Tuesday, January 3, 2012

DIY Wednesday: Jeweler's Bench

As I mentioned in my "Craft Room Evolution" post, I have a new DIY project.
Today I'm bringing you my brand new DIY Jeweler's Bench! 
EEP! I'm so excited! 


I have been needing an upgrade in my craft room, because trying to solder and complete metal smithing techniques on a plastic utility table is no bueno!
Sooo, I began searching for a good jeweler's bench and nearly lost my cookies at the prices! They were so expensive, and didn't seem to be very well-made or sturdy.
So I began searching for DIY options and came across this AMAZING tutorial called Frankenbench.
So I began scouring Craigslist <<Oh Craigslist...how I love thee!>> for a "solid wood desk" and found this gem. 
Solid wood, super sturdy...it was perfect!
For the project I called in the BIG GUNS aka my hubby and father-in-law.  They were definitely more skilled with the power tools than I, so I was super grateful for all of their help.
Here is the desk after the riser had been finished.  This was before it was attached with the L-brackets, as we still had to put the plywood down on top of the drawer area.
The next step was to make the ellipsoid cutout from the middle of the desktop.  To do this we used the tack and string technique.  You put a tack in, and tie some string around it, then allow it to guide the pencil in a perfect half circle shape.
Since I wanted my cutout to be a little bit deeper than wider, we dimply moved the tack about 3" in, then did the tracing again to get our ellipsoid.  This is explained super well in the Frankenbench tutorial.
Time to cut!  We used a handheld scroll saw.  It was so loud!
Next up was sanding, and I am a pro at this.  I even got to use my father-in-law's "Mouse" sander.  It was so easy, and AWESOME.  I want one!
Here you get to see the overseer of the project...little miss Mango making sure Mama is on-task!
Next up was to remove the top (it wasn't attached yet) and put down the plywood to cover up the drawers and add a storage space under the desktop.
And then to attach the top using L-Brackets:
Justin then used the Miter Saw to make my File Holders:
It was set so that it would not go all the way through the wood:

Here it is all set up in the craft room!
As you can see we added a plier holder using a bent metal bracket. 
 We also put up pegboard to hold all of my tools
  Here is the file holder all attached (still need to put the rest of my files in there)
 Some more views: 

You can see that middle drawer in this picture.  We cut it down so that it wouldn't be sticking out into my work area.
I AM BEYOND ECSTATIC!
The total cost of this project was $85 for everything, screws, wood, desk, EVERYTHING, including the pegboard!
AND
don't forget to enter my giveaway for some amazing <<AND FREE>> DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING SOFTWARE!
Giveaway ends 1/12 at 12:01a.m. CST
PARTYING ON THESE FABULOUS BLOGS!
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35 COMMENTS:

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said... Best Blogger Tips

WOW!! What great organization! I am impressed! And your tip for drawing a circle is genius! Thanks for linking up to Oopsey Daisy!! XOXO

Powpourri said... Best Blogger Tips

This is such an amazing project! I feel like such a looser right now as I am struggling a bit to reupholster this chair I am working on! Great job!

Cassie Bustamante said... Best Blogger Tips

that is so awesome! what a fabulous area to work in!

robin rouch said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow, wow, wow!! What an AWESOME work desk!! I LOVE that you made it happen with an old used desk, and called in your 'big guns' to do all the many details of making your idea work! I am so interested in getting involved with the next step up of jewelry making, and can see how an area, assigned to just that, would be a huge help! Thanks so much for sharing your great pictures...kudos to you, your hubby & your FIL... awesome job!!

Viva Cindy said... Best Blogger Tips

LOVE it! I am also a jewelry designer and would love a work space like this. I am constantly stalking Craigslist anyway so i should add wood desk to my list!
problem is my studio also has to be hubbys office and guest room:( may not be able to fit this size desk. Yours is awesome!
cindy

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@Alison @ Oopsey Daisy Oh thank you so much!

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@Sweet Harvey LLCOh my goodness don't you dare say that! Keep at it...you'll get it done and it will look fabulous!

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@robin rouch Thank you!!

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@VivaCindyDefinitely keep stalking Craigslist...there were so many on there when I looked, and all different sizes so you can find one that works for your co-workspace :) Thank you so much!

Katie said... Best Blogger Tips

Amazing! You should join me in Handmade 52! http://raisingoranges.blogspot.com/2012/01/handmade-52.html

Katy said... Best Blogger Tips

How awesome is this!!! Great job by all! Sure would like one.
I'm a canine mom too!

Is said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Maureen, stopping by from Simply Designing link party. Of course you should be excited to have that amazing jeweler's bench! I'm openmouthed! :)
Greetings from Spain

Gayle Page-Robak said... Best Blogger Tips

As someone who also designs and creates jewelry I was really interested in your project. Is your work station something you designed yourself or had you seen one created previously? I hope you enjoy many hours enjoying your new jewelry making spot. I am now a follower of your blog and look forward to return visits. I invite you to join me as well at http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com Hugs, Gayle.

Mindi said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh my gosh Maureen! That is so awesome!!! I love that TMNT shirt by the way :D

Hani said... Best Blogger Tips

wow.. This is fabulous.. Love the idea! I am going to feature this on Friday.. be sure to check it out..
Thanks for linking
Love
Hani :)

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@KatieLinked up!

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@KatySearch Craigslist and do your own! Seriously, it was quite simple and inexpensive!

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@IsThank you so very much!!

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@MindiThank you! That's one of my favorite shirts :D
Cannot wait for you to get to TX!

Maureen said... Best Blogger Tips

@Hani@CraftionaryOh wow! Thank you...I'll be sure to stop by to thank you some more on Friday!

Barbara Pilcher said... Best Blogger Tips

Beautiful. This has my head swimming about how I could create something similar.

I found you on Handy Man Crafty Woman.

The Charm of Home said... Best Blogger Tips

Fantastic! What a great workroom! Thank you for linking it to Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Chris said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Maureen, your jewelry making desk is to die for. When I make my jewelry I end up sometimes in front of the TV, other times at the computer, never where I should be, in a properly appointed place, LOL I can imagine just how happy you will be when you create. Thanks for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

Judi said... Best Blogger Tips

Inspiring project! And the storage for the files and tools is genius! TFS!

Michelle~Sugar House Creations said... Best Blogger Tips

Ah, reminds me of my days as a repair jeweler. I went to a small art school and then worked for Sterling Inc for about five years. I bought a bench early on and spent way more than you did, lol. One thing you did though, about making the drawer shorter. Benches actually come with a drawer that you slide out and catch your scraps/gold dust, etc. It also helps save your pants if you drop something hot, like your torch. :-) Super impressed with your desk to bench makeover. :-)

Karen A. Rose said... Best Blogger Tips
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Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Absolutely love this, and you posted at just the right time! My husband is currently working with me to redo my shop space. Thank you!!

~christy
www.christylsalas.blogspot.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Absolutely love this, and you posted at just the right time! My husband is currently working with me to redo my shop space. Thank you!!

~christy
www.christylsalas.blogspot.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

This is exactly what I was looking for, great post and the pictures are a great help. You are awesome. Thanks!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Jewelry has always played a vital role in lending confidence and beauty to the human body. It has been considered as the display of wealth and good taste since time immemorial.

http://www.stgeorgejewelers.com

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

You are so lucky to have 2 skilled people to help you! I'm pretty hand, but I have my limits. How did you get the desk top off the desk?

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

I came across your Frankinbench recently and now I'm building muscle own. Thanks for the inspiration! ♡

Frida said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for this great idea. Im building my own, I have the bench, but I haven't started yet. :) https://fridayfridablog.wordpress.com/2016/09/26/jewellers-frankenbench/

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you for the inspiration. I worked in the jewellery trade many years ago and have recently been toying with the idea of getting back into it for myself. With the set up costs being so high, this is an excellent alternative and I can make a bespoke bench to suite my own preferences. I already have my eye on a £15 desk on eBay so will hopefully be making my own bench very soon.

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