Build a better workbench
- Thread starter skullhead
- Start date
Lucky Strike
Well-known member
OK, so, like I said I started on putting together the design for the cheep shelves / work bench and cabinets unit I saw in Work Bench mag.
I'm basically following the design in WB with modifications as I go. One thing I've done is ditch the idea of putting in those sliding wire baskets on the shelf below the work bench. Those suckers are like $20 ea. for the cheep ones,... which is still $60 too much for me. (WB used three of them)
So I had some left over MDF from making the work bench top, one big slab and a couple of thin scraps. So for an investment of $14 I got two bottom mount drawer sliders, screwed and glued the thin scrap to the slab and made a pull out tool tray. This way I can have all my most frequently used tools right at hand and will be able to get at them without even moving from the work bench.
I'm basically following the design in WB with modifications as I go. One thing I've done is ditch the idea of putting in those sliding wire baskets on the shelf below the work bench. Those suckers are like $20 ea. for the cheep ones,... which is still $60 too much for me. (WB used three of them)
So I had some left over MDF from making the work bench top, one big slab and a couple of thin scraps. So for an investment of $14 I got two bottom mount drawer sliders, screwed and glued the thin scrap to the slab and made a pull out tool tray. This way I can have all my most frequently used tools right at hand and will be able to get at them without even moving from the work bench.
Last edited:
Hi guys, I'm new to this board, but I came across this post and I wanted to show you what I've done. Sorry everything is a mess, but I haven't cleaned up from the last couple of projects.
I read in this post that the metal shelves are about $75, I built my entire workbench for less than that by using 2x4's and 3/8" plywood. Then I painted it all red to match.
The drawers under the bench was a dresser I got for $5 at a yard sale. I measured the space I had and just cut the legs off the dresser and then put the base back on the cabinet.
Because I sometimes have a mess on my countertop, I made a pull-out shelf for emergencies. I always clean that up and slide it away so that I always have it available if I need it. I also covered the top with 22 ga. stainless steel that I got from a recycling yard. It's thin, but everything cleans right off of it. It is painted gray and seems to be holding up very well.
I read in this post that the metal shelves are about $75, I built my entire workbench for less than that by using 2x4's and 3/8" plywood. Then I painted it all red to match.
The drawers under the bench was a dresser I got for $5 at a yard sale. I measured the space I had and just cut the legs off the dresser and then put the base back on the cabinet.
Because I sometimes have a mess on my countertop, I made a pull-out shelf for emergencies. I always clean that up and slide it away so that I always have it available if I need it. I also covered the top with 22 ga. stainless steel that I got from a recycling yard. It's thin, but everything cleans right off of it. It is painted gray and seems to be holding up very well.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Hi guys, I'm new to this board, but I came across this post and I wanted to show you what I've done. Sorry everything is a mess, but I haven't cleaned up from the last couple of projects.
I read in this post that the metal shelves are about $75, I built my entire workbench for less than that by using 2x4's and 3/8" plywood. Then I painted it all red to match.
The drawers under the bench was a dresser I got for $5 at a yard sale. I measured the space I had and just cut the legs off the dresser and then put the base back on the cabinet.
Because I sometimes have a mess on my countertop, I made a pull-out shelf for emergencies. I always clean that up and slide it away so that I always have it available if I need it. I also covered the top with 22 ga. stainless steel that I got from a recycling yard. It's thin, but everything cleans right off of it. It is painted gray and seems to be holding up very well.
I like that slide out work surface idea of yours, I will be trying to incorporate thar into my main bench as well!
Lista & other brands will work but if you really want a brand to deal with go to www.rousseaumetal.com
DatacomGuy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2008
- Messages
- 70
Wow, great projects guys. I think I'm going to try to do this too, myself!!
Nice work on your bench. I like the doors and overall finished look.
I did one similar 5 yrs ago and it served me well. Bought 6' wide steel storage racks at HD I think - they were on close-out sale for $79.99 a piece. They have like a 5k or 10K load rating and are very solid. I got two of them and put one in front of the other so the bench had 36" depth or so. I bolted the back one to the wall and then bolted the front one to the back one. Finally, I cut off the front vertical post on the front bench for easier side access and vise mounting. It was topped off with SS panels from an elevator that I found at a local Mill Supply house. Total cost of materials was under $200 and it was rock solid.
I liked the storage it had. Full bottom shelves held a ton of **** and the top rear bench (against the well) had a shelf as well. Just a really simple and efficient/economical design. I didn't even think to add doors as you did - very smart idea. I just gave it to a friend so I will suggest this mod to him as well.
AndrewT
I did one similar 5 yrs ago and it served me well. Bought 6' wide steel storage racks at HD I think - they were on close-out sale for $79.99 a piece. They have like a 5k or 10K load rating and are very solid. I got two of them and put one in front of the other so the bench had 36" depth or so. I bolted the back one to the wall and then bolted the front one to the back one. Finally, I cut off the front vertical post on the front bench for easier side access and vise mounting. It was topped off with SS panels from an elevator that I found at a local Mill Supply house. Total cost of materials was under $200 and it was rock solid.
I liked the storage it had. Full bottom shelves held a ton of **** and the top rear bench (against the well) had a shelf as well. Just a really simple and efficient/economical design. I didn't even think to add doors as you did - very smart idea. I just gave it to a friend so I will suggest this mod to him as well.
AndrewT
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DatacomGuy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2008
- Messages
- 70
I like that idea of building a cabinet out of shelves- sturdy and relatively quick. I would paint the lower bench to match your wall cabinet. One thing I did for my workbench that has 2 1/2''x 12'' planks is to rabbet the front and top edge for 2''x2''x 3/16'' angle iron. It really protects the front edge from abuse.
Rickochet
Well-known member
Skully--- Good job! We are waiting on your pictures!
Lyaec350
Well-known member
Dunno if I've posted mine in this thread before, but here it is...
And here is the pic build thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15032
And here is the pic build thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15032
black88coupe
Active member
Looks good! Nice and sturdy. My workbench is made out of scrap material. It'll hold most anything. I weigh 230lbs. and i can stand on it all day.
Finished building this today, made with some 8 foot lengths of 2x12, 4x4 and lag bolts:
Crooked Beat
Active member
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2010
- Messages
- 29
This is an old thread, but I just came across the Workbench magazine plans. Has anyone else made these cabinets?
Comments?
Comments?
OK, so, like I said I started on putting together the design for the cheep shelves / work bench and cabinets unit I saw in Work Bench mag.
I'm basically following the design in WB with modifications as I go. One thing I've done is ditch the idea of putting in those sliding wire baskets on the shelf below the work bench. Those suckers are like $20 ea. for the cheep ones,... which is still $60 too much for me. (WB used three of them)
So I had some left over MDF from making the work bench top, one big slab and a couple of thin scraps. So for an investment of $14 I got two bottom mount drawer sliders, screwed and glued the thin scrap to the slab and made a pull out tool tray. This way I can have all my most frequently used tools right at hand and will be able to get at them without even moving from the work bench.
Wingnut65
Well-known member
It looks nice for a second work surface for light work, electronics, etc, but I can't see it holding up to any pounding or heavy duty fabrication.
Thanks for bringing this back to life. I haven't made it back that far in the archives yet.
Thanks for bringing this back to life. I haven't made it back that far in the archives yet.