight!

why just the two outlets and why at the ends?

Mighty nice..good job.

needs more outlets. Like 6 or so

I can't see needing more that 3 at a time. No real reason for the ends; just where they ended up.

Two words.. Power Strips Seriously, how many outlets do you need to tune skis? Maybe two irons, a charger for power tool batteries, and a blender for margaritas? It isn't like there's no other electricity in the room ... is it? I'd not want too many outlets around somewhere where I might be spraying lots of water, WD 40, goo gone, etc..

Nice work Traps, looks good and very functional

Power strips? REALLY??? One would go through all the work to make a kick ass bench then add in $4.99 power strips? Come on. Also, one outlet for power of the audio system, one for TV, 2 for boot dryers. They come in handy.

And why are you sprayin water on a ski tuning bench? The snow is supposed to be water injected not the ski.



Trapps, did you check and make sure that the iron will make it down a 186cm ski with your outlet placement? Seems like it would be close with the winterstiger iron. I wish i would have moved one of my outlets about 6" closer to the middle.

Good catch, cord is too short to reach ends of longer sticks...

Afterthought = receptalce near light for iron duty.

At the rate I am going, it'll be done by March. 2010.

I highly suggest an overhead or high mounted outlet if possible, its great for keeping the iron cord out of the way.

Very cool. Functional, clean and durable. Can't ask for too much more than that. The level of detail is nice with the wiring etc. You should be proud.

If you do roto-brush polishing then a spray bottle of water to mist the skis is a given. The amount of water is not major, but between the wax drippings, possible spillage and knocking over something like wax cleaner, or other liquid products, I'd never go for a plain wood topped bench. Either a sheet of formica counter top, or at least some polyurethane or similar coating is a must.

Good work and thanks for the tips and pics, Made one this arvo, should keep the wife happy now there no wax inside!