A gun bench is like a snowflake, and each one is unique. Some setups are inherently more efficient, but other choices can come down to simple personal preference. Here, we will consider what you should have on your gun bench and how best to set it up. After all, your tools won’t do you much good if you aren’t able to access them or keep track of them as needed. Check out our suggestions on a gun bench setup, along with a few tips and tricks to help you prioritize tools and supplies.
How do you choose a gun bench?
Figuring out your setup won’t do much good if you don’t have the right platform. It’s possible to build your own rugged, heavy-duty gun bench, but it does tend to be simpler to get one already made. Either way, features to look for in a well-made gun bench might include:
- Heavy and Sturdy
- Non-marring work surface to protect firearms
- Greater length than depth because you need room to maneuver and for tool and device storage
- A thick top suitable for clamping or bolting a vise and/or drill press to
- Sturdy enough to handle significant weight
- Lower shelf/ledge at the base for added stability and storage space
Things that are nice but not necessarily a must:
- Built-in power outlets
- Integrated lights
- Pegboard or other useful back piece for hanging and sorting tools
- Drawers
- Raised sides and back to prevent objects from sliding or rolling off (just make sure it doesn’t interfere with mounting heavier tools to the top)
- Adjustable, locking leg height
- Shelf for storing manuals and gunsmith books
Choosing a bench starts with making sure it’s rugged and reliable. After that, you can pick and choose the features you feel are necessary. Ideally, you’ll be able to get a workbench that allows for growth as your needs change. You also shouldn’t dismiss the idea of keeping all your gunsmith tools stored on or in the bench itself because it is handy and the simplest storage method.
What tools should be on your gun bench?
We’re not listing these in order of priority, but you should consider all mentioned in your gun bench setup. You might add other items for specialty work or specific platforms but here’s what we’d suggest on a basic setup:
- Vise
- Drill press
- Magnetic gunsmith screwdrivers and bit sets
- Allen/hex keys in a variety of sizes
- Torx/star keys in a variety of sizes
- Two-sided hammer with a non-marring end
- Steel gunsmithing hammer for use with steel punches
- Files
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Punches in aluminum, brass, and plastic
- Gun mat
- Vise block (platform-specific)
- Torque wrench
- AR armorer’s wrench that fits your guns or the gun you’re building
- Loctite
- Anti-seize
- Lubricant
- CLP or other cleaning fluids
- Cleaning swabs and brushes
- Bore brushes (of the correct size for the calibers or gauges)
- Spare screws, springs, and detents
- Bench block
- Sight pusher and level
- Bore light
- Bore scope
How do you set up a gun bench?
It might sound obvious, but first, consider whether you’re right or left-handed. Placement of tools and larger pieces of equipment can be affected by which is your dominant side. With that in mind, this basic layout is targeted at right-handed gun owners, so consider switching it around if you’re a “lefty.” We’re also making these suggestions based on the notion that you’re a gun owner interested in some general projects like building an AR, cleaning guns, and/or installing customizations. Keep in mind that this isn’t a reloading setup.
On my bench, the drill press is bolted to the gun bench at the far left end because the drill press is tall and requires room on more than one side, and the right side of my bench is far more limited in space. Consider these things when setting up your bench. Specifically, how much space you need to maneuver for a specific piece of equipment, and how often will you use it. The other large piece of equipment on my bench is a heavy-duty vise mounted near the right end. Both the drill press and the vise are bolted in place due to the need for stability while working on my guns. Your bench needs to be long enough to work on small or large projects equally.
Smaller, handheld tools are organized by frequency of use. If you’re not using that punch set or torque wrench often, store it at the pegboard’s far end or in the back of a drawer. Additionally, if you want things extremely organized, take the time to outline the shape of hanging tools in the spot where they belong. That way, you will always know where things go and what’s missing, should something sprout legs and wander off.
Do you need individual toolboxes for your tools and parts?
The simple answer is yes. It can make the DIY gunsmithing life a bit easier if you utilize toolboxes in addition to the workbench’s built-in storage. Toolboxes come in all shapes and sizes. It can be nice to have an upright toolbox with multiple drawers to store at the back of the bench, for fast access to smaller screwdrivers and wrenches. You should consider storing punches in a small enough space where they won’t roll around and vanish. Having multiple toolboxes of varying sizes can make things a lot easier for the various sizes of tools and parts. If your gun bench has drawers, find toolboxes slim enough to fit in the drawers or buy enough dividers to separate tools as needed.
Another reason toolboxes come in handy is for all those tiny replacements and spare parts. Having barrel nuts and detent pins tossed in a random box is not helpful. Sorting your parts into specific storage spaces can make your life much easier when it comes time to replace or repair something. The longer you own guns, the more spare parts you’re going to accumulate, and you’ll keep them because you never know when you might need that random grip panel screw or spring of unknown origin.
Make it Your Own
Ultimately, how you set up your gun bench depends on your personal preferences and needs. We don’t all do the same type or frequency of work on our firearms. Figure out the primary purpose of your bench and go from there. If cleaning is what you’re aiming for, you can go with a much smaller workspace, but if you’re building ARs, you’re going to want room to move and store things.
What’s your ideal gun bench workspace setup? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
