Help me decide - which tool chest / work bench combo!

[stev0258]

Hello

I sketched up two options in solidworks for my work area, trying to get a visual on what it will look like.

The two tool chests are US General, 44" (the beloved one) in the one and the taller 26" tool chest in the other.

If I got with the 44" tool chest I need an L-shaped bench to get the work area I want. The 26" I can do a 7' long straight bench.

I will add cabinets under the shelving at some point too, where there's room.

What do you guys think!??

Mark

 

[gearhead9056]

Why not put the box in the bench like such

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126086

Very popular bench here on GJ, if it were me I'd run a straight bench as I'd just clutter the corner


Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

 

[alinc100]

The Harbor Freight 44" toolbox actually measures 42 1/8" and the 26" box measures 26 3/4" so depending on your overall total width you MIGHT be able to put 2 44's and a 26 in and use that as a base for your workbench top. It will save you the trouble of cabinets later and allow great usage of the cubic feet available. Also thinking out loud here you could add wall cabinets like gladiator etc onto the wall above for larger item storage.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Me? Full length bench across the back wall, and the toolbox where you have the part of the "L" next to the door. You can never have enough bench space!

 

[zkling]

I would rather have the setup in the 2nd picture. Better use of the space and more options down the road.

 

[sands35]

I would rather have the setup in the 2nd picture. Better use of the space and more options down the road.

Yes, an outside corner on a bench will give you more options for how to use it.

 

[d.mcfarland]

You could always add a butcher block top onto the 44 box do have movable workspace!

 

[BHR4CE1]

How about a combo drawer unit with a butcher block top? I used Lista and had my cabinet guy build wall cabinets above it for even more storage.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd go for the Steevo inspired 44" incorporated in the bench. If you need some extra storage, put some cabinets above the bench.

 

[taumac]

I went with 2 44's its 84 from side to side with no handles and left them on original casters until I get shorter ones.

Have a good one, Gerard

Florida GJers ( FGJ)
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/group.php?groupid=117
The 5 Stitches Garage
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=211899

 

[stev0258]

Me? Full length bench across the back wall, and the toolbox where you have the part of the "L" next to the door. You can never have enough bench space!

This is a good idea I hadn't thought of. The 44" HF will be just about perfect with a 2 foot bench top depth.

A different question: The total width of the "cove" (as I like to say), is 114". For the upper shelving, do you think a 2" x 4" would be stiff enough to span the width (anchored to 2 x 4's on the walls of course). I would prefer not to add a vertical support to the ceiling. My other thought was adding two 2x4's together to make the span, sharing the load.

Any rules of thumb for when to add vertical supports?

Thanks

 

[ZRX61]

This is a good idea I hadn't thought of. The 44" HF will be just about perfect with a 2 foot bench top depth.

A different question: The total width of the "cove" (as I like to say), is 114". For the upper shelving, do you think a 2" x 4" would be stiff enough to span the width (anchored to 2 x 4's on the walls of course). I would prefer not to add a vertical support to the ceiling. My other thought was adding two 2x4's together to make the span, sharing the load.

Any rules of thumb for when to add vertical supports?

Thanks

Go 30-32in deep for the bench top (or 3 2x10's for ease of contruction), 2ft is a pain in the ***.

How many full width upper shelves are you planning on?

Also: Can the toolbox go the other side of the door on the left or against the wall to the right of the cove?

 

[stev0258]

Go 30-32in deep for the bench top (or 3 2x10's for ease of contruction), 2ft is a pain in the ***.

How many full width upper shelves are you planning on?

Also: Can the toolbox go the other side of the door on the left or against the wall to the right of the cove?

Yes I would like at least 28" or 30" inches as with my last workbench that last 6" become a "shelf" for schtuff.

Regarding upper shelves, right now the plan is two in that cove. The model shows 16" spacing between the ceiling and the top shelf, and 16" between them. I wanted to keep them high enough to leave room for cabinets above the work bench. I figure 16" spacing is enough for bins, sleds, etc. Also the model shows 2' upper shelving depth but I may go to 2.5 -3' since I have the room, to accommodate longer stuff. Long-term plan is 2' depth hanging shelving around *most* of the perimeter of the garage.

Yes the toolbox can basically go anywhere, getting to the left of the door starts getting into the car space a little. The right wall is even shorter than the left wall.

thanks for all the input!

 

[Wuaname]

How about a combo drawer unit with a butcher block top? I used Lista and had my cabinet guy build wall cabinets above it for even more storage.

[Iq

Looks Good! You have your own cabinet guy? Like he is your employee?

 

[Linda@Lista]

@BHR4CE1 I love that setup, the butcher block top looks fantastic!

 

[BHR4CE1]

Looks Good! You have your own cabinet guy? Like he is your employee?

I have been using him for about 17 years, so i call him "my" guy.

 

[BHR4CE1]

@BHR4CE1 I love that setup, the butcher block top looks fantastic!

Holds up really well too!

 

[John in OH]

FWIW, I would use the "L" configuration in sketch #2, but incorporate the 44" box into the workbench design as others have suggested. This will give you a full-width bench top with "L" on left and a nice tool box under the right end. If you still want more toolbox storage, you could put a 26" TOP box on the extreme right end of the bench over the 44" box.

No way for us to determine deflection of a 114" 2x4 without knowing load distribution, but I would be afraid of sag (and I'm assuming you are putting the 2x4 "on edge", not flat). A second 2x4 back-to-back with the first would help a little, but best bet would be a vertical support from ceiling. You could put the vertical support off-center (say, put support to divide the 114" into a 72" and 42" sections) to accommodate longer items.