My Workbench... inspired by the Steevo Bench

chrisBTSC · Mar 11, 2015

So, we moved into this current house about a year and a half ago. We are both in our mid-30's and have a couple kids. This will be the house we own for many, many years. It more or less is our dream house. Not to big, not to small. Has a pool and a 3 car garage. So anything I do to it, I do with quality in mind. I am also a bit of a perfectionist. I had wandered across this site about a year ago and spent many nights looking at peoples garages and planning for my own. Here is the start to my bench build.

I know a lot of people go the Harbor Freight 44" box route, but I really wanted a cut out area in between my boxes where I could have a place to sit, like a desk. With the space I had to work with, the harbor freight boxes were out. So, I bought these Craftsman ones. Two different sizes which will allow me to build it the way I want.

Once I got the boxes home, I opened them and got to work making 3D models of them in Solidworks. I then designed the rest of the bench frame around the boxes.

WORK%20BENCH%20ASSY.%201_zpsfx25zjvy.jpg

WORK%20BENCH%20ASSY.%202_zps5muxuwis.jpg

I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do for a top, but I have time. I'm just about ready to buy the steel for making the frame. I will update as progress continues.

jesse72 · Mar 11, 2015

Looks great, I think having a place to sit at the bench is the way to go.

bcos · Mar 11, 2015

Looks great! Good luck with the build.

Bill

sselander · Mar 11, 2015

Looking good, some have used Ikea butcher block for the top

Cutting IKEA butcher block - workbench project
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173090

donnymcarter · Mar 11, 2015

Nice idea! Should look awesome!

bikeguy5 · Mar 11, 2015

I really like the cut out area

Badasssapper67 · Mar 11, 2015

What is solidworks and is it easy to use? That would be awesome to be able to draw things out and have them be in scale and all...

Mantis806 · Mar 12, 2015

The plan looks nice. I like the cut out area for seating. I plan to do the same and was worried I wouldn't be able to accomplish that with the HF boxes. What kind of Craftsman boxes did you get? I was looking into the Heavy Duty grip latch ones

BearsFan315 · Mar 12, 2015

Like the Plans, looks great, can't wait to see the Build !!

I love a place to sit, many times while working i need to sit down sketch something out, read something, or just take a break and rest the legs.

Hornman · Mar 12, 2015

Badasssapper67 said:
What is solidworks and is it easy to use? That would be awesome to be able to draw things out and have them be in scale and all...

Solidworks is a professional level CAD program that is VERY expensive and takes a long time to learn. Try Google Sketchup, it's free and is less difficult to learn. Not easy, just less difficult.

BearsFan315 · Mar 12, 2015

Solidworks is owned per say by Dassault Systèmes and a license is pretty costly, a Student Version can be had for around $150 for qualified students, must have an edu address blah blah... Like above Knowledge and skill must be had to use it. does take skill and time to learn, and more to become skilled at it.

we use Autodesk Products here, been at it for over 20 years, and still learn something new every week, ever evolving products and technology !!

Google Sketch-Up is a Great Free tool, and pretty advanced in its own rights !! can also go Pro for a Price

chrisBTSC · Mar 12, 2015

Badasssapper67 said:
What is solidworks and is it easy to use? That would be awesome to be able to draw things out and have them be in scale and all...

Hornman said:
Solidworks is a professional level CAD program that is VERY expensive and takes a long time to learn. Try Google Sketchup, it's free and is less difficult to learn. Not easy, just less difficult.

BearsFan315 said:
Solidworks is owned per say by Dassault Systèmes and a license is pretty costly, a Student Version can be had for around $150 for qualified students, must have an edu address blah blah... Like above Knowledge and skill must be had to use it. does take skill and time to learn, and more to become skilled at it.

we use Autodesk Products here, been at it for over 20 years, and still learn something new every week, ever evolving products and technology !!

Google Sketch-Up is a Great Free tool, and pretty advanced in its own rights !! can also go Pro for a Price

I come from an Autocad 2D background. About 16 years ago I was hired at a company that uses Solidworks. I had no prior 3D modeling experience. I was able to learn it and use it well in a couple days. Not entirely difficult at all to learn if you can understand the concept of 3D modeling. Been using it ever since and love it's capabilities. It is not cheap though.

chrisBTSC · Mar 12, 2015

Mantis806 said:
The plan looks nice. I like the cut out area for seating. I plan to do the same and was worried I wouldn't be able to accomplish that with the HF boxes. What kind of Craftsman boxes did you get? I was looking into the Heavy Duty grip latch ones

Thanks,

Here are the two boxes I ended up going with

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-26-in-5-drawer-heavy-duty-ball/p-00937712000P?prdNo=2

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-40-inch-all-steel-nine-drawer-rolling/p-00901157000P?prdNo=3

wbrett102701 · Mar 14, 2015

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1426353932.837129.jpg

Here's my setup I'm soon going to be building a all stainless welding table, that my welder and vice will go on but this will do for the meantime

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chrisBTSC · Mar 23, 2016

Wow. Where has the time gone. Can't believe it's been over a year since I last updated this. Sometimes life gets in the way and things get pushed back further than you want. But, with that said. My bench is finally making more progress. I was able to bring it home yesterday after welding to test fit the boxes. Everything is looking good. Need to figure out my top now and mount it, then take it all apart and off to the powder coater.

cspcrx · Mar 23, 2016

Looks great. I want to build something similar. Keep the posts coming.

NewLogik · Mar 23, 2016

Nice work ! Do you have any closer shots ?

Is that a whole unit or you can take it all apart (the frame) in sections ?

chrisBTSC · Mar 23, 2016

NewLogik said:
Nice work ! Do you have any closer shots ?

Is that a whole unit or you can take it all apart (the frame) in sections ?

The frame is fully welded and one piece.

Richard Cranium · Mar 23, 2016

Chris, your bench sure looks nice.
I my self would not want the space for a desk, I feel it is wasted space. But to each their own, this is what makes G.J. great. We can like what other people have, but say if I was to do it in my garage I would do ...
Keep up the great work, Have you got a top for it yet?

LXCam · Mar 23, 2016

Looking good so far. What color PC are you going with?.

rattlesnake436 · Mar 23, 2016

hate solidworks used once and I failed this was back in HS

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MrBalll · Mar 23, 2016

Looks good so far.
Like, Richard Cranium, said, "to each their own." I personally would like to have somewhere to sit and be able to scoot into my table top. Get close to what I'm working on.

chrisBTSC · Mar 24, 2016

LXCam said:
Looking good so far. What color PC are you going with?.

I'm not 100% sure yet on color. Was thinking something like a hammered grey. I'm getting a good deal through a PC vendor I use at work so I'll have to see whats available.

chrisBTSC · Apr 8, 2016

Did a little more work. Actually, got my son out and he learned something new today. The kid is a good kid, but has no interest in "making things" which is really hard for me to grasp as I've always wanted to build and create. He's a computer whiz though which bores me to no end. He's 17 and he will not leave my house without knowing at least some basic things. He learned how to measure, center punch and drill in metal today. I might have even caught him smiling a couple times.

WarrenJ · Apr 8, 2016

^^Priceless^^

NUTTSGT · Apr 9, 2016

Congrats on getting Jr out in the garage and teaching him a things. :thumbup:

I like the spot to sit at the bench. Sometimes when you are drawing out plans, making a parts list or reading directions (rarity), it's nice to sit and take a break. Since you bought some Cman boxes, I'd suggest a stool of the same brand. I have two of them myself and they are good stools for the money, just wait till they go on sale and save yourself some cash.

chrisBTSC · Jul 12, 2016

Ok, another quick update. The project should be done by now, but I was in a semi serious motorcycle accident with a deer on May 1st. I went over the bars and broke my leg and tore ligaments in my ankle. Had to have surgery and got some new hardware.

And while I am still recovering I am able to hobble around on crutches enough to make a little progress. I dropped the bench frame off at the powder coaters last week, and dropped my butcher block bench top off at a local cabinet maker for some trimming to be done. I received my mounting feet yesterday. Almost done.

CN Spots · Jul 12, 2016

Ouch! That *****. Glad you're ok.

On the plus side... skull and crossbones tat AND a real scar? Sweeeet.

Hornman · Jul 12, 2016

Stabilized the little bone by screwing it to the big bone, yowee!! How long are they going to leave the hardware in?

Looking forward to seeing the newly powdercoated frame.

chrisBTSC · Jul 12, 2016

Hornman said:
Stabilized the little bone by screwing it to the big bone, yowee!! How long are they going to leave the hardware in?

Looking forward to seeing the newly powdercoated frame.

They screwed them together because of the extensive ligament damage I had in my ankle. The screws will break when I start walking again. Hopefully next week I will get to start walking. The hardware will stay in as long as it doesn't bother me.

bdbecker · Jul 12, 2016

chrisBTSC said:
They screwed them together because of the extensive ligament damage I had in my ankle. The screws will break when I start walking again. Hopefully next week I will get to start walking. The hardware will stay in as long as it doesn't bother me.

I've had one of those screws in my big toe going on 17 years now. Doc must have used red loctite when putting it in...

I can't wait to see how the bench turns out. I read through the SteeveO build too and keep dreaming about doing something similar down the road.

Ironhorse74 · Jul 12, 2016

Get well quick. Those rats with antlers don't mix well with motorcycles.

FANTM58 · Jul 12, 2016

That is very similar to what I use .
Except my bases are Craftsman work benches, topped with 3/4" MDF
then 11 ga. SS on top with a built in back splash.
This has worked out great !!

chrisBTSC · Jul 19, 2016

More progress was made today. This time with the butcher block top I have. I was originally going to have to have one custom made because of the depth of my bench. I had looked for an off the shelf solution that would work and any that I found would be very expensive, finally after months of searching I found a place about 100 miles away from me that would custom make me a top. I wasn't too thrilled about the cost, but it was the cheapest, best solution I found. I almost pulled the trigger and decided to check Ikea again. I either completely missed it the first time or its new product. But they now had something that would work. I would have to use two pieces but the cost was less than half of what I was going to pay for the custom one.

I had to do a little trimming of length on each piece. I found a local cabinet maker who agreed to make some precision cuts for me, he also put in some biscuits and draw bolts, then planed the tops flat for a very reasonable fee. I brought them home and today applied the first coat of tung oil.

chrisBTSC · Aug 2, 2016

UPDATE! I was able to pick up my frame from the powder coater yesterday. I went with a hammered grey and it turned out really nice. Although it is a little hard to photograph. Here are some progress pictures.

First step was to install the mounting feet so I could get the frame out of my truck and onto the ground.

Then we taped off all the sharp edges and lowered the empty Craftsman boxes into the frame.

Then the drawers were installed.

Butcher block top mounted.

bdbecker · Aug 2, 2016

Very nice!

NUTTSGT · Aug 2, 2016

Looking good. Where will it sit in the garage ?

72 Z27 · Aug 2, 2016

Where did you purchase the leveling feet from?

chrisBTSC · Aug 2, 2016

NUTTSGT said:
Looking good. Where will it sit in the garage ?

It's going to be up against the wall, actually where the two roll aways are at in the picture.

72 Z27 said:
Where did you purchase the leveling feet from?

jwwinco.com

They have all kids of different ones there and the prices are really good.

LX-Markham · Aug 2, 2016

Looks fantastic!

Despite the slow progress, you are still ahead of me. I've got my cabinets, and welding/work table almost done. It just needs paint and a SS worksurface (that will flip up and serve as a welding backsplash.)

can't stop staring at avatar.

My Workbench... inspired by the Steevo Bench

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