Russian Rifle Crate to DIY Workbench

Have you heard of a Russian rifle storage crate?  No?  Me either, until Mr. SP brought one home from a friend’s house.

Russian Rifle Storage Crate

After WWII the Russians refurbished rifles and stored them in these crates.  This must have happened over a number of years as our crate is marked 1983. 

The crates held up to 20 rifles, Mosin-Nagants to be exact.  If you want to see a cool video of firearms inside a crate, click here.

Russian Rifle Storage Crate - Inside

I think that a crate like this would make a unique coffee table for a rustic family room.  They must be hard to come by these days as the only one I found for sale was this one for sale on Ebay. 

Our friend has a few more crates, maybe we can persuade him that he should get rid of another one.  We could then make a coffee table for the lake house.

We transformed a Russian rifle storage crate into a DIY work bench!

Russian Rifle Storage Crate Repurposed into a DIY Work Bench

Our Russian Rifle Storage Crate Work Bench will be one of the first things that we move into our lake house basement. 

We know we’ll need tools and a workbench at the lake and this piece should work perfectly.  I’m planning to put our DIY Crate Cabinet next to it for additional tool storage.

Stand for Russian Riffle Crate turned DIY Work Bench

After finishing the inside of the crate, a stand was built for it out of two by fours.  The front pieces hinge out to hold the crate’s lid which will serve as a work surface.

DIY Work Bench made from a Russian Rifle Case

Surprise!  When the crate’s lid is opened, look at the storage!

DIY Work Bench from a Russian Rifle Storage Crate

Pegboard will hold a variety of tools.  We have duplicates of a lot of tools but will need to buy some new ones to keep at the lake.

DIY Card Catalog Style Drawers for a DIY Work Bench

Mr. SP designed and built card catalog style drawers that will provide storage for all sort of hardware that we’ll need at the lake.  The brass plated cabinet label pulls are from D. Lawless Hardware.  The drawers were stained with General Finishes stain in brown mahogany.

DIY Work Bench - This awesome work bench is made from a Russian Rifle Case

Here is another look at the workbench opened and ready for use.

I usually take pictures outside but it’s impossible for me to do so this time of year because by the time I get home from work, there is very little light left.

Mr. SP helped me make a drop cloth backdrop so that I could get pictures to share today.  We didn’t make it quite wide enough as you can see my grandfather’s mid-century Craftsman band saw in the background. (Isn’t it cool looking?  I really think it should be on display somewhere.)

DIY Work Bench - It's made from a Russian Rifle Storage Crate!

I think our  Russian Rifle Storage Crate Work Bench will be a conversation piece when guests see it in our lake house basement. 

Our friend was happy to get it out of his basement and we are happy to have a new workbench.  Win-win!

Russian Rifle Storage Crate Repurposed Into a DIY Work Bench. What a great upcycle! virginiasweetpea.com

23 Comments

    1. Thank you, Kimm! I want another one to use to make a coffee table. It would be great for storing blankets and extra pillows.

      Paula

  1. What a clever idea! I’m amazed at how you came up with this idea. Thanks for sharing at Inspired by You. I pinned it to our group board. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and please check back on Friday to see if you have been featured and visit us again next Sunday.

  2. this is neato – will be sharing with my husband. 🙂
    i’ve also seen a large suitcase used as a tv case
    in a similar setup. i have a vintage (very large)
    case that could easily hold a good size flat screen
    tv .. it’s always nice to close the door so to speak
    on the idiot box but have it available in an awesome
    case. 🙂

  3. This is a wonderful idea. I have a U.S. Air Force footlocker from the early 1950s. It was my toy box as a child. (Can’t tell you how many times it smacked me in the back of the head. 1960s weren’t much for safety. Now I have a grandson who’s 1. I want a place for him in my art/sewing/craft/whatever I’m working on room in a few years. Now I know what it will be!
    Thanks so much for the great idea

    1. I am so glad that my project inspired you to think of a way to use your 1950’s footlocker. I was thrilled with the end result of our project and it’s always a conversation piece when people see it in our workshop.

      Paula

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