Bowling Alley Workbench

Very nice workbench.
Say thank you to your friend!

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Wow, very interesting and certainly gorgeous bench. What did you make the legs out of?

I want one!

-- Bob A in NJ

Bob A,
I laminated 4/4 Maple together, 3 pieces thick for the legs and 2 thick for the stringers.

-- Passion4Wood, Augusta GA.

Wow, Nice job. Where can I find some of that stuff…............LOL

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

Nice bench simple and uasable. But your shop is way to clean, you need some sawdust on the floor and tools laying around to make it look like you work in there, lol… Great job am am sure that it will serve you well.

-- We are the people our parents warned us about.

Dude, is that an operating suite, or a wood shop? Nice shop..I bet he just cleaned it up real pretty for the photo op! I love the workbench..I really like the way you left the alley marks in it! Nice work!

-- David, South Windsor, CT "I love the smell of sawdust in the morning"

I made one out of “alley” stock too. Mine had unfortunately spent quite a few years in a leaky shed so it had to be “halved” (sorry, old Texas word or is that Texan?) to get rid of the rotted part. Still, I was really pleased with the outcome. Then I found another project for the maple so I replaced it with plywood.

I would post a pix but after seeing this shop, I would be “banned for life” from LJ. I could not have that! Beside, my wife will not let me out of the house with a camera.

Looks terrific.

-- jstegall

Very nice touch with the walnut trim. Very useful and a neat conversation piece. Now all you need to do is lathe out and paint some miniature bowling pins as bench dogs.

-- Mike, Waukesha, WI

Kids might mistake it for a game table and do a little bowling. (a few plastic bottles and a nerf ball.) I love it and it’s such a cool design. Not your typical bench. Thanks for the post. These kind of projects inspire the junior woodworkers and draw them in.

-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.

looks good. so you left the entire width of the bowling alley huh? how wide is the bench? ~48”?

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

Very nice. The trim and vice realy frame it well!

-- Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines! Mike D.

tht shops is way to clean…..and that bench you made Looks beatiful I wouldnt want to be using it as a work bench…maybe to show off some pieces…lol

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

PurpLev,
I cut about 4” from each side due to damage and I cut about 2’ off of the end due to water damage so it ended up about 7’ long X 40” wide. I found out quickly that a bowling alley has a ton of nails embedded.

-- Passion4Wood, Augusta GA.

yeah, lots of nails… been there done that, no fun unless you know how to tackle in properly. looks like you’ve got that nailed down though (pun intended! ;) ).

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

That’s just gorgeous. Great job.

-- Premium firewood created daily.

Love the bench top. Very nice.

-- pcguy http://www.simplepctalk.com

I love the creativity and repurposing of some great old lumber. Great work. Looks like you sized the thing to be practical for real-world use. If my shop were bigger I would have made mine a foot wider too. Nice job, a work of art!

Jerry

-- Jerry, "Some people are like Slinkies, They aren't good for much of anything, but they put a grin on your face when you push them down a flight of stairs"

That bench is awesome! My father-in-law would love that…big bowler.
What kind of floor covering is that? Looks nice?

Scott

Great bench. I love that the arrows are still there.

I agree with all those who have criticized your shop for its lack of clutter. You’re making the rest of us look bad.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

nice bench. i have one made out of an ally and don’t know why more benches aren’t made out of old bowling alleys.

-- PAPLOU

Thats a nice bench, and one seriously clean shop!

classy!

i also like your shop – more pics please. i like what you’ve done with teh staircase.

That is a beautiful bench! You obviously have an artists eye. Thanks for sharing it with us.

-- So much wood, So little time

Brad_Nailor,
I promise the shop does not stay that clean. I’ll try to post some pics of it the way it usually looks. LOL

-- Passion4Wood, Augusta GA.

Nice bench…....one of the main criteria for bowling alley use is a cold brew…......but not in a shop environment.
I recently spent time in a hospital and the floors weren’t as clean as your shop!!! You must have one heck of a dust collecting system.

-- Doug, New Mexico.......the only stupid question is one that is never asked!........don't fix it, if it ain't broke!

I have a several pieces of synthetic bowling lane that I don’t need. The problem is that it is far too big and heavy to ship. However, if someone wanted to come get some I’d be happy to let it go for free. Feel free to PM me if you are interested.

That would make a fun and unique coffee table. (It’ll be a bit of pity when you inevitably bang up the top…)

You just bowled a 300….sweet bench.

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.

Super Cool Bench & nice & big.

Man, my shop has NEVER been that clean, ever, ever!!!

-- Eric

OK, I went back & looked again, and I’m positive that my shop has never been that clean!

-- Eric

Now THAT is a workbench with “character.” Very nice.

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Not only is it a nice looking bench. It is the appropriate size. I have a 42×64 table top and it is great for assembling furniture. Great Job

Nice workbench!

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Great looking bench. You guys and your bowling alley scores are making me jealous!

-- James - What's your excuse this time??

I love the bench. Once upon a time, I was an avid bowler. Almost makes me want to get the ole bowling equipment out. Very cool indeed!

-- Doug, Cass City, Michigan

truly unique…i think it would have made an awesome coffee table or bar top…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Sweet bench, Table saw and shop…....very well done.

-- I will just keep doing it till I get it right.

cool bench

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Great job: I love mine. I finished it about 3 years ago.

Nice looking job.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Passion4Wood,

I echo everyone’s sentiments. You did a great job and have a unique woodworking bench. It also did my heart good to see the Shopsmith in the background, along with your Powermatic tools.

That is great! I’m still working on de-laminating all the pieces, I’ve got about 5 lbs of nails already! Nice looking bench!

-- Ryno