Harbor freight 44" bench build

[Robert Haas]

My best friend was so enamored with the rolling bench I built

He asked if I would do something like that for him.

So I will

Starting with a HF 44" 13 drawer box this time. he is not as tall as I am and prefers a more traditional 40" tall bench height I had to rethink my design and keep the same features of the previous build.

Well enough yacking.

so this is the beginning of the frame, note the drop down section where the tool box will sit

 

[Robert Haas]

the totes he chose are the same as mine with the exception of using some deeper ones as well. so I uses 12" sections of 2x2 L bar


you can see in this shot one of the two receivers this bench will get for his vise to use. (he will be using this mount for a grinder and a polishing station

 

[Robert Haas]

I'll post up more tomorrow after I get more work done on it.

 

[bullnerd]

Don't you have a kick azz welding table, and your welding on an old door? LOL! (don't get me wrong, my main bench is a solid core door!)

Looking forward to seeing the finished bench.

 

[dirt_dobber]

wow - I wish you were near me here in central TX. What part of the country are you in?

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

just out of curosity what combination of steel are you using? I think i see some 1x1 square and maybe some 1x3?

 

[Robert Haas]

Northern California.

1x2 and 1x1 all .120 wall

I have a fab table but it is too small to build on so doors and a set of saw horses will have to do

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Northern California.

1x2 and 1x1 all .120 wall

I have a fab table but it is too small to build on so doors and a set of saw horses will have to do

Thank you!! i have a couple waterloo cabinets i want to do something similar with

 

[tarbellb]

How far north? Im up here in Chico!

Anyways, your pics are showing up again? Have you tried Tinypic.com, seems to work every time for me.

Looks great btw! (only see the first photo)

 

[Brad Beam]

Sub'd

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Subscribed.

 

[Robert Haas]

got quite a bit done today.

gutted the box and lifted it into the frame.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=613590&stc=1&d=1483973477



The back of this bench will house a small air compressor. I am going to enclose it in a sound proof cab. It will be hard wired and hard plumbed to the bench itself. I laid out the mounts and installed threaded inserts in the cross member for the compressor. It will be rubber mounted

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=613591&stc=1&d=1483973477

 

[Robert Haas]

I also built the rear floor, installed the roll stops and casters, and began the shelf layouts for the can caddy on the left side.

I also finished up some of the exterior welding.

 

[Robert Haas]

Wiring, plumbing and paint should send this one down the road.

 

[hiredgun58]

I see no pics ?

 

[sanddan]

I don't see the pics either.

I just finished a rolling bench using the 44" box too.

 

[kkroger]

One pic then the rest don't work... Same in that other thread then it got fixed....
Oh Well, Let me know when the pics work! Please!

 

[Robert Haas]

pics fixed

 

[b-dog]

So cool! Thanks for posting. I wish I had more time, I'd love to build something like this!
Subscribing.

 

[CNGsaves]

Looking good !!

Curious about the . . Roll Stops . .do those slightly lift the box ?? Any more pics or information ??

 

[Robert Haas]

Looking good !!

Curious about the . . Roll Stops . .do those slightly lift the box ?? Any more pics or information ??

no, if you set them up correctly they will still have a little compress ability of their internal spring.

 

[Broncoman75]

Looking good !!

Curious about the . . Roll Stops . .do those slightly lift the box ?? Any more pics or information ??

I dunno where the OP gets them, but they have similar at mcmasters
https://www.mcmaster.com/#floor-locks/=15u9ku2

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job. Looks great.

Mike.

 

[Mr_B]

Nice thought out design . will be good useful storage bench once done .

 

[Robert Haas]

compressor mounted, switch and outlets wired, cord reel mocked up.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...7432874attachmentid=614343&stc=1&d=1484232874

 

[Robert Haas]

finished up the door and hinge on the compressor locker. also skinned the that side of the box with 16 gauge cold rolled.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...484441231tachmentid=615071&stc=1&d=1484441231

skinning the box like this takes more time but letting the frame be exterenal allows it to take the majority of contact from the day to day shop abuse it will see.


should have the other side completed and the stainless top done soon. Then it time to paint this sucker.

 

[Boost Creep]

i like these benches. do the pull out drawers want to fall out easy? i see their angled down some in back

edit* just saw your other thread about the blue one and it answered my question good enough. lol. i may be borrowing a large portion of your design this summer since i've got a couple short hf lockers sitting around. would be a good use for em

 

[Robert Haas]

Got back to work on the bench yesterday. Made a lot of progress.


I added the rest of the sheet metal as well as built the door.

Shelf is completed notice the lack of a leg on the front left. this maximizes access through the door to the bottom shelf area. To allow this I over built the heck out of the shelf.

 

[flushcut]

Awesome build!!

 

[polexican23]

i think a remote controlled (key fob maybe, blue tooth voice command) that would shot a can of brake clean from the bottom shelf up to the bench top.

 

[Robert Haas]

Fab is now complete

Preparation for paint now starts.

De-grease, and finish sanding all rough points, then spray liberally with Metalprep 79

This stuff is magic. It just breaks my heart how it takes all that bright shiny metal and makes it look so distressed.

 

[Hammer1963]

Looks fantastic and great progress!

 

[Robert Haas]

It is in primer YIPPPEEEEEE


Had to turn my shop into a spray booth

 

[Robert Haas]

Hey,... It's RED

 

[wyo george]

Nice job.

 

[ilovevocs]

Cool build.

 

[Robert Haas]

All Done.

I really had a fun time building this one.

The feedback and general knowledge available for me from the members here is invaluable. It gave me much of the ideas I applied to this project, so for that I thank you all

 

[Hammer1963]

Awesome build!

 

[Mr_B]

That's nice, will post in my plans lol ...

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

Very nicely done!