BENCHMADE

I made this a year ago and put those links up from memory. If you use the power switch you don't need to buy the additional power connectors so you can save a few bucks there too. Also you may be able to find a cheaper power supply. It was only $4.00 when I bought it so if you shop around you could find a deal. Regardless, you've got all the parts you need listed. Feel free to swap out anything that may work better for your application.

By the way, you get a lot of lights on that strip, more than you'll need for this project. Others have used them to light the inside of their gun safes. I plan to do that in the future which is why I didn't mind the expense of the whole reel.

I don't have a how-to, but it's pretty easy to make them if you can solder. Here's a list of the parts that I used. I added connectors so I could unplug them, but that's not a necessary step. I had wire laying around so I didn't include that in the list but obviously you'll need that too. The LED's are adhesive. You just cut them to whatever length you want by cutting them between the solder pads (every 3rd LED). The lights: http://www.amazon.com/HitLights-Density-Flexible-Adapter-included/dp/B005ST2I9O/ref=sr_1_20?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1390083450&sr=1-20 The power connector: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006OQIYFM/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 12V Power Supply: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EK5SNA/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Power Switch: http://www.amazon.com/HitLights-Switch-Female-Barrel-SMD3528/dp/B006U5JWQW/ref=pd_sim_hi_37 Adhesive Cable Tie Mounts: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00975RMGO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Good luck and if you build them post a picture.

A friend of mine has a quote that's pretty accurate, and appropriate here. "MDF, twice the weight and half the strength of real wood." That pretty much sums it up.

The bench looks great. Hopefully you get the press soon. Congrats on the first step though.

No problem. They put that kit on sale periodically so if you can wait you can pick up a few of them pretty cheap. They also sell the t-track by itself.

Rockler http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21276&site=ROCKLER

Here's a picture of the lights that I made. I bought all of the parts on Amazon and wired them all myself. I've also attached a picture of how I can use the t-track with my gun vise parts.

Here are a few pictures of my setup. I made it by welding together some scrap bed frames. The top is two layers of cabinet grade plywood glued and bolted to it. I then laminated it with formica and routed out two channels for Rocklers t-track that I then also bolted all the way through the top for increased strength. It's very solid. I also added some lights to the press that are similar to a kit you can buy but I made it myself so i could use higher density LED's for increased brightness. I'll add some pics of that too in another post.

Thanks. So far reading is all I've been doing but it's a great resource and I intend to absorb as much as I can. But for now I'm going to go watch the Steelers beat the Redskins.

Been lurking for a while and just thought I would finally say hi. Great site and thanks to Brian for all of the great info.

Great thread. As soon a I can I'll post some of my home made bench.