Build your own garage cabinet/workbench?

[dwljpl]

I've been looking around at garage cabinets and used kitchen cabinets for two months now. Nothing is either in my budget or suits my needs. So, I've been toying with the idea of building a 6 foot wide 2 foot deep 3 foot tall cabinet with a work surface on top.

I planned to build the frame from 2x4 pressure treated lumber since it will be sitting on concrete. Make a rear skeleton from two vertical uprights screwed t the frame and a crossbar across the back for rigidity. Make a 2 foot x 3 foot side panel for each side from 1/2" MDF or plywood and then frame the face out with 1x3 pine.

The top would just be a prefabbed countertop from Lowes or Home Depot and I planned to outfit it with three or four doors depending on what I could find at Lowes or Home Depot. That idea was scrapped when I discovered they don't sell only the doors. I planned to paint the cabinet red to match my toolbox. There is a member here with a kitchen cabinet that was painted red and it turned out fantastic.

Now for the problems.... a prefabbed countertop is about $85 for a 2ft x6ft piece and that would have unfinished edges unless I buy the finished ends and glue them on. A little pricey although I like the idea of it looking more finished than a slab of wood.

Where do you buy just cabinet doors by themselves? I'd be up for making my own but I don't own a table saw, a jointer, a router table or many other woodworking tools. I've got a chopsaw, a circular saw, a nice drill and I can get access to a finish nailer.

Part of me doesn't want to just buy a solution. Building it seems a little more rewarding. I know there are a lot of topics on here about cabinets but if anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears.

Thanks!

 

[GrandmaSideways]

I had the same conundrum. Also limiting me was the fact that I had a small space for the bench (64" iirc) and most benches are 6 feet long. I also wanted something with an easy to clean surface so either stainless or a nice butcher block top.
As you're finding out, building your own is expensive. I kept hitting craigslist daily, but had trouble getting responses from sellers. I was also looking at stainless steel commercial kitchen prep tables since they're easy to clean, don't absorb oil, look cool, etc... If you have plumbing in your shop you can even get a bigger one with a built in slop sink, and I considered one of these (typically they're about eight feet long) and plumbing it in but I realised I would rather have that space for storage. Finally on craigslist came a really nice workbench with a maple butcher block top on a heavy powdercoated steel frame with steel pegboards on the back. Came from costco and apparently was $500 new, I got it for $180. It's been better than anything I'd have built and came in for what materials probably would have cost me. So I'm happy...
Additionally I had a small issue with the cabinets - over my workbench close to the wall is the small garage attic access and although I will only occasionally go up there, I need to be able to remove the cabinets quickly and easily. I ended up getting a red ikea ps cabinet, getting a 16" wide pine shelf, and then placing my ikea cabinet on top and screwing into the middle of the hollow legs through the bottom of the shelf. Looks pretty good, and the best part is when I move, all this stuff comes with me.

Sounds like you have way less considerations though, luckily. This may not be ideal for everyone but for me it was the best solution. Again, this bench came at the right time, I probably would've stuck with a commercial prep table, and many can be had cheap from restraunts going out of business...
The other thing I thought when making my own was that granite suppliers often have odd pieces that are leftover that they let go cheaply. If you throw a piece of 1/4" it will pretty much never crack, although you also can't exactly drill a vise into it...

So, think outside the box! And like I said, scour craigslist and be patient. Good luck whatever route you choose!

 

[tinbender 66]

The last time I was at the local Habitat store they had a bunch of cabinet doors and drawer fronts. I don't know what they wanted for them though.

I bought two kitchen base cabinets for $20 each off CL. I could never jump fast enough to get free ones. Then I lucked out at a barn sale. There was an old apartment in the barn and I got all the cabinets for $20. I had to go back and remove them. They aren't as nice as the first two but painted up to match they don't look too bad. I added some inexpensive hardware from Lowe's. The ones on the right in the pic are the first two I got. The tops are just sitting on there until I finish the wall and figure out a countertop. Probably metal.

Part of the bunch was a sink base and a sink. It has since been painted and had hardware added. I have one more sink base left. I'm thinking I'll put it next to this one and span both with one countertop.

 

[smedly]

You should be able to purchase the prefinished doors alone for the assemble yourself cabinets. You purchase the cabinets and doors separately.
Not sure if it would be cost effective though since you want to paint it.

 

[dwljpl]

I keep checking Craigslist but so far nothing good has come along. It's all been 80 year old cabinets for $700+.

 

[Gary S]

I say, "do it". Why spend a lot of money on something that doesn't really fit your needs? Your garage is YOUR garage, and it needs to fit your needs.

I built my own cabinets because I had scrap lumber and could build much nicer cabinets cheaper than I could afford to buy them. And, they are custom fit to my garage.

 

[darkk]

Try your local IKEA for butcher block counter tops:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10146525#/80145749/

 

[Kevin54]

Check this thread for ideas http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50406

 

[73 Mustang Bill]

I was faced with the same issue as well. I have an old workbench with a laminate top that I built 20 years ago, and that's where I do any heavy work. It's a little meesy right now, but you get the idea.

I also have some cabinets with a work surface along one wall. It's just were
stuff gets thrown awaiting it's final destination, etc. The work surface is Click-Lock flooring (It's from China so I call it "Crik-Rok"). I wouldn't rebuild a transmission on it, but it's fine for everyday chores and storage. I have a sink at the end that I picked up on sale at Homer for $50, likewise for the faucet.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Craigslist... I saw some used kitchen cabinet doors today going for a buck apiece. Just depends on how patient you are for a good deal. I'd look around for someone doing a kitchen remodel in your area. I scored some cabinet doors for free that way.

 

[Praxis]

Try your local IKEA for butcher block counter tops:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10146525#/80145749/

Also check their as-is dept; I got a couple of nice butcher block tops cheap that way (24x39 and 39x49).

 

[Red Leader]

Another way to go more 'custom' is to buy a bunch of 2x4s or even 1x1s (HD sometimes culls their lumber and you can find some ultra cheap that would still work okay) and then either just do a natural finish or find a formica laminate.

I found my formica laminate (a little beat up, but just on the edges that I will cut off anyway) for $2. So for about $15 (estimating cost of wood), you can buy a nice cheap but sturdy bench.

Add in just a little more for screws and glue/finish.

 

[Autometer]

Here's one I built with spare wood laying around. I didn't realize how heavy it was when I tried to kill myself moving it inside. lol

 

[On Edge]

I made the stationary ones out of 2x4's and 1/2" sheets of MDF. You can use all the tools that you have listed to pretty much about anything. The modular cabinet (one on the right) is made out of 1x2 for the shell and wrapped with 1/2" MDF. I just painted them rustoleum red and black.

Now my top cabinets I found these at a builder supply place that was going out of bussiness and they had an auction. I got each 4' wide cabinets for $25 ea.

I do think that if you are patient you can find close to what you are looking for on craigslist or another place. You just have to hunt and keep your eyes open.

 

[sscustom]

im currently building my 3rd workbench iv found that you can build one for more than half the cost of a bought workbench

 

[ed_v]

Nice job, those look fantastic!!

I made the stationary ones out of 2x4's and 1/2" sheets of MDF. You can use all the tools that you have listed to pretty much about anything. The modular cabinet (one on the right) is made out of 1x2 for the shell and wrapped with 1/2" MDF. I just painted them rustoleum red and black.

Now my top cabinets I found these at a builder supply place that was going out of bussiness and they had an auction. I got each 4' wide cabinets for $25 ea.

I do think that if you are patient you can find close to what you are looking for on craigslist or another place. You just have to hunt and keep your eyes open.

 

[dwljpl]

Well, after weeks of looking around and having no luck scoring any old cabinets on Craigslist, I decided to build my own. I went with a 2x4 frame clad with 3/4 cabinet grade plywood and bottom shelf. 1"x2"'s and a 1"x4" for the face. A prefabbed countertop and then some wood glue, nails and galvanized screws I had laying around.

Total cost was: $102.73.

It could be a little prettier since I don't have a table saw and it does still need a back and doors but at least some of my **** is now off the floor. I will probably build a second shelf in the interior at least on one side. Not sure if I'll paint it yet or not either.

Outside dimensions are 96" x 24" x 35".

 

[dittle fart around]

Looks great nice job. Find some aluminum sliding door track. With the back set 2X4 in the middle 4 sliding doors would be great. Easy to do and takes less space than hinged doors.