Cabinet/workbench choices

[TuckinToyz]

I'm looking into storage cabinets and a workbench type set up. I'm on a budget, so I can't go all out, but I don't want to build stuff out of 2x4's and plywood either. I'm interested in the Tuff Duty collection by Coleman click here . Does anyone have experience with this, or have any similar suggestions?

 

[armoredsaintt]

they have it at target and lowes i believe, the quality in my opinion is sub-standard, check-out sears craftsman maybe? the cost isn't too bad.

 

[danski0224]

The garage cabinets I have looked at have all been poorly constructed high profit items. What I have seen has been MDF with a melamine veneer and almost paper thin metal on the doors with a diamond plate pattern.

The cost of these things isn't cheap, often approaching the cost of mid-line kitchen cabinets at Big Box Stores.

Someones old kitchen cabinets may be a better deal.

This place has some really useful shelving and toolboxes: http://www.listatoolboxes.com/index.html but I haven't priced anything out. There is much more in their catalog than what is online.

If you are going all out with the cabinet thing, the industrail shelving should be considered, because in the end, the price may be close. The Lista shelving is modular and there are tons of accessories that can be added later. It is also fireproof, and will not absorb oil or chemicals. There are "quick order" workstations like the workbench center section in your cabinet picture.

 

[ZRWON]

The garage cabinets I have looked at have all been poorly constructed high profit items. What I have seen has been MDF with a melamine veneer and almost paper thin metal on the doors with a diamond plate pattern.
The cost of these things isn't cheap, often approaching the cost of mid-line kitchen cabinets at Big Box Stores.
If you are going all out with the cabinet thing, the industrail shelving should be considered, because in the end, the price may be close. The Lista shelving is modular and there are tons of accessories that can be added later. It is also fireproof, and will not absorb oil or chemicals. There are "quick order" workstations like the workbench center section in your cabinet picture.

Here's the guy I plan to use. http://home.comcast.net/~thegaragefanatic/index.html
He's located in the Pacific NW, but there's a link on his web site to his manufacturer. He's done 3 installations of custom cabinest for my friends covering from 15' to 35' of walls. His prices including shipping and installation have all been more that 15% less than Sears, Loew', Home Depot, etc. and the cabinet quality and strength are excellent. They come in either unpainted with a smooth finish ready to be painted to your exact color scheme, or the white Melimine.
All three of my friends left the cabinets unpainted and I plan to not paint mine. Best of all you get the exact cabinet sizes needed vs trying to force-fit the Box Store brand's "one size fits all" into your needs.

 

[byrdman]

I thought the Coleman stuff was a little hokey too. I've seen it at the local Lowe's. To me it looks like it was made to appear sturdy instead of actually being sturdy.

 

[a462goat]

I also have seen all the mainstream cabinets out there, and like their appearance, but think that they are lacking in strength and question their longterm durability.

I am going to build my own, with my retired father's help. He has the ultimate woodshop, time to put him to work

I will try to replicate the diamond plate style that I have seen, but it will be much cheaper and stronger. Also custom built, to my size specifications.

G

 

[bobx]

if youve got the $$ - lista is the way to go.

but be warned.

it isnt cheap.

try ebay for lista cabinets. usually some on there.

later

 

[gb387]

if youve got the $$ - lista is the way to go.

but be warned.

it isnt cheap.

try ebay for lista cabinets. usually some on there.

later

Like the build a bench feature on their web site but you are right, better open up your wallet.

 

[jvo]

My own personal take on garage cabinets. I have used kitchen cupboards a couple times already. The uppers, I really like. The lowers, I will never do again, for this reason only. Whatever I see when I open the cabinet doors on a 24" deep cupboard is what I use. I don't have the discipline to dig to the "back" of the cupboard on a regular basis. When I do, on maybe a semi-annual basis, I find "lost" stuff that I forgot I had. Upper cabinets are only about 12" deep or so, what you see when you open the door, is everything. The other reason I won't use lowers, is I only need about 4 feet of ACTUAL workbench. Any more just collects stuff that looks like hell. Here's what I have been meditating on for some time now. I'd like to build an upper cabinet, say, "approximately" 5,maybe 6 feet wide,(possibly even more) with no doors on it, but install a Peka roll shutter on the front. Inside would be some pegboard, and some shelves. At the end of the work day, roll the shutter down, nice clean look, and passers by when I open the garage door cannot see stuff that they'd like to come and get when I am not at home. (Anyone else have a phobia of leaving your garage door open, when kids walk by in the alley?) Anyway, I'd like to know if anyone else has already done this, and how did it work out?

 

[holland_patrick]

I used cabinets from HD It wasn't made for the gargage but for the money they work well. I can't complan about them at all the only thing i need to do get get some replacement handles for the cheep plastic ones. (they even have a small one for between the double garage doors perfect for my detailing supplies)

Stock white cabinets

 

[dodgecharger-fan]

Here's the guy I plan to use. http://home.comcast.net/~thegaragefanatic/index.html
He's located in the Pacific NW, but there's a link on his web site to his manufacturer. He's done 3 installations of custom cabinest for my friends covering from 15' to 35' of walls. His prices including shipping and installation have all been more that 15% less than Sears, Loew', Home Depot, etc. and the cabinet quality and strength are excellent. They come in either unpainted with a smooth finish ready to be painted to your exact color scheme, or the white Melimine.
All three of my friends left the cabinets unpainted and I plan to not paint mine. Best of all you get the exact cabinet sizes needed vs trying to force-fit the Box Store brand's "one size fits all" into your needs.

I looked at GSC a couple of years ago. Great concept. They didn't have any dealers in Canada. I asked if I could be the first and they said they weren't ready.
One of the principals - at least I think he was - has left the company and started up his own deal. http://www.mitchellgcs.com/

 

[RedRacer74]

I would recommend looking at the
www.craftline.us website. The cabinets are steel with a red or black finish and are made in North Haven Ct. and they will ship. They are the affordable type and will look great for the average garage nut that has a reasonable budget.
I am going to be installing them in my garage soon. They are of good quality and look great. The cabinets are stackable and they also make , nut bolt bins, tables, toolboxes, and many other storage products for spray cans and more. I will post some pics when I get a chance.

 

[OH-MAN]

I have had custom cabinets built in my last two homes. Some places only build on set size cabinets and that was not what I wanted.
The builder I used worked with me and followed my plan as some were deeper than others and I am happy with the result.

 

[crobinso]

I'm looking into storage cabinets and a workbench type set up. I'm on a budget, so I can't go all out, but I don't want to build stuff out of 2x4's and plywood either. I'm interested in the Tuff Duty collection by Coleman click here . Does anyone have experience with this, or have any similar suggestions?

I bought my Coleman cabinets from Lowes. $750 and I had to assemble them!

I left an open space under the hutch and desktop so that I could put a chair. This lets me have a real desk. Neat.

Charles

 

[Baketech]

If you are on a budget, you can make the Craftsman stuff go a long way by using a little creativity. The unit below is frequently on sale in the stores for $79.95. It has 4 drawers and a larger door on the other side.

Buy two of them, and install both sets of drawers in one unit. This way you end up with a servicable bench with 8 drawers for $160. You can assemble the other unit using the doors, and give it to your father-in-law....

 

[danski0224]

When pricing cabinets that are "assembly required", do not forget to factor in a per hour value on your time spent assembling them. Sometimes the "deal" isn't as good as it appears, especially when you use a fair hourly rate for your time.

 

[Baketech]

Bah...if we did that, we'd never never start any interesting projects...

 

[TuckinToyz]

I bought my Coleman cabinets from Lowes. $750 and I had to assemble them!

I left an open space under the hutch and desktop so that I could put a chair. This lets me have a real desk. Neat.

Charles

How do you like the quality of the shelving system?

Also, is anyone familiar with Metal Line Cabinets ? They like pricey, but really nice!

 

[LeftProp]

I know I am coming in on the end of this thread but I have to jump in.

I have been working with many homeowners new and old and it's amazing how they decide on cabinets and storage solutions.

Some people like their garages to look like 'Shops' where the tool boxes resemble tool boxes and not cabinets (hence lista, snap-op, craftsman, etc)

Some people like their garages to look like organized work areas and love cabinets not tool boxes (hence - GSC (which by the way is a melanine product - not so good), Lowes, Home Depot, etc).
***For those persons looking for 'cabinets' you really need to check out Slide-Lok cabinets (www.slidelok.com). From real plywood, excellent packing and assembly instructions, ease of installation and overall quality/price - you will not be unsatisfied.

Hope this little spin on cabinets helps alittle. By the way, if you are wanting wall storage suggestions/ideas - check out www.storewall.com

 

[crobinso]

How do you like the quality of the shelving system?

Also, is anyone familiar with Metal Line Cabinets ? They like pricey, but really nice!

They are made by O'Sullivan, a manufacturer of inexpensive pressed board cabinets. The cabinets hold about 65 pounds max, but I don't have anything that heavy to place in my cabinets.

The fit & finish isn't perfect, but from more than 5 feet away you can't determine that. Assembly was good, if lengthy - all parts were there and were in good condition. Nothing broke while I pieced them together.

For economic storage, the price I paid for a whole set of cabinets beats, by far, just one cabinet from a manufacturer that another reader posted. If you want, you could always paint the cabinets to any color your desire.

Charles

 

[crobinso]

Some people like their garages to look like organized work areas and love cabinets not tool boxes

I don't do maintenance on my new car - it is still under warranty. I take it to the dealer for that. I DO like to keep my car detailed, for which I have dozens of bottles of cleaners and polishes. To hide these bottles, I need cabinets and not tool boxes.

So to those who think that the presence of cabinets in a garage do not define a REAL garage, think about what the car owner likes to do with his car before dissing him because that's not what YOU do.

Charles

 

[rickairmedic]

Hi guys first post here but I couldnt resist getting in on this one for cheap solid garage cabinets and workbench bases I prefer older metal kitchen cabinets .If you get ahold of a few of the cabinet places locally they usually toss out the old cabinets so other than some paint ( your color choice ) and something too make the bench top out of and of course a little travel expense which you would have anyways these cabinets are FREE .


Rick

 

[rickairmedic]

Ok one more post for tonight while on the subject of garage storage space I figured this might work for some folks like me I have a set of stairs leading too my basement in my garage when I measured it I found I had 40 square feet of floor space and storage space going too waste so my solution was too weld up a couple of lofts for shelving over the stairwell. maybe this idea will help somebody else in here .



Rick

 

[Wile1Coyote]

If you are on a budget, you can make the Craftsman stuff go a long way by using a little creativity. The unit below is frequently on sale in the stores for $79.95. It has 4 drawers and a larger door on the other side.

Buy two of them, and install both sets of drawers in one unit. This way you end up with a servicable bench with 8 drawers for $160. You can assemble the other unit using the doors, and give it to your father-in-law....

I actually have two of these end to end which gives me a 10 foot bench 8 drawers and 2 cabinets. The galvanised top is easy to keep clean too. With my Craftsman club discount and one of them being a scratch and dent I got the pair for $145.

 

[trovato]

Is this the unit you guys are talking about?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00959831000

If it is, I guess the 109.99 isn't such a good deal.

 

[Wile1Coyote]

Yes that is it, however if you are a craftsman club member you get an additonal 10% off of that, which would make it like $99.

 

[dodgecharger-fan]

Following that link to Sears, I see that they carry the Stack-On line of cabinets for the garage. I couldn't find them on the Stack-On website though. Hmmm.

If the quality is anything like the Stack-On tool chest, I'd seriously consider these cabinets.

I bought my tool chest at Costco a couple of years ago, and I haven't seen anything close to the quality at the price point since. For the record, I test quality by opening a drawer and shaking it from side to side. If it doesn't feel sturdy, it's not good quality.

 

[DynoDave]

That would make a nice bench, Jon. (I should have noticed when I was there, but was too busy drooling over the lift!)

I built my first set of benches (still have them, 3 shops and 2 states later). I had always planned on turning the empty space under them into some sort of organized storage (more than they are), but never quite got around to it (over the last 18+ years!). While the Scottsman in me doesn't want to spend the bucks for something pre-made, I think experience is telling me this is the best way for me to go in the future.

 

[Wile1Coyote]

I'm sure you looked right at em Dave and couldn't even seem em with all the 'stuff' that was on em. I've been cleaning. Took the day off of work recently actually and did nothing but clean the toolbox for 8 hours and down some frosties. Now that is a good day.

 

[DynoDave]

As hot as it's been, the refreshments are an essential!

 

[Wile1Coyote]

Yeah actually it was so hot I only had one beer and then switched to Orange Crush as it cools ya better. How sad is that eh? Getting old....

 

[BetterDays]

Is this the unit you guys are talking about?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00959831000

If it is, I guess the 109.99 isn't such a good deal.

Not a bad idea for one of the benches that I need

But, I still need one with an open bottom to place larger items out of the way.

Also, this item makes a nice portable bench, complete with beer holder

 

[///Mracer]

Ok one more post for tonight while on the subject of garage storage space I figured this might work for some folks like me I have a set of stairs leading too my basement in my garage when I measured it I found I had 40 square feet of floor space and storage space going too waste so my solution was too weld up a couple of lofts for shelving over the stairwell. maybe this idea will help somebody else in here .



Rick

good idea.