Is there such a thing...

[old lady new shooter]

I would like a permanent place for my gun-cleaning activities and supplies (as opposed to keeping everything in a giant carton and using a folding table). There is no suitable location in my house but if I could have a piece of furniture that could be closed when not being used for this purpose, I have room in my living room. I have seen hidable "offices" inside an armoire, something along those lines is what I have in mind. Does anyone know of such a thing made specifically for gun cleaning and maintenance?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Perhaps a small roll-around toolbox, also known as a roll-cart or "toter?"

They feature a closable, flat top that can be used as a working surface and you can store all the supplies inside.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Something like this perhaps-
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...bypWCS3DzE9jCoOGLAUaAlWPEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Speedo66]

She did say she had space in her living room, I don't think industrial steel cabinets are living room fare.

Perhaps something like a secretary, with a fold down table and some drawers and cabinet space for storage?

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/p...solid-wood-secretary-desk-rdbs1832.html?piid=

 

[kwguy]

A roll top desk?

 

[old lady new shooter]

She did say she had space in her living room, I don't think industrial steel cabinets are living room fare.

Perhaps something like a secretary, with a fold down table and some drawers and cabinet space for storage?

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/p...solid-wood-secretary-desk-rdbs1832.html?piid=

Thanks! That definitely has the advantage of looking like furniture, also reasonably priced.

I would need to measure my stuff to see whether that workspace is big enough.

 

[CapnMac]

You might look into small rolling cabinets, like those advertised as "kitchen islands."
Stow the supplies underneath, and roll the thing off to the side when not in use.
Meany will have a top surface that will resist things like cleaning vises and the like.

The other step is often in organizing the "bits." I found, on sale, a tool box with three drawers. Installed mechanic's tool box liner in the drawers, and added divided boxes for jags & brushes and the like. Only things that don't really fit are full-length rods.

 

[Obturation]

My wife is sensitive to chemical odors, I can't even detect some odors that make her feel sick. So I don't clean guns in the house, not exactly the same but kind of (can't clean at my basement workbench). What I do is have a couple old wood cutting boards that I sit on my lap and I'll go out on the patio. One has a small vice mounted to it for fiddly things . I keep cleaning chemicals in a Tupperware container in the garage. My cleaning supplies are minimal (that may be an understatement) generally consisting of a can of clp, a jar of hoppes, a wad of copper choreboy, a couple brass rods and some paracord . that does it all for me, fits in a small box.

I guess it depends on how you like to clean, I've seen some elaborate setups. I prefer to keep it reasonably small. I'd think a small desk would do for you and wouldn't look out of place.

Let us know what you come up with

 

[webrx]

I have a small roll top with a slide out shelf. Got it for free and cleaned it up/refinished.

I’ll post a pic when I get off work.

 

[George P]

A roll top desk?

Or a Secretary desk; a lot depends on how much space is needed. handguns would be easily doable; rifle may not

 

[DTL]

Amazon has this, about $114

YAHEETECH Rustic Lift Top Coffee Table w/Hidden Compartment & Storage Space - Lift Tabletop for Living Room Furniture, Rustic Brown

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

As mentioned by previous poster, if in a living room, I’d be shopping for a secretary desk like above, or a roll top desk, or a sewing machine cabinet. Sewing machine cabinets often have fold-out leaves, and lots of drawers and little storage spaces, and are usually small packages in general (unobtrusive). They can also fold away so things are a bit hidden or concealed.

 

[GNP]

I have three antique secretaries in my house, I got them as partial payment for website work for a company that has antique auctions. The fold-down writing surface works great for cleaning handguns, but it's not quite big enough for long guns (to me). There is a lot of storage space there though, and I use one of them to hold handguns and my very scrambled collection of knives. That one is roughly the size of the one in the link but has four drawers below the desk section. I also have the problem of a housemate who doesn't tolerate chemical smells very well, so if I have serious cleaning to do I just take it to the shop.

 

[Archie]

I have a table made for mimeograph usage. (If anyone remembers those.) It is a small, wooden arrangement not quite as attractive as a 'desk'. The various components I sort and place in plastic boxes with lids from the Dollar Store and the boxes fit in the drawers.
Not much good for hiding rifle length cleaning rods, but it may spark an idea.

 

[BigAlShooter]

Check out some antique shops in your area. You might find an old roll top desk or might find some obscure piece that will work, such as old hospital piece or stereo cabinet. It will probably be cheap, but solid wood. You just have to be lucky to find something that will work.

 

[MislMan]

Many of the items noted above could be covered by a “drop cloth” arrangement and kept in plain sight.

 

[old lady new shooter]

I have three antique secretaries in my house, I got them as partial payment for website work for a company that has antique auctions. The fold-down writing surface works great for cleaning handguns, but it's not quite big enough for long guns (to me). There is a lot of storage space there though, and I use one of them to hold handguns and my very scrambled collection of knives. That one is roughly the size of the one in the link but has four drawers below the desk section. I also have the problem of a housemate who doesn't tolerate chemical smells very well, so if I have serious cleaning to do I just take it to the shop.

I own a beautifully made antique secretary but the idea of using it for gun maintenance would bother me as it's a family piece.

Which brings me to

Check out some antique shops in your area. You might find an old roll top desk or might find some obscure piece that will work, such as old hospital piece or stereo cabinet. It will probably be cheap, but solid wood. You just have to be lucky to find something that will work.

Antique store would be expensive, but THRIFT STORE might be a good idea. There is one chain of thrift stores here that actually has pretty nice furniture sometimes, imagine if I found a secretary there...

 

[old lady new shooter]

Or a Secretary desk; a lot depends on how much space is needed. handguns would be easily doable; rifle may not
View attachment 996472

Yep, when I only had my revolvers I hardly had any cleaning items and all were relatively small. Now I have a lot of stuff and some of it is kinda big.

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

I'd look for something like a sewing cabinet or sewing armoire. It will have a workspace and places to put supplies.

https://www.sauder.com/categories/craft/sewing-carts

 

[Speedo66]

I own a beautifully made antique secretary but the idea of using it for gun maintenance would bother me as it's a family piece.

Which brings me to

Antique store would be expensive, but THRIFT STORE might be a good idea. There is one chain of thrift stores here that actually has pretty nice furniture sometimes, imagine if I found a secretary there...

A Goodwill store might work.

 

[webrx]

Images of the little garage sale student roll top - with a slide out desk.

 

[daniel craig]

I would like a permanent place for my gun-cleaning activities and supplies (as opposed to keeping everything in a giant carton and using a folding table). There is no suitable location in my house but if I could have a piece of furniture that could be closed when not being used for this purpose, I have room in my living room. I have seen hidable "offices" inside an armoire, something along those lines is what I have in mind. Does anyone know of such a thing made specifically for gun cleaning and maintenance?

Sounds to me like you need an old rolltop desk

 

[old lady new shooter]

Images of the little garage sale student roll top - with a slide out desk.

View attachment 996520 View attachment 996521

Wow, you did great!

 

[old lady new shooter]

I'd look for something like a sewing cabinet or sewing armoire. It will have a workspace and places to put supplies.

https://www.sauder.com/categories/craft/sewing-carts

That really looks pretty good.

 

[old lady new shooter]

Thanks so much, you guys have given me some great ideas, I really appreciate it.

I actually imagined someone manufactures something specifically for gun maintenance activities, silly me. But thanks to all your input I think I have marching instructions now.