analysis paralysis on Cabinets for the garage.

[Houey]

Bah.. I could go on an on, but what I really have come down to...

Comparing the MonkeyBars Cabinets (similar look to Workspace/UltiMate, but soft-close hinges and they are supposed to be more heavy duty (1 inch shelving, powdercoated)> cost is steep however, so I am hoping to hear of anyone else on earth that is using them and feedback.

Link
http://www.monkeybarstorage.com/garage-cabinets/construction


vs

NewAge "Pro" steel cabinets. Which I can order and install myself for less than 1/2 the cost of the MonkeyBars cabinets (dealer franchise only). But I am hesitant on their "Chinese" origin of the NewAge stuff.

My instinct tells me steel will hold up better to my clumsiness (spill gear oil,sealer,you name it)

Really looking to see if anyone can provide a review on the Monkeybars cabinets.. are they really that tough?

thx.. sorry for the newb-ness
H.

 

[rhastings80]

Looks like Joe homeowner run of the mill stuff to me. If you want heavy duty I would personally look at Strong Hold Cabinets, Vidmar or Lista. Guess it just depends how much you want to spend. You get what you pay for if buying new. Maybe you can find a deal on Craig’s list or something.

take a look at this thread
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55006

 

[drmarkr]

New Age any day over the laminate.

You saw this I'm guessing?
http://m.costco.com/NewAge-10-piece...Garage-Cabinetry-Set--.product.100086985.html

 

[billmanweh]

I just put in a set of the NewAge Pro cabinets and love them. I only compared them to Craftsman and Gladiator stuff and it was a no brainer.

 

[GarageTalkGuy]

Have you considered the options available on www.GarageCabinets.com? They offer powder coated garage cabinets that are tough, durable, carry a good warranty, and look great too. Just another option to consider...

 

[retfr8flyr]

Another vote for NewAge cabinets. I installed the NewAge Diamond Plate Pro cabinets in my garage last year and I have been very happy with them. I think they are a good compromise between the light weight stuff and the real heavy duty cabinets, like Lista.

 

[dittle fart around]

If you want heavy duty I would personally look at Strong Hold Cabinets, Vidmar or Lista.

Strong Hold Cabinets are built for industrial sites and government use, they will out live you and your kids. Stanley Vidmar owns Lista they also are government issue. You'll find these at every Navy, Army and Air Force base in the US and abroad. As always you get what you pay for.
In your own garage are you paying for what you want or what you need, or what someone else thinks is cool? I've seen lots of garages that fit peoples needs with nothing more than recycled kitchen cabinets.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

That stuff is nice, but for $3500.00 I'll keep my freebie Adelphia Steel Equipment cabinets & get something good done on the project car. I have a garage, not a TV show Mancave. I'm not knocking having a nice garage, just saying mine is not nice or fancy. Kinda like me...

Tommy

 

[GarageWarrior]

You can buy surplus office filing cabinets and blueprints for a lot less. They are metal, hold a-lot of stuff, keep things clean and accessible, and stand up well to abuse.

 

[sinr98]

Another vote for the New Age cabinets. I just put mine in and they are pretty nice for the price.

 

[Houey]

New Age any day over the laminate.

You saw this I'm guessing?
http://m.costco.com/NewAge-10-piece...Garage-Cabinetry-Set--.product.100086985.html

I did see that actually, and I am costco member. However, Samsclub seems the way to go so I am going get a membership there and then making a purchase. My next worry will be getting the cabinets off the curb and into the garage I am hoping a good dolly, a few friends, and ample beer will assist.

Thanks for the feedback on the newAge stuff.

Strong Hold / Lista / even Bald Head exceed my fanciness factor ie my income bracket.

I did talk with GarageCabinets.com, but was looking at 5K for a comparable design. They were very helpful however.

Actually, everyone has been extremely eager and helpful. My local Monkeybars rep, Garagecabinets.com, garagecabinetsonline.com, ...all super helpful.

 

[billmanweh]

You might check overstock.com

With the 10-15% coupons out there, they had the best price when I ordered mine.

I'll try to post a picture later...

 

[shaun oriold1]

The Monkeybars product is made by a friends of mine's business. HE also makes my wooden garage cabinets which is why I can talk intelligently on them. They're really nice, have a ton of colour, and size options, and are super high quality - and have a lifetime warranty in fact.

Here is one example of one I did a 3-4 years ago. -Still looks brand new.
http://www.houzz.com/photos/2399254/Karls-Garage-traditional-garage-and-shed-toronto


The steel cabinets which are made in china are hit and miss. Some ( most) are super crappy thin wall sheet metal, have poor hardware (door hinges, and drawer runners) and are poorly put together, so the fit and finish isnt there.


IF you want steel cabinets, find some which are not made in china, or at least RTA. Anything pre-assembled and shipped from china should be a red flag. If they can afford to ship it on a boat, and pay for the empty air inside the pre-built cabinet, and yet still offer it at a good price, means they're saving money elsewhere..... Quality I would bet!

If you want to know specifics on the Monkeybars stuff, let me know. If you want the name of a local person ( wherever you are) I can ask my manufacturer who they can suggest. They might be more competitive since there wont be franchise fees.
Shaun

 

[sracer99]

I bought the New Age Pro from Overstock and consider them very high quality at a reasonable price. They are far better than any wood cabinets i have seen. They are also not Listas or SVs. Delivery was on time, they brought the pallet up to my garage doors, no problem to unload and install.

 

[ManCave]

I bought the New Age Pro from Overstock and consider them very high quality at a reasonable price. They are far better than any wood cabinets i have seen. They are also not Listas or SVs. Delivery was on time, they brought the pallet up to my garage doors, no problem to unload and install.

Did you find any coupons to save even more on the price? Which set of cabinets did you get? I'm considering the 14 piece set

 

[kngelv]

I would take my time and scour Craigslist. I have three Lyon cabinets like these - http://www.lyonworkspace.com/catalog/LYON_CAT_pg_24.pdf - they have welded frames are 14 guage and can hold almost 1500 lbs per shelf. I also have a two shift Stronghold that has a welded 12 guage frame and 14 guage shelves. The Lyon's are 36" x 24" x 78" and the Stronghold is 48" x 24" x 78". I have a grand total of $1200.00 for all four cabinets. They make New Age, Gladiator etc. look like tinfoil.

James

 

[Houey]

I am watching Clist regularly, but I want this project to get movement. If I am lucky enough to find some heavy steel cabinets I will try to ****** them up.

Like this... http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/tls/4650620387.html

How does one move a 900 pound cabinet? Will it fit in my sedan

 

[kngelv]

I am watching Clist regularly, but I want this project to get movement. If I am lucky enough to find some heavy steel cabinets I will try to ****** them up.

Like this... http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/tls/4650620387.html

How does one move a 900 pound cabinet? Will it fit in my sedan

You need a truck for one of the welded cabinets. I have moved them myself by taking the doors and shelves off. It's still pretty heavy but much more manageable. BTW the cabinet in the ad is way overpriced, especially without shelves.

James

 

[sands35]

IMHO, not sure why somebody wants to pay for a cabinet that can hold ~1,000 lbs per shelf. I guess if you wanted a place to store a half dozen engine blocks or something.

Sure, if I was running a machine shop and the cabinets held $50k of machine tool parts, tools and dies "Strong Hold" makes sense.

Assuming the OP is a typical home / hobby guy, that's a lot of money to tie up into storage.

Craig's list scores are awesome. I'd pick up a used high end one for the new retail price of a "common" brand if that was what I needed.

 

[kngelv]

I sometimes forget that not everyone lives in areas where this stuff is readily available. I live outside of Detroit where industrial type surplus is pretty easy to find.

James

 

[Houey]

there are occasional "finds" in the Dallas area. But competition is fairly high.
I am still waiting on my NewAge cabinets. its been two+ weeks and they are still "processing" . Not a good sign.

 

[Linda@Lista]

@Houey -I'm happy to answer any questions you may have and can perhaps help you narrow it down to what you need. Feel free to email me at [email protected].

 

[Linda@Lista]

@rhastings80 @retfr8flyr - Thanks for the mentions