Thanks for documenting all this Stunt and to Phil for sharing his extensive expertise.

Is rebuilding automatic transmissions a hobby or career, Phil?

Nice SS workbench top, Stunt. I really like the one I bought to sit on top of the scratch and dent Lista cabinets I bought from Motorhead Extraordinaire (if you have seen the 'junkyard dogs' section, you're missing out on some killer deals!).

Great thread! 5*'s!

All I had time to do tonight was to sand the edges of the 2 96" x 12" MDF panels that will sandwich together to form the back part of the bench top. After sanding it, I spread on liberal amounts of joint compound.

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_5_01.JPG

Once that dries, I'll hit it and the surface that will become the top with some 220 grit, then apply several coats of gloss primer followed by several coats of metallic paint. I might change my mind on that metallic paint if it is not durable. I'll test it after a few coats have dried.

Decided against using that Valspar metallic paint and instead use some Rustoleum White Enamel. I got about 5 coats of sealer down, sanded it with 800 grit, and just got down the first coat of Enamel. I sure wish Sears had a 96" x 36" instead of just the "skinny" 96" x 24". Would have been so much easier than having to create this 12" extension "by hand"...

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_7_01.JPG

The base of the work bench is mostly done. Still need to add some cleats where the 2 tops meet. That's a 2x10 running across the top front that I had laying around for years. Glad I finally got to use it. And yes, I'll be pulling that 3-pt broadcaster/spreader out of there. :D

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_7_02.JPG

The lower shelf will be a single sheet of 3/4" MDF that will drop into the space provided and be flush with the lower 2x6s. Everything is glued and screwed together and the 4 horizontals are glued and bolted. I'd like to think this will be plenty solid!

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_7_03.JPG

The base is 90" wide so there will be a 3" overhang on either side (and the front). I plan to add a Wilton Tradesman 1780A vise (bad boy 110 lbs 8") at the front left corner, so that overhang should work just right for securing the base.



http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_7_04.JPG

I promise we will return to the topic at hand shortly! Just got to get this bench done so that I have a proper place to tear down the transmission. :D

I'll also have to get used to that crazy blast every 45 mins for the solenoid drain valve on the compressor. It's way loud!

Extend your compressor drain through the wall to move the noise outside. That is what I did. Hate it when you are concentrating on something and the damn drain goes off.

Hey that's a great idea! You're right about it being very annoying when it goes off when you least expect it!

Nice again!

Finally got the shop bench mostly done. Lower rear section installed. Glued and screwed from above.

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_9_01.JPG

Upper rear section. Screwed from below (and glued)

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_9_02.JPG

Stainless front section!

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_9_03.JPG

Tranny parts moved over

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_9_04.JPG

http://www.cstone.net/~dk/x5_6_9_05.JPG

Still have to do the lower shelf but that can wait!

how do you do it I wish I was that talented.I`m mechanicly incline but never get into ripping stuff apart like that though.

God dayamn, that looks like a severely robust bench Stunt. Do you plan on putting your x5 on top of it. You do know they sell 1/7 scale replicas of our cars for display purposes?

How much was the top anyway? It looks great.

There's a bench that will be there when we all are long gone.