Building a 2,000lb WorkBench from Scratch.

[@DieselCreek]

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!!! Hope Santa brings you all bulldozers!

[@XPFTP]

should of left some of the edge bends. nice areas to bend something over that is oddball or somehting. o will

[@freetolook3727]

Happy Holidays to you and the Mrs. Too bad that she's shy on being in videos. 🎄🎅🎁😂

[@2wwwilly]

Merry Christmas & a happy new year 2024😂😂❤❤🎉🎉

[@jamesklima4078]

I'd love Santa to leave the 64 Jeep under my tree,Merry Christmas

[@richardthomas1743]

Absolutely, I hope that everybody has a Safe and Very Merry Christmas. I am looking forward to next years Diesel Creek Videos! I think that Matt is going to get to 1 MILLION Subscribers in 2024! 🎉🎊 Than you Matt for taking us along!

[@Harold-w9o]

I am a retired, after 45 years as a fabricator of metal, an installer, a designer and sketcher of everything from light gage s/s to 1" plate and structural steel. I welded with (TIG) (MIG) and Stick in the shop on a bench and in the field. You need to tack weld (all) of your bracing onto your project (first) because (all) welds will warp the metal you are welding to, no getting away from it. When all of your bracing is in place and tacked down sufficiently, then and only then can you weld off and minimize warpage. Also, a good way to space your tack welds correctly is to keep splitting the distance between welds on center, tack both ends and then split the distance in half, and do the same thing on each side of center and keep doing that depending on how long your piece is and how many tack welds are needed. I had a 5' X 10' X 1" thick bench that was braced all around the perimeter with 6" channel. I loved that bench. I love your channel and look forward to each video.

[@idriveabigtruck2]

That’s an awesome table. When I saw him burning in those legs with out tacking everything together first I knew he would regret it. I would add some adjustability to the feet so the table can be leveled. Also needs a hole cut in it somewhere, helps with transmission jobs and working on shafts. Awesome table either way.

[@Parang97]

I was curious, couldn't you gouge a channel in the top and weld a bead to help cup it back to flat? Or would that be hard to control? I haven't played with big plates (yet)

[@nevillegoddard4966]

@​@@idriveabigtruck2 You got that right mate! Tack everythin before ya weld anythin! Good idea about a hole for long stuff, although how do you decide WHERE to put a hole? I'm guessin probly a 2" or 3" hole would be good.

[@kevinknight470]

Yep, been there done that, I Agree. Merry Christmas.😃

[@Donkusdelux]

some good info, Im a machinist but tend to weld thick material (up to 3") controlling the pulling forces is huge. made my table out of a 5/8 plate with a bonded stainless steel top. 4x3" hss for the legs and frame. a guy could set a forklift on it Plan to build another :)

[@pafr6096]

A few thoughts, Round the corners on the table top will save your hips. I'd add a pair of triangle gussets under the table to better support the vise. Try turning the table 90 deg to sit in front of the black tool boxes. Interesting to see a scratch built project, love your content.

[@johnellis8480]

I thought about rounding the corners too, don't ask how I know it is the right thing to do...

[@ve7yan]

I second ALL the above.

[@philleeson7835]

I third all of the above.​my 1st thought was turn the bench 90 ' @@ve7yan

[@joshuamatheny3350]

Matt, Stop calling it a table, work table, Fab Table. You made a Stand for your Vise. 😂😂

[@chrispbacon3042]

And it is a very pretty vise stand with loverly paint.

[@genesimons8368]

​@@chrispbacon3042I'm guessing that was some leftover paint that's just been waiting to be used up. 😁

[@jefferyyoung6836]

Another thing that you might consider. Cut some feet pads from an old mud flap, glue them to the bottom of the feet. 1 This will help prevent the table from walking when you are really leveraging on it. 2 It will take up any minute variation between the legs and floor feeling even more solid. 3 this will keep the steel legs from scratching up the concrete floor.

[@rsmith3062]

I was going to sugest cutting pads from a tire but that might be a bit much, too much bounce, mud flap pads a good idea!

[@jarredsegal6842]

That’s actually a pretty good idea about the only down side I can think of is grounding out the table At least with bare metal a charge would still have access to ground out instead of the guy welding on it

[@jarredsegal6842]

Dang thanks for the transfer punch trick naw that is a trick I’ll have to remember

[@jiggsborah7041]

Yes. I worked in mining and my main Bench had conveyor belt on it. Nice liner

[@douglastalbot8031]

Conveyor belt would be even better, just about indistructable and you can make all kind's of stuff with it.

[@ivanivanych8212]

I immediately recognized the vise FIREBALL. No one else makes such a huge vise

[@jackrichards1863]

I think you better take a grinder to the corners to take the sharp edge off. And run a file along the edges for the same reason? You don't want to be cutting skin on the table . A very fine bench.

[@jonmitchell2142]

On the topic of Sponsorship, you said it months ago, you are a full time KZbinr. This is one of the ways you pay your bills, you put out honest content ( even showing your mistakes) , i definitely would consider products you may promote. And better yet you put them to use while i get to see how well it works, like the jump pack and speed wrench you have, well i bought one because ive seen it tortured by you lol. Pay your bills, ignore the naysayers.

[@tywebbgolfenthusiast8950]

I second this. These guys work hard to put out content that you (presumably) enjoy if you’re watching. Why should anyone care how they’re monetizing it, especially with the crap U-toob has pulled on creators. Did they Ever watch a professional athlete shill for something that was they didn’t have expertise in? Hell, I’m old enough to remember Joe Namath selling panty hose.

[@kennethrobertson1201]

Take it while you can, could all end tomorrow. Don’t worry about what people say.

[@danimal0921]

Here here!!!!! I FULLY AGREE!!!!!

[@DieselCreek]

I do sponsorships occasionally but I try not to get carried away.

[@johnborn1600]

Rare is a young person with the drive you have Matt, sponsorships are part of you tube, if you use their products tell the world. On another note make sure your setting back sufficient funds for your future and retirement. Keep up great videos

[@JimRogers117]

When you showed the two vices side by side, the voice I heard in my head was Crockadile Dundee saying: "that's not a vice, THAT'S a vice!"

[@brianbrown826]

Great video! One suggestion I would make is to round off the corners so if you might bump into the bench the pain might be a bit less.

[@arcanewyrm6295]

Definitely!! A simple 1" radius will save hundreds of minors injuries to the upper thighs and trousers. Hips, too, if you have a tendency to want to cut the corner slightly as you walk around it. I know I do.

[@howardkendrick3525]

@@arcanewyrm6295 I bet that new robot toy could be programmed to radius the corners 🙂

[@nevillegoddard4966]

@​@@howardkendrick3525 Brilliant idea mate! 😃👍

[@gcflower99]

And it would be tempting to leave that corner rectangle (and round the edges, as mentioned here) to make an "out of the way" place to mount a vise, clamp, jig, etc.

[@genesimons8368]

​@@howardkendrick3525and cut those holes for the vice bolts too.. nice to have options

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Hi Matt, here’s a tip. I always run two vices on my bench, one at each end, and the Wilton would be ideal. Make sure the fixed jaw on both vices line up with each other so then when you want to hold something long in the big vice the Wilton can support the other end. This has proven to be very useful for me many times. Cheers, Stuart 🇦🇺

[@countryboy99656]

We run two because when you get the gland off the hydraulic cylinder and pull the rod out of the barrel, you can use the second vice to clamp the rod and get the piston loose.

[@000622477]

Very clever

[@Fantaman900]

As a car mechanic I enjoyed twin workbench's with vice. Clamp your long axle vertically to take off the top halve. Mount the top halve in second vice to work on and just walk back to put it back on top. No faf to swap things out twice to be able to work on or find a place to put the bottom halve still filled with oily grease that will spill if not kept vertical.

[@TimKee-sn7kp]

I was glad to see you blast and paint the work table, a Good piece of work ,deserves a proper finish.

[@andrewcooper8980]

One little bonus about using the hollow bits is the slugs that are left over. They get thrown in the scrap box and they always come in handy

[@dfross87]

Nice job Matt. Handy tip: get hold of a section of heavy conveyor belt (1"+ thickness) and cut it to match the feet on your new workbench. Drill and tap the feet, and drill matching holes in the conveyor sections. Then enlarge the holes in the conveyor pieces to the depth of the bolt head height + a washer + a small clearance. So for an M6 bolt, you'd make the recess ~7mm deep (4mm bolt head thickness + 1.6mm washer + 1.4mm clearance; and slightly larger diameter than the diameter of the socket needed to drive it (continuing the M6 example above, probably about a 1/2" hole to clear a 10mm socket which generally has an OD of ~12mm). I know that all sounds unbelievably complicated, but it's basically just making very durable, soft feet for your workbench. They won't scratch your shop floor, quiet the bench down a surprising amount when you're hammering something on it, and they have just enough give to soak up the slight imperfections in the concrete so the bench will sit more solidly. I wish I could claim credit for this, but I'm just telling you what came already fitted when we bought our stupidly heavy 8' x 4' steel workbench.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Milwauke Mag drill is a beast Use mine all the time For Custom Work Like rock sliders and Offroad Bumpers when needing to Drill Holes in frame rails or In thick steel plate For the Custom designed and made Bumpers Matt 43:47 @Diesel Creek

[@northeasterndirtandpropert7974]

You may not use the Milwaukee mag drill often,but when you need it,it makes drilling very efficient.Good quality tools.

[@poolbumone]

I love the fact that you seem to be putting out more videos than usual! Keep them coming! I could watch you work on stuff every day.

[@DieselCreek]

I’m trying!

[@jda79]

This not a lie

[@arcanewyrm6295]

​@@DieselCreekCareful, Matt. I think he's hinting at daily livestreaming. 😁

[@eugeneseamann3005]

Matt, you might want to round the corners.

[@jgmallin7080]

@eugeneseamann3005 If only he had a way of making them, automatically. Oh wait he does. I'm jealous...lol

[@FloatingCroc]

Just a suggestion but weld on a few u-shape shape bar on the underside of the table to store bar stock to save space on the shelf

[@kevinmurphy3464]

Man, that mag drill is freaking awesome. That’s one serious work bench.

[@jaimzmyers3699]

I really like that trick for the transfer punch. Merry Christmas, everyone.

[@tjmarckese7366]

I’m one of those guys.. spent couple years as a fabricator. Think of you bench as a house. Build framework first. Then place the sheeting on the framework. Option 2. Tack everything vs doing all that stitch welding you did on the long angle pieces. All that heat is what caused the legs to go inward. I’m certain u learned that. Built a very similar bench for my shop 20yrs ago. Little lighter. Have always loved it. Countless purposes! Can’t wait to see what else is coming for your shop. Keep the videos coming!

[@KiwiBassHead]

Hi Matt. Great job on the bench from 'scrap', it turned out great. Two things to consider for next time for someone else doing this. Firstly, the legs closing up on you was a dead give away that the bend in the top of the bench was caused by shrinking from welding the 4" angle to the under side. Whenever you weld something it causes localized shrinkage, so all those big stitches have worked together to make the bottom surface of the plate shorter than the top surface thus turning what started as a flat plate to a curved one. You maybe able to fix it by heat shrinking the top surface as well. Get a rosebud torch and heat a spot about the size of a beer can to red hot, the quench it as fast as possible. A decent size cloth SOAKED in water followed by a hose should be okay. Do this about ever 12" following along the same line as the angle iron. I would start in the middle and work outwards. You should be able to see the top flatten out as you go. Secondly, I suspect that you have the vise base bolted down 90deg's out. You said it your self, if you turn the vise to the side (90deg's) it lines up as it should 🤔🤔. My guess is that is was crated how it was, with the base rotated to cut down on shipping crate width. Every vise I have every seen is designed to be mounted with the fixed jaw in line with the edge of the bench it is mounted on and given the lengths Jason (fireball tool) went to to design that monster I very much doubt he over look such a fundamental design aspect. Anyway, have a great holiday. Cheers from down in NZ.

[@denttech2515]

I was thinking the same thing. It appeared the plate top was warped itself. I was cringing as he sticthed so much, so fast, in the same area, one after another. Then, not to my surprise, the legs were out of square. Preventing distortion when welding is one of the hardest skills to learn in metal fabrication. Either way, awesome table

[@asw19B100]

I watched an old pro straighten a heavy channel after a palletizer with a full load of block had fallen on it from height when a stop somehow let go. He kept working on that channel with a big rosebud and straightened it right back up. Wish I’d paid closer attention to exactly how he did it, but his technique was similar to what you describe but without the water as I recall. I’m very happy you elaborated on your technique which I know will come in handy on my new work table with a 3/8” top I tried hard not to bend, but did anyway, being an amateur welder at best.

[@Ron-b7g]

MATT GREAT JOB. FANTASTIC VICE. AND JESUS LOVES YOU.

[@frankbattlejr981]

@@asw19B100Pipe welders use that same technique when a pipe moves out of square and has a slight dogleg. Stainless expands and contracts a significantly more than carbon steel. You can literally watch it move a good ways when a wet rag is wrung out on one side while the pipe is still scorching hot. Sometimes you’ll run across a good pipe fitter who works regularly with the same welder and he will fit the pipe so that there’s a slight dogleg on one side, being the side the welder intends on starting putting in his root so when the heat moves the pipe it will move perfectly square…

[@jonashaglund1125]

Yeah and from a stability perspective there is really no point welding at all between those angle irons and the plate. The plate will rest on the angle irons whether it is welded or not. Perhaps some weld to avoid vibrations when beating with hammer on something on the table.

[@ni_wink84]

Hanging out with Matt building something cool on Christmas Eve! This holiday is starting out great! Happy holidays everyone

[@timprussell]

Fireball did a great, destructive test of several vices including his own. Fun to look up.

[@vega1287]

anyone else bothered by the fact that in that video the coment section is turned off?

[@dulmi2317]

@@vega1287 he's moved all discussion to a Discord channel to minimize KZbin's inherent influence on his content. Only a few of his videos even make it to youtube anymore.

[@erimus1]

Matt’s channel is seriously a a contender for my favourite

[@sparksalot4950]

Love all the tools used to create the bench. I would like you to get sponsors, that would enable you to create more videos and I get to watch more stuff get worked on. That socket for getting a center was a genius idea!

[@1one3_Racing]

Recently did this at work. Trying to weld fairly precise things on a bowed wooden table without catching it on fire. I got sick of it so when I had a huge project come up I threw in a sheet of 10mm and used up some heavy scrap. I put hydraulic wheels on mine though so it can either be stationary or I can move it out under the chain fall

[@jrey7748]

Dude, I don’t know if I am more impressed by your fabrication skills or the fact those Kobalt saw horses could handle that much weight. I have the same ones and have never stressed them like that, but now I will!

[@Jumper1776]

I have the same ones too! I wish the legs would stay up inside while there folded up. 😅

[@braxtonnelson5375]

What an awesome worktable! Certainly worthy of the new Hardtail (I could hear Crocodile Dundee saying, "Now THAT'S a vise!") Looking forward to a Happy New Year full of great Diesel Creek content!

[@KevinCoop1]

Matt, I know it’s too late for this project, but a long time ago, a structural engineer taught me that using an angle iron to stiffen up flat is fine. But to better utilize the angles strength, do not put a flat side against the plate. Instead put the toe against the flat plate. As you know a C channel is way stronger than an angle. By welding the toe, you make it a C channel.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

That's a really nice bench, you got there, Matt! I'm a woodworker myself and I just recently finished my own workbench, and man, nothing is quite so satisfying as a well built, clean and efficient working surface. Cheers!

[@davidmiller6010]

Actually it be even more satisfying in 30 years, because every nick, ding and gouge, as well as the discolorations were all put there by YOU, and represents a generation of satisfying projects!

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

That ArcDroid thing is AWESOME! I think with a little practice, that thing will make ALL KINDS of parts and the like.. super neat!!

[@haroldphipps3457]

The FabRats channel got one, and they are getting pretty good at it.

[@johnpyle8027]

First time visiting your channel and I have to say I am more than impressed! I don't know exactly what you do, but I will hang and around and see. I'm a retired masonry guy. Bricks, block, stone, stucco and concrete. I built a shop back in 2010 mainly for storage of lawn tools a ZTR and a 25hp tractor with a loader to maintain about 4 acres. I have one and a half bays with a nice small shop. I had not welded or built anything using steel since high school and I love it! Mainly for repairs and I have built a few implements and things, plus wood working. From my experience, I tell anyone planning a shop think of what size you "need" and double it and you will still fill it. Great project, very nice!

[@CrustyRustysRestoration]

Matt’s got a ton of sweet projects and a shop I’m super jealous of 😂

[@mdruryscs]

Matt, I love the way you take time to explain to the viewer everything you are doing, how stuff works, and your opinions. Not all of us are super knowledgeable and experienced mechanics, fabricators, builders, and heavy machine operators. Some of us are none of the above but enjoy watching and learning about all your amazing trades. Please don't ever stop teaching and explaining things to us. Your content is so addictive for that reason. Merry Christmas to you and Ava and thanks for the great videos!

[@davidnichols2125]

Find out how much the cost and maybe get you one that's nice of him to let you use it maybe you can keep it just pay the man it would come in handy about for stuff like that I've seen them before growing up steel factory where they use them no same machines to cut out a programs parts

[@paulwest3905]

This is a fun one Matt! Glad you took the time to record it all. Merry Christmas to you, Eva and the pups!

[@cresciscustoms3332]

Beautiful table love the build and always enjoy your videos just want to throw in my two cents. I have a service truck I am a heavy equipment mechanic and rebuilding lot of hydraulic cylinders always had my vice mounted on the right side of my workbench bumper. had a really old guy who did the same thing as me tell me my vice is on the wrong side I was confused as to what he meant finally he explained it to me. the vice needs to go on the left so that when you clamp a cylinder in there The eye of the cylinder goes in the clamp and the cylinder goes from left to right that way you can put a wooden block on the table and set the long end of the cylinder on it now when you’re turning the gland you’re not only pulling down with your own gravity you’re pushing the cylinder into the table rather than into dead space The way it would be on the right side. if you put the cylinder from right to left you have to push up on the gland which will usually push it up which will twist it out of the Vise with the amount of leverage you have. and not only that it’s hard on the back. I had six cylinders to rebuild on the day he told me that. the following day my vice moved from the right side of my bumper to the left and ever since then it is always something I think about when mounting a vice. I also inset the vice so the handle is almost against the table like you’re worn out one and if it’s on the left you can just loosen the table swing the vice over the side where it’s up against and you can put things vertical in over the left side of the table or bumper in my case.

[@jimanderson4495]

There absolutely NOTHING that I don’t like on this channel…. Repeat…. N O T H I N G! Love fabrication projects. Thanks Matt for all your time producing this great content….. and a Merry Christmas to you and Eva.

[@googacct]

Nice table. I did something similar, but with 1 inch plate and a little smaller area. One thing I did with mine was move the shelf supports down low enough so that a pallet jack could pick it up. Sometimes it is easier to move the table to work than the work to the table. Something else that is useful is to drill tapped holes that match milling hold down clamps. That has come in handy many times as well.

[@chrisjackson9978]

Good job Matt. Heat the workbench top and then give it a coat of boiled linseed oil. Will stop the bench surface from rusting. You can re-coat it as required.

[@Spargeltarzan49]

Thanks so much for this Christmas present, it's always a real joy to watch you handle these big babies

[@tomdale1313]

look how far your journey has taken us, from those humble beginnings in your home basement working on a forklift bringing us to the end of 2023 in this unbelievable "DREAM / REALITY SHOP", you're the "REAL DEAL" Matt, thxs for sharing your incredible American Dream come thru...the jeep is too cool

[@DieselCreek]

So true!

[@sparksalot4950]

That jeep would have to be my ride around town vehicle on the nice days! My wife loves it❤

[@vladislavkolarik8019]

Hi Matt if you weld the frame toghether first make it all square then weld the frame to your top plate that's how I made mine work bench

[@coleconiff3191]

So cool that you have a fireball hartail vise. That thing is a beast and Jason's work and channel are awesome!

[@johnversluis3084]

yes its a coped vise as Jason from Fireball Tools

[@corydriver7634]

If your vise weights 290 lbs do you need to bolt it down? 🤓

[@refactorear]

Neat, they are shipping them already? Last time I checked their channel a few months ago they had some backslash because they weren't shipping them and had to close all comments in videos to prevent them being shown.

[@KipdoesStuff]

@@corydriver7634 we bolt down houses and they weigh as much as a house...

[@sithus1966]

@@refactorear You can get the Taiwan version, it's the USA version you cannot get. Jason ran into some issues getting those made. I believe the issue was getting the machining done on them was the hang-up. Abom79 is doing a series on machining a USA version, which shows all that is involved in finishing one out.

[@makeitwork583]

Morning Matt, thanks for the video! Happy Holidays. Be well.

[@DieselCreek]

Same to you!

[@nicholas4839]

Yea a 2ed videos this week

[@colinselby2405]

It’s Merry Christmas Jew boy

[@robertandjodijackola4901]

Merry Christmas!

[@makeitwork583]

@@colinselby2405 happy holidays

[@robertironside3166]

Cool I have a real old one from a blacksmith's shop that I set up in my Garage I used for wood carving... Cool. You going to set up a welding table with the pegs and such? That'd be cool. Was thinking you could take that compressor you recntly got and attaching that giant air tank to it from that auction last year [unless you sold it that is]. Always good to see you bu-zapping steel together though. Be cool to see you fix up the Blade on your D8 as buddy at C&C gets face material in for the Dozer's he refurbishes. You should check in with him about your CJ5 jeep. He can get you a top for that Jeep or any of the other accessories it's missing. He gets them in like the Army used to sell them... on skids and then he assembles or sells them as is. They're pretty amazing really and pretty much new versions of that one you have. very cool.

[@chromatic91]

A shop is nothing without a real solid workbench. Well done!

[@wes11bravo]

And only guys like us could get geeked up about the vise attached to it, too!

[@echlebow]

That steel bench is a great addition to the shop Matt. Really impressed with the new circular plasma cutter and that massive vice too. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.

[@mortimerschnerd3846]

For maximum load carrying capacity you should not weld the angle to the table with the flat side of the angle flat to the table, but weld the edge of the angle to the table. Stitch weld both sides of the angle edge to the bottom of the table with about 1 inch of weld every six or eight inches.

[@FeralPreacher]

Merry Christmas, Matt. Congrats on getting your fab table built. One suggestion, round the corners before you walk into one and need stiches. Nice to have all the tools to build something like that. Get your big compressor plumbed and wired soon, you need it. Love the monster vise, great video from FireBall Tool, btw. Thanks for sharing.

[@PaganWizard]

11:20 I see that the old saying "third time's a charm" applies quite well in your workshop. On a serious note, this workbench looks to be so well constructed, that your Grandchildren will be using it.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

That Metal Cut Circular Saw Just does stunning Cuts In that 3/4 Plate Even left swirl Lines like it was cut with a Milling Machine Beautiful Matt 9:15 @Diesel Creek

[@soupofpossibilities8537]

A bit late now... the angle stiffeners would have been a lot stronger if it was rotated 90° - put the top of the L against the plate instead of the bottom. I expect the lip under the table would've come in handy at times too. It might be good to grind a bit of radius on the corners. It'll save carving hunks out of your hips and arms.

[@TCW-hw6iw]

Wow that bench weighs as much as my car. The drill you used and the bits were pretty impressive. I've seen them on other videos but never had them explained very well. Education and entertainment all in one, only the best of teachers know that combo. Merry Christmas to you and your family and critters.

[@davidpayne2880]

Matt, the only tables I seen that were bigger and heavier were several that I hauled from a union carbide chemical plant in Brownsville Texas to Moses Lake Wasington. They had 4 inch thick tops and were 4 wide by 8 feet long with 6 inch pipes for legs. They did not move the whole trip. Good content and great for telling why you do your thought process. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

[@kiwibrett]

Matt, if you don't want to be 'cutting corners', consider adding circular bumpers to your 3 exposed hip hitters. Could be as simple as using a 4" hole saw to cut discs from a tire, hardwood or thick plastic. Weld a clevis pin on the underside of each corner, 1 3/4" in from each side and attach the disc with an R-clip. This makes it easily removable if you need a free corner to place a length of angle iron etc. Cheers from another watcher from NZ

[@wannabejeeper]

Man, this video couldn't be more relatable! I'm just setting up my new shop and wanting to build a 4x8 fixture table. Unfortunately we don't have those kinds of deals kicking around, so my plan is to use 3/4 X 6 or 8" flat bars spaced 3/4" apart. I love the fireball channel and it's pretty cool to see that crossover. I don't have a forklift to help build mine, but I do have a one ton gantry crane. Speaking of which, can't wait to see yours go in!

[@rocksnstumps873]

Ahh, the allure of a massive vise. Watched a few of those Fireball videos myself. Just reworked an old bench recently and really liked how 1/2" top looked with using metal bluing compound from Brownells. Used their Oxpho-Blue creme formula and gives a nice blackened finished look the same as you would get refinishing a firearm. Doesn't hide any of the old battle scars on a surface used many years but looks about right when putting the old Reed 4" vise back in place. Cheers and merry Christmas!

[@donbullock8790]

Hello Matt, I'm watching your video about the table build and have a suggestion for you. When sand or media blasting rehash or reuse the media. We would sweep it up run it through a door screen to sift out the chunks and reuse. It last a lot longer that way. Now back to the video.

[@duncanjames914]

That is a serious workbench! Well done Matt. Hey, a suggestion for the surface... Rather than grinding the rust off, try a Rust Converter (not rust remover). It dissolves the surface rust and leaves a smooth, shiny black finish. The best thing is if you scratch it or have further rust development, just slap some more on top. It's cheap and works great. Merry Christmas!

[@unclegreybeard3969]

My preferred method is scotch-bright and waste oil, like your suggestion this also can be repeated when necessary.

[@freetolook3727]

Rustoleum Rust Reformer!

[@TheBibliofilus]

Or a coating of diesel/oil mix and then fireing the surface

[@glenpaul3606]

A product called Ospho which is phosphoric acid converts iron oxide (rust) to iron phosphate which is inert. It turns the surface black and it will not rust again. It also serves as a primer for paint. I did a 500 gallon steel gasoline tank to fuel my boats when I lived on the Gulf Coast and 5 years later next to saltwater, there was not a spec of rust or corrosion on the tank and the paint still looked new . Great stuff if you have rusty equipment. Simply wire wheel off the flakey rust then spray with Ospho. It works fast and dries in hours. Sometimes you get a white powdery residue but it just wipes or brushes off, then you can paint. This would work well on any of your rusty machines. A gallon of Ospho is about $20 and it goes a long way.

[@duncanjames914]

This is what I was referring to. There are several brand offerings of this product. The one I've used is called "Corroseal". 🙂@@glenpaul3606

[@mikeabbott2396]

That Hardtail is so massive it looks like you put a real tool in the equivalent of a Barbi workshop. Also I think fabrication content is great, I would love to see more of it.

[@mikesutton2597]

As a weld shop supervisor that deals with heavy plate daily, your welder is ice cold. Yup the legs have penetration, but the 3/4 plate...you need a real welder with 052 wire with a minimum of 31 volts. I guarantee you can knock those legs off and the cold weld sticks to the legs.

[@papabear2149]

I think it's a good change of scenery watching you work on other things besides construction equipment. By the way, nice looking stitch welds!

[@trevelynbrown4444]

Looking forward to seeing you put up the overhead crain .

[@studiosoftmorecambe6879]

I would have built that from the floor up and laid that plate on top of a perfectly level frame. If you don't want it to move, it would be better bolted down. Having said that, you have heating pipes in that floor - that would not end well.

[@donaldderrick3639]

Love it! You know it's a Real workbench, when you need a forklift to mount the Vice.

[@tywebbgolfenthusiast8950]

I’m reminded of AvE’s saying: “A grinder and paint makes me the welder I aint”. Nice bench, have a merry Christmas!

[@gearjammergamer8560]

My grandfather used to say "Paint is like love. It covers a multitude of sins"

[@jailbreak852]

It is kind of an art, he's better than me

[@randysmith9636]

Good morning brother from Mid/East Tennessee. I have never seen your channel before but it popped up in my recommendations this morning. Clicked on it and heard that diesel fire up. OK, thats a great start. I have my ear buds in and stepped away to get another cup of coffee. I then heard you say that you wanted to build yourself a workbench that wouldn't move around on you. You have a sheet of 3/4" plate steel that should work. I got back to my phone and immediately hit the subscription button with notifications. Any man that considers a 3/4" plate steel is perfect for a bench top is someone i want to be friends with.

[@Macedawg81]

I love it. I almost think I’d put it longwise with the vise end towards the toolboxes but awesome work on the table!

[@johnsmith-xr6qy]

Matt, it takes some thought, brains, skill and a lot of hands to do all of this. It looks like you check all the boxes. Sounds like the band chipped in to help out! Good job! Nailed it!

[@oldreliable303]

For the arc droid, take a look at a patten torch. Its about the same size and does the same thing, but old school, no confuzers needed. And i was cutting 8 inch plate with mine a few days ago

[@brian400ex1]

You can also wrap electrical tape around a transfer punch to make it fit into a larger hole.

[@akersjon278]

You are not alone in forgetting what tools you have Matt. I'm building a house, and for financial reasons (and my own sanity) I have devided the build into several stages with long brakes inbetween. A couple of months ago I was gearing up for the next stage (where I had to do some demolition work) and while I was in the hardware store buying stuff I thought that I'd better get me a sawsall for this part, so I bought a nice Bosch machine with extra blades. Well I brought it home, took it out of the packaging and used it to make a couple of short cuts, but then I needed a couple of bolts before continuing to cut into the wall I was working on and I went to my shed to get them. I couldn't find the bolts at first, so I was rooting around a bit. It was then I found the exact same model sawsall (with extra blades) that I had bought and used for a short while a couple of years earlier and totally forgotten about. And of course I had to go and use the new one BEFORE I went to the shed and found the first one so I couldn't return it... Oh well, you can't have too many tools I guess...

[@davidgould1829]

You need Two of everything so you're not walking back and forth .

[@Mr.Innovator961]

…and being Chinese made your better off having 3-4 of the identical tool for obvious reasons

[@40beretta1]

Despite the weight of that table. Archimedes principle will come into affect. Once you clamp down with that vice and you put all the onions into breaking loose a nut or bolt... "Leverage and a Fulcrum", unless that table is secured.... IT will move. "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, an I shall move the world" ~ Archimedes

[@mustangaclr8]

Love your content Matt! I’d love to see the OG Auto car make a come back and get goin again

[@clairestaffieri4398]

Love you figuring out how to fabricate. More, please

[@Military-Museum-LP]

Matt I love your table. My first table I exaggerated with the thickness of the top at 35 mm. It takes my 16 Lind forklift to move it it’s so heavy.

[@dmwi1549]

Happy Holidays! Nice job on the bench-that will certainly be handy for your projects. You probably had the quickest success with the Arc-Droid of any KZbinrs I’ve seen-good work!

[@ultramaroon-h8r]

Thank you for this site, and have a great holiday. Again, I appreciate the lack of politics ,drama, swearing etc.... In todays world you managed for me to learn patience and gave me plenty of different ways of working on my cars and house. You are a breath of fresh air. Don't go changin'

[@specialized29er86]

Well done Matt and we too just finished a 2,000lb mobile bench just like your and I used the hole saw to cut a bunch of holes for the clamps.

[@caerusdharken57]

That massive satisfying thumb sound as the table fell onto its feet, no flex, no vibration, just bang, here I am! And that plasmacutting robot looks really nice, gonna look into those, thanks for showing :) Christmas presents to oneself are the best ones, no one knows better what really makes you happy.

[@AnthonyRBlacker]

Merry Christmas Matt to you and all of your loved ones!! Thank you for all the hard work filming your life!

[@markchodroff250]

The bench looks and came out fantastic! And the Vice is the only one I would have thought of to use on this bench ! WOW !

[@Dave-1277]

What do I like about this channel? EVERYTHING!!!! Merry Christmas to you Matt!! And Ava, Meatball and Rosco too!!!!

[@Timothy-lb2vr]

Don’t see Ava in the shop very often, but her willingness to help Matt with what ever, is obvious, good going Ava.

[@Dave-1277]

I wish she would come back on more often, it was always extremely comical when she would get annoyed at Matt so easily lol @@Timothy-lb2vr

[@haroldphipps3457]

​@@Dave-1277👍

[@4knanapapa]

What a pleasant gift having a DC video on Xmas eve, hopping you and yor family have a great holiday, never get tired of watching shop improvements.

[@DieselCreek]

Same to you!

[@jezharrison2221]

Thanks for some useful points to note when building my own bench - Plus, not one... but two pretty cool pieces of kit with the Mag Drill and Arcdroid.

[@dennis82468]

Matt…you’re a machine. Pumping out all these videos. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours

[@DieselCreek]

Sam to you!

[@DBs58]

It's fantastic watching you build these type of projects! Heck, you could probably grab a shovel and dig a hole in the groud , give it your informative narrative and I would definitely watch it! I have been watching as many of your videos as I van and enjoying everything!! Merry Christmas and wishing you a super New Year!! 🎉

[@WestHamBubbleBoy]

I think everything I wanted to say has been covered by other viewers. However, I will say this. The bench will work much better if you were to turn it 180 so that the vice with the longer side of the bench is parallel with the walkway. It will give you more room to work around your bench, especially when you have large projects on it. As it is now, you will curse it, trust me. Another point, in turning it 180 then shifting it inwards a little, makes it that much easier to access all of your draws for a tool you need without having to walk so far from the bench. Not to mention, the look will be much better, too on camera. Try it and see, after all, what have you got to lose? You have a brand new very large workshop, so why cram the bench in a tight place. Spread yourself a little, make better use of the space you have for that area. Turn the bench, it will look and work much better, trust me😉👍 Happy New Year Matt.🍻🍾💥2024 💥🤘🇬🇧⚒️

[@ez1913]

The CNC cutter is an awesome tool. It'll be fun to see what you make with that. Nice edit, Matt. Thanks for sharing.

[@RobertBelt-x6d]

Hey Matt while you are at it, cut out a couple of different sizes of wedges that can be used when breaking loose heavy rusted or tight pieces on equipment. You can sledge hammer them with out worry and save on your chisels. Use them also for alignment when welding heavy plates etc. I see this used often on Cutting edge Engineering, Australia channel. BY The Way Merry Christmas to you and family.

[@anthonyjohnson100]

Damn I can’t wait to get me some fireball tools like the vise and hopefully a table.

[@hectorpascal]

Very nice job, very well done! Some hard rubber/synthetic foot pads would probably be a good addition to save the floor finish when you beat hard on the benchtop.

[@tsparky236]

Matt, Merry Christmas to you and your wife sir. Anything you put on your channel is the reason we all come here. Thank you for taking the time to bring us along sir. ❤

[@samssungs4495]

Matt, This video reminds me of Norm Abrams on this old House and then his own blog. His ultimate statement was, " With the right tools, anyone can make a professional product." That's a very simplistic statement because an incredible amount of talent and experience is required! Terrific video!

[@stephencooney9870]

Murphy's Law. "A job will expand to the space available". And all open Space available will be filled with Crap. You definitely seem to be doing this, Matt. Love this channel, I watch you for hours. keep them coming. Happy Christmas to you and all other Diesel Creek adicts.

[@Ganiscol]

Fabrication content is always appreciated! 😊 And Merry Christmas to ya'll! 🎄

[@jcadult101]

2 table ideas I'm going to build into my bench. First is people use receiver hitch tubing under the table to slide receiver tubing into. Then they can mount a vise, sharpening tool, or anything you need temporarily, to hitch tubing. Pull the pin, slide it out and store it underneath. Second is the shelf. Use expanded metal so grinding dust and debris can fall to the floor underneath.

[@joeyknuckey1209]

You should look into the remote control garage door openers. You can get multiple remotes for it. Then you can open and close the shop door from the seat of the machine. Pretty neat

[@johnellis8480]

I think he has them

[@youtubestolemyhandle1]

There is a phone app for that also.

[@dangroce82]

That table is going to be a great addition to your shop. There are a couple of things I would suggest when fabbing. Always, always, always square and tack all pieces prior to welding. Warpage WILL happen, no matter how thick the steel. When I saw you using the porta-power to pull the angle down in the center, I knew then it was pulling the plate, not the angle. The angle had a built in brace, the plate was a long flat piece, of course it would bend first. Tack all of your bracing pieces together so that the entire square is in place prior to welding it out, so it won’t be able to move or warp when welded. If you are having to use a porta-power to bend things back straight, you fucked up on your layout and tacking. Have a Merry Christmas and if we don’t see you in between, have a happy (safe) New Year’s.

[@DieselCreek]

Yah, seasoned fabricator, I am not. Get better all the time tho. It was a learning experience, the next one will be better

[@joeg7755]

Hi Matt, recommend using stick welder next time for thick plate, that little Miller is good for up to 3/8, maybe 5/16" max. Most MIG's that size are not good for thick material at all. Hard to beat stick (unless you have a huge 500A MIG machine of course LOL)

[@harrypotter4309]

Like the bench. Didn't know anyone still made a vice as large as that!!

[@douglassmith2055]

It's a recent design.