Butcher Block and Harbor Freight Workbench 👏🏻

[gr8smiles]

A few weeks ago I asked about attaching a butcher block top to some Harbor Freight tool boxes. I wasn’t exactly sure of the best way to do it in my case. I’ve taking the wheels off of the two boxes to make them “permanent“ as I don’t intend to move them. I got some three-quarter inch plywood, cut it to fit, and glued the butcher block to the plywood. I don’t think it’s going anywhere. I weighted down with about 75,000 rounds of ammo. Here’s a few pictures to show. To the left of the workbench is my “freedom cabinet” that I got from American Workbench who advertise on this site. The Butcher block is from Bally and I got that from American Workbench also. Another butcher block should be here next week for another bench to the left of these.

Thanks for all the great ideas.

Rick

 

[hemiallen]

Looks great, where did you get the butcher block, and is it 72" long?

 

[gr8smiles]

Bought butcher block and the Vidmar ‘Freedom Cabinet’ from
https://www.americanworkspace.com/326-industrial-worktops
Top is 96” long

 

[dan360]

My favorite color for tool boxes and a beautiful setup. Great job!

 

[4Kings]

Can you give us a "tour" of that "Freedom Cabinet"...

 

[jon72vega]

can you give us a "tour" of that "freedom cabinet"...

^ x 2.

 

[bad_idea]

I like the bench and plan to build one myself. I already have one of the 'Series 1' boxes built into a work bench. It is a nuisance working at that bench because I can not get close enough to the bench. My feet hit the cabinet before I am at a comfortable distance from the bench top. I end up slightly bent forward at the waist while working. When I build the next bench with two of the 'Series 2' boxes I will build a base much like kitchen cabinets to allow me to stand closer to the bench.

 

[ScottsGT]

I like the bench and plan to build one myself. I already have one of the 'Series 1' boxes built into a work bench. It is a nuisance working at that bench because I can not get close enough to the bench. My feet hit the cabinet before I am at a comfortable distance from the bench top. I end up slightly bent forward at the waist while working. When I build the next bench with two of the 'Series 2' boxes I will build a base much like kitchen cabinets to allow me to stand closer to the bench.

Thanks for mentioning this. I’m about to start building one myself. Didn’t even give this any thought.

Back to the drawing board.

FYI: Global Industrial Supply also carries work bench grade butcher block tops at a little lower cost. 24 X 72 is $199 plus shipping.

 

[manwithtools]

Nice setup neighbor!

Let me restate that: "Extremely nice setup, neighbor"

 

[Magnum440d100]

Yo that’s nice!

Might just push me over the edge and do something similar... gonna have to wait until next years Black Friday sale though (for the boxes).

 

[ScottsGT]

There is a coupon out there for $429.99 right now. If you’re only buying one, why wait a year just to save $30? Picking mine up tomorrow.

 

[vtcat]

Very nice set up

 

[Magnum440d100]

There is a coupon out there for $429.99 right now. If you’re only buying one, why wait a year just to save $30? Picking mine up tomorrow.

I would be buying 3 or 4.

I can wait though. They usually go below $400 on Black Friday. Usually they are $479.99 around here. So that would be a savings of $320 and change.

If I would have known I would have liked the one I bought, I would have bought more last month when I bought mine....

 

[Strouty]

I have to say those blue boxes sure do look perdy.

 

[ddawg16]

hmmmm…………...that works

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have to say those blue boxes sure do look perdy.

I'd tend to agree.

OP, did it cross your mind to move the cabinets slightly farther apart and stick a side in the middle? Or did the available length of the butcher block limit that ?

 

[gr8smiles]

I was limited how much further to the left I could go by the length of the wall and my door going out back. I did do that on the other side of the door with the smaller 26” cabinets. That butcher block is not in yet, should be this week hopefully. The longer right side will be my general workbench, the left side will be dedicated to “freedom”.... that’s where I will do most of my general firearm maintenance repair and work… LOL
Most of this has evolved slowly as I’ve been trying to figure it out as I went. This forum has been incredibly helpful. I got the gladiator premium cabinets from Home Depot on sale, and they were easy to hang and have turned out to be quite useful.
Please excuse the mess on the left side cabinets, as I’m just now getting the right ones straightened out how I want them.

 

[Jumpman-Z]

Looks great! Just curious, what brand epoxy did you use on the floor, and how is it holding up so far?

 

[Mr. D]

Kind of getting lost in this thread as I'm trying to do the same thing.

1) What is the depth of your top? I'm trying to do 30"

2) What HF tool box is that? I'm looking at getting a set of 44" and butting them up together for a 8' workbench.

3) How high is your workbench? I'm thinking of leaving the wheels on the 44's so that is 40" before I add a 2"ish top. I don't do a lot of sitting at the workbench other than a stool.

 

[ScottsGT]

Kind of getting lost in this thread as I'm trying to do the same thing.

1) What is the depth of your top? I'm trying to do 30"

2) What HF tool box is that? I'm looking at getting a set of 44" and butting them up together for a 8' workbench.

3) How high is your workbench? I'm thinking of leaving the wheels on the 44's so that is 40" before I add a 2"ish top. I don't do a lot of sitting at the workbench other than a stool.

Leaving the wheels on, you will have a tall bench. Here's how I did mine:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414662

I'm right at 5'11" and this one is perfect height for me. My top was 24", but I added 3" with the red oak edging for 27" now. Of course mine is not up against a wall.

 

[Handyandy23]

Are the plywood pieces attached to the tool boxes, or just sitting on top in the recessed area?

Just curious with the vise on the butcher block, if the plywood isn't attached, how rigid is the vise if you're hammering on something? Is it enough weight to stay solid, or does it move / bounce at all?

 

[MooseKnuckles]

Sorry off topic but I really love the look of the wood on the walls as opposed to osb or drywall. What did you use?

 

[ScottsGT]

Are the plywood pieces attached to the tool boxes, or just sitting on top in the recessed area?

Just curious with the vise on the butcher block, if the plywood isn't attached, how rigid is the vise if you're hammering on something? Is it enough weight to stay solid, or does it move / bounce at all?

Top of the boxes do have holes that you could use lag bolts to hold things in place. Just remove the top few drawers for access.

 

[Lucky13driver]

I'd am almost done with my build. It's amazing how many guys have built workbenches using these HF 44" boxes. I really like the colors!

Here's a link to my build:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=408820

 

[exmaxima1]

FYI: Global Industrial Supply also carries work bench grade butcher block tops at a little lower cost. 24 X 72 is $199 plus shipping.

If you have a Menards nearby, the everyday price for 25 x 96 butcher block top is $179. Sometimes it's on sale for as low as $129. It's birch (rather than maple), but I've been very happy with mine.

 

[ScottsGT]

I wish we had them around the southeast. Wait, maybe not. I'd be even broker than I am!

 

[bradpac]

What is the height of that table top? Looks like a really nice setup, I'm trying to build something similar for a sit down desk, but I'm thinking this would probably put the top a little too high if my research is right, but it would be nice to have an actual measurement from one already in place.

 

[cderalow]

What is the height of that table top? Looks like a really nice setup, I'm trying to build something similar for a sit down desk, but I'm thinking this would probably put the top a little too high if my research is right, but it would be nice to have an actual measurement from one already in place.

the harbor freight 44" cabinets are around 34 or 35" high without the casters on them. 40" or so with the casters. Figuring that, puts top of counter at around 36" without casters or 42" with casters.

Higher than a typical desk (which is around 30"). Closer to a typical residential countertop height (which is around 36"). Lower than a typical bar height (around 42")


So no casters: 36"/residential kitchen counter height
with casters: 42"/typical bar height

normal desk height: 29-30"

 

[dfittizzi]

I don't know what I love more: the great setup you're building there, or the 75,000 rounds sitting on the bench...

 

[ScottsGT]

I don't know what I love more: the great setup you're building there, or the 75,000 rounds sitting on the bench...

I never noticed it was ammo! LOL!!

 

[Ign]

So I see the post is kinda old but I woulda allowed for a toe kick area. All kitchen cabinets do. But that's just me....

 

[Dodge]

I overlooked the toe kick when I rebuild my workbench with my new tool chest. I kick the base every time I walk up close to it. Too late now!

 

[dpr64]

Old thread but was wondering about the height of the uppers off the ground? Thanks..

 

[gmcgeo]

Now that you have had these in there for so long, Do you like that you have it recessed in like that? do you have issues with the first drawer getting tools out?

if you did it again would you bring it out flush with the end of the top?

 

[isb cornbinder]

Butcher-block? This is what I think of as a BUTCHER BLOCK. This magnificent maple block weighs close to 200 kilograms.

 

[FredWanaker]

old thread. I wonder how the tool boxes are doing or if they are rusting at the bottom.