2x4 basics

[Cheap5.0]

This stuff seems pretty neat! It may not be for everyone, but considering i could by one of these tables as a kit and give it to my mom to assemble its pretty cool!

http://www.2x4basics.com/

Anyone here use their products before?

 

[jasonreck71]

My buddy used the deckmate when he built his deck for added seating/railing...it was great...I would recommend

 

[MustangRick]

I have seen the flip top table at a place down the street, pretty cool. They move them around quite a bit for benches or tables.

 

[westray]

I have a workbench from them and i love it.

I do wish they had more ideas for a workbench tho.

 

[Cheap5.0]

I just wish the racking kit they sold was wider than 16"...kind of a shame.

 

[2manytoyz]

I've built two of their workbenches. Fantastic product. Each shelf is rated at 1000 lbs.

I have about 600 lbs of batteries on the top shelf of this first bench. These are used to store solar energy from my solar panels. It's been in use since 2007. No flex, no wobble. I also transported it assembled to the new house a few months back.

The more recent one I built, I skinned the 2x4s with 3/4" plywood, then 1/4" hardboard. Makes for a smooth workbench, and when the top wears out, simply replace the hardboard.

 

[bmfenn]

I used deckmates to build a bench off one side of my deck. I extended the backs higher, as I have a bar height railing, 3 deck boards deep as rail top tables.

 

[Jeff]

I have 2 of the workbench kits.

One kit was used for my main work table:

The second kit was used to make a table for my miter saw.

 

[solar_eclipse2]

I made my workbench with the kit and I also made two shelving units from them as well. They're really sturdy and inexpensive. They work really great if you need simple, custom, and inexpensive.

 

[jhelrey]

Their store locator is not working!

 

[JimVonBaden]

Their store locator is not working!

These look like a great alternative to a fully custom workbench, or a one size fits all standard workbench, but where to buy them, and how much are they?

Edit, Amazon and Lowes and HD have them.

Jim

 

[J Persons]

I usually use the kits from Simpson Strong Tie, but I'll have to look into these.

 

[Cheap5.0]

More popular here than i thought they would be!

Im going to give one of there shed kits a whirl in the spring for my mom. She has my poor dads garage corner all filled up with gardening tools.

Also i think i will give one of these a try for at work, we need another table for a miter saw and i like what i saw above

 

[J Persons]

what are the legs made of on the 2x4 kit?

 

[JimVonBaden]

what are the legs made of on the 2x4 kit?

http://www.2x4basics.com/WorkBench-Legs.asp

the materials are made of heavy-gauge resins and are impact- and solvent-resistant for long-term durability.

Jim

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I have seen those legs, I believe looking at Jeff's photo f his miter saw bench. Wondered what those were.

This stuff is neat. I have a back deck with no furniture because it's expensive and flimsy. This might be ticket. I'm definitely checking out the sheds too. Thanks for the link.

 

[El Barto]

Just an FYI, Northern Tool has the table and shelf kit for $69.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Anyone painted the molded legs instead of keeping the factory gray?


Edit: nevermind, the FAQ said painting it voids warranty

 

[solar_eclipse2]

These look like a great alternative to a fully custom workbench, or a one size fits all standard workbench, but where to buy them, and how much are they?

Edit, Amazon and Lowes and HD have them.

Jim

Amazon has the best prices on them by far. I ordered mine from amazon and got free shipping as an amazon prime member and had the whole shebang here in a few days.

 

[Cheap5.0]

Bumping this because i ordered that shed kit Sunday. Using amazon prime, it will be here tomorrow for $3 in shipping.

Ill take some pics, and post a update once i get it thrown together. Im not much of a craftsman, so this will be a real test of how easy these are to do

 

[Bob C]

Bumping this because i ordered that shed kit Sunday. Using amazon prime, it will be here tomorrow for $3 in shipping.

Ill take some pics, and post a update once i get it thrown together. Im not much of a craftsman, so this will be a real test of how easy these are to do

Really test your skill. Toss out the instructions.

 

[Cheap5.0]

lol, what am I crazy?

It took me a month to build a rack/shelf unit thats 30' wide and 8' tall out of 2x4's.

Seriously though, im not that bad...i just dont know all the short cuts and dont always have the right tools for the job when it comes to carpentry. I should be good to go this time though, got a nice chop saw and a nice driver.

 

[BionicSniper]

What are the advantages to this over just making your own legs? Speed?

 

[Cheap5.0]

What are the advantages to this over just making your own legs? Speed?

Most the people who like these are the people who cant build for **** (me).

 

[ponjohn]

DUH...why didn't I think of that?

Very cool.

 

[J Persons]

I prefer the Simpson Strong Tie kits, although I heard you can buy the components cheaper than the kit itself costs.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...rong+tie+bench+kit&storeId=10051#.UCA-iqPN6So

 

[OldracerJones]

Their store locator is not working!

You can order from Northern Tool. They are often on sale.

 

[vartz04]

I always build stuff like this the same way as the basic idea as that.

Build a box for the top, Build a box for the shelf or the bottom

Attach the legs to the bottom then the shelf then the top. Just square it up/plumb it as you go.

The woman want a laundry cart for when she is washing my clothes. Her dad built one simular for her mom but he used nails instead of screws and well its junk and falling apart. This one i can sit on.

What I built is essentially a work bench and it cost me about $15 not counting the casters. These are a gimmick cause you'd use about 2 more 2x4's ($5 max) to make the 4 legs and have something just as sturdy.

That said I like the concept its just too pricey for what it accomplishes.

 

[cheechi]

What are the advantages to this over just making your own legs? Speed?

Sometimes, working with framing lumber, outside in the garage/shop you get boards that are a little warped, or some edges aren't flat. Or you're cheap and you get the spray paint/markdown $1 & $2 scrap lumber from HD (I keep hearing Lowe's does this too but I never seen any scrap there). These kits make that matter less so if you have big pieces of scrap, you can still toss them together into something useful.

And sometimes, not naming anybody specific (me) you can measure 100% perfect every single cut, and they sit straight when you stack them, same height when you stand them up, and on the day you get help somehow magically you get 4 legs of 4 uneven lengths when you put the bench together.

here's a great writeup using the Simpson kit, it gives you a little more flexibility than the 2x4 Basics kit.

 

[bibman]

Menards sold those years ago. They work great and are heavy duty...I have two of the chairs and two of the benches....seven years on them and they're good as new.

 

[Cheap5.0]

Half way into the instructions (they are beat to hell from the shipping, many holes lol) and its a breeze. Just been cutting lumber out of my scrap pile to match the instructions needs, finally ran out of 2x4's yesterday and need to run out today to get the plywood and rest of the 2x4's.

So far, i like the kit. Instructions are pretty damn clear for me.

 

[CaptainMarvel]

Has anyone built a workbench out of the 2x4 Basics Legs using 2x6s
- be it for all levels or just the benchtop?

I found (google'd) the following image of a particular workbench configuration I like
- and I believe I will be trying to build mine very similarly (especially the top) ...

I just really like the "strength/feel" - and let's face it, LOOK - of this kind of configuration.

See the above "benchmaker's" BLOG PAGE for a few more images (which you can click to view larger) of his bench construction process - though, sadly, he doesn't provide a whole lot of details/specifics as to the materials and/or overall framework.

I do like the way he customized the bracing/support for his benchtop ...

Also, has anyone built in drawers for their 2x4-based bench?

I saw this image on the 2x4 Basics website, but I would very much like to hear from anyone here who has built in drawers or some other creative storage modification within your 2x4 Basics bench.

THANKS,

TOM

 

[CaptainMarvel]

The second kit was used to make a table for my miter saw.

Might you be able to describe how you built/modified the benchtop for the miter saw? I can't tell if those are 4x4s or some other size of lumber under which you attached the shelf for the miter saw.


Thanks !!!

 

[2manytoyz]

You can build your own from 2x4s, but to match the 1000 lb per shelf capacity of the kit, it'll be more than a knock together build.

In my previous post, I have almost 600 lbs of batteries on the top shelf going on almost 5 years.

The legs don't wobble or flex. Stable enough for me to stand on top of that same workbench to mount a cabinet on the wall behind it.

I often find the leg kit on sale at Northern Tool for $39 online. I print out the ad, drive to the local store, and they match the online price.

I added a third workbench to the opposite side of the garage using the 2x4 Basics kit. I did add a nice workbench top, but otherwise it's the no frills setup.

The area prior to the workbench addition (open shelving above). Note the 2x4 Basics box on the right.

Still needs a little organization under the bench, but getting there.

Good product!

 

[CaptainMarvel]

Okay, so I began building my "ultimate" workbench this week - utilizing my 2x4 Basics Legs+Shelf Links Kit I purchased. My "vision" was to build a 4'x8' workbench - like I've seen in images such as the ones below . . .

4'x8' Workbench with shelves, using (1) 2x4basics Workbench Legs kit, & (6) 2x4basics ShelfLinks, (18) 8' 2x4's, (1) 10' 2x4 and (3) 4'x8'x3/4" particle board

4'x8' Workbench using 2x6's

I have the frame of the bench put/clamped together (no MDF shelves/top yet), and I am shocked by just how wide 4 feet actually is. I mean, the bench will be set against a wall - and when I stand in front of the frame, I can barely reach past 2.5 feet across. I consider myself a "regular" sized guy - 5'8" with a normal arms-length/stretch . . . so I'm wondering how any "normal" sized person who builds one of these monsters would be able to reach anything that happened to be situated toward the rear of the bench.

Of course, I know I can simply reduce the length of the bench to 3.5' or 3.0' - which I may experiment doing just that (being that 2x6s and 2x4s are generally not terribly expensive (if I need to pick up a couple more)). I do, however, like a nice large workspace to be able to utilize/take advantage of - and I have a "envisioned" plan to expand the bench down the length of my garage wall - with customized (DIY build) a miter saw station in the middle. (note: I have a 12" sliding compound miter saw).

So, I suppose the obvious solution is to simply cut down the length of the boards .... but I thought I would throw my situation out there to see if any of you might have any thoughts, insight, suggestions, etc. (especially from those of you who may have built a similarly sized bench).


THANKS ... Looking forward to any feedback you can share/provide !!!



TOM

 

[Jeff]

Might you be able to describe how you built/modified the benchtop for the miter saw? I can't tell if those are 4x4s or some other size of lumber under which you attached the shelf for the miter saw.


Thanks !!!

Sorry about the late reply, I forgot about this thread.

Everything was done with 2x4's and 3/4" plywood. We used my Kreg Jig to make the frame for the saw.

Here's the pics I have of the project. The table size is 2' x 4' x 34-1/2".

 

[bdamico]

I don't think this will work for me. Must be my lumber yard, but they don't seem to carry 2x4s. They all seem to be around 1 3/4 x 3 1/2". Do you think I can still use this?

 

[CaptainMarvel]

Sorry about the late reply, I forgot about this thread.

Everything was done with 2x4's and 3/4" plywood. We used my Kreg Jig to make the frame for the saw.

Jeff . . . THANK YOU !!!!

The additional photos you posted totally clears everything up (for me, anyway) and shows me/us how you went about constructing your 2x4 Basics custom miter saw station. Now I'm even MORE totally excited about trying to incorporate this idea into my own crazy "uber workbench/workstation" envisioned creation.

(of course, now I gotta go out and get me a pocket hole jig )



MUCH THANKS AGAIN - both for the photos and the inspiration from your ingenuity !!!





TOM

 

[Jeff]

I don't think this will work for me. Must be my lumber yard, but they don't seem to carry 2x4s. They all seem to be around 1 3/4 x 3 1/2". Do you think I can still use this?

A 2x4 when measured is the size you wrote. You'll be fine.

 

[CaptainMarvel]

I don't think this will work for me. Must be my lumber yard, but they don't seem to carry 2x4s. They all seem to be around 1 3/4 x 3 1/2". Do you think I can still use this?

That sounds crazy that a lumber yard would not have 2x4s ... I mean, it seems to me that 2x4s are generally the most popular/widely utilized size boards for many projects.

Do you not have any Home Depot/Lowes type stores within your area?