HF 13 drawer lower cabinet built into workbench

[Scoutman]

I've seen a few examples of folks putting the HF 13 drawer lower toolbox into a custom built workbench but would like to see more. I'm about to do something similar and am collecting ideas.

I will be taking the casters off and building a solid bonded 2x4 worktop about 8' long.

 

[NXGTS]

Subscribing. Thinking of doing the same after I paint the boxes blue.

 

[Ray-CA]

Scroll through this: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55006&showall=1 and you'll see a great example of what you are looking for.

Ray

 

[Jack Olsen]

Well, that's a lot to scroll through.

The short answer is that I took the casters off, then cut a simple set of wood strips from 2x4a for the boxes to sit on. I also cut strips for the top of the boxes to support the weight of the bench top and keep it level. There's also some 2x4 framing to support the top and also attach the whole thing to the wall. The undercarriage isn't very pretty, but it's sturdy. The HF box would probably support a work surface by itself without any issue, although you'd still need some wood sections on top to keep it level. The edging that extends above the box is cut away in front.

A later picture, after I painted (what?!) the portable air conditioner.

 

[redman43]

How tall are these boxes without the casters? HF says it is 40" tall with the 5" casters, so 34" or so without them?

 

[Scoutman]

To quote a guy from another thread...

Mine measure about 33 5/8" without the casters. This is from the bottom to the top of the top flange that sticks up and runs around the 2 sides and back.

Tom

 

[rsieracki]

what i did

looks similar only the boxes are full now and im trying to figure out what to use as a workbench top as it slightly over 8feet long now. i built a base box to deal with an uneven floor. the studs tie into the house for a sturdy mount for the workbench top

 

[Snake87]

How tall are those HF bottoms? I can look it up, but does anyone know offhand?

EDIT: I suppose I should refresh the page before I post.

 

[Jayincali]

Not an HF box, but built in. It's 10' long by 32" deep. Still need to make the shelves.

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/?action=view&current=Garage.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/jayinkali/Garage.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[BUGTHUG]

How tall are those HF bottoms? I can look it up, but does anyone know offhand?

EDIT: I suppose I should refresh the page before I post.

I think they are 34 1/2" without wheels.

 

[bursty]

loving these setups. i need to do something similar soon

 

[csp]

Not the greatest picture as I was just finishing up the drywall (thus the mess) on the soffit shelf above, but here's mine. It was also taken with my phone, so the quality isn't great.

I built a base out of 4x4's and added adjustable feet in place of the casters as the floor has some slope to it. The benchtop is a stainless interior door from an elevator. It's about 27" deep and a bit over 8' long.

 

[Boost Creep]

looks similar only the boxes are full now and im trying to figure out what to use as a workbench top as it slightly over 8feet long now. i built a base box to deal with an uneven floor. the studs tie into the house for a sturdy mount for the workbench top

buy a 10 ft top and cut it down to size and just put the cut side against the wall

 

[Allstar]

Here's mine. Removed casters and replaced with some adjustable feet I made. Bolted the boxes together and put a steel plate on top.

 

[Scoutman]

That looks nice Allstar! Now just get that blue box off the top, it's detracting from the matching lower cabinets.

 

[thrifty bill]

Depending on the size of the bench top, it is tough to beat a used solid core door. My local Habitat for Humanity sells them as cheap as $15 each.

 

[Scoutman]

Does anyone know what the size of the bolts are that hold the casters on?

 

[Scoutman]

Does anyone know what the size of the bolts are that hold the casters on?

Someone answered in another thread....

The bolts are M-10

So for anyone wanting to replace the casters with threaded feet it looks like McMaster Carr part number 62805K54 would do the trick and not have to fab anything or use wood on the floor.

"Polypro Base with Steel Top Leveling Mount M10 Thread, 61 mm Base Dia, 51 mm Bolt Length
In stock at $3.56 Each"

That equates to about a 2.4" diameter foot, about 3" overall height with about 2" of threads. They're rated for about 250# each so they should hold a full box.

 

[bullfrog123]

Here's my new setup almost finished. Still need to paint the bench and mount the single drawer under my welding table and paint it too.

The color of the box was way off from matching my Craftsman boxes... so a quick scuff and repaint was done, the drawer fronts I painted too to match also. Then refurbed an old MBC side box which holds my welding/cutting stuff.

The bench then needed to be "re-built" around the new box.

Next is paint the bench frame either red or black.... still can't decide which color.... anyone wanna chime in????

Thanks GJ for the input on how to do this from all the threads on benches and the HF boxes

 

[SuperSocket]

Someone answered in another thread....

The bolts are M-10

So for anyone wanting to replace the casters with threaded feet it looks like McMaster Carr part number 62805K54 would do the trick and not have to fab anything or use wood on the floor.

"Polypro Base with Steel Top Leveling Mount M10 Thread, 61 mm Base Dia, 51 mm Bolt Length
In stock at $3.56 Each"

That equates to about a 2.4" diameter foot, about 3" overall height with about 2" of threads. They're rated for about 250# each so they should hold a full box.

Great idea. The only concern I have is the load distribution on that single threaded hole. If you look at the casters above, it's distributing the weight on two areas for support.

Anyone use these feet with success? I doubt many people would exceed 1,000lbs so its probably a non-issue, but better safe than sorry to first ask.

 

[texasguy]

Very very nice job bullfrog.

I don't think you can go wrong on frame color but I vote red.


*edited* or black.

 

[CountZero]

Here's mine. Removed casters and replaced with some adjustable feet I made. Bolted the boxes together and put a steel plate on top.

That's just about exactly what I'm looking to do with mine. If you dont mind me asking, How thick is the steel plate you put on there?

 

[Scoutman]

I bought my lower cabinet yesterday and ordered the threaded feet today.

Let the bench build begin.

 

[bullfrog123]

finally got the bench painted and all finished up. Went with black bench frame to offset the red. Think it turned out pretty slick.

 

[Scoutman]

finally got the bench painted and all finished up. Went with black bench frame to offset the red. Think it turned out pretty slick.

That turned out really nice with the black drawers painted to match your Craftsman box. I've been debating whether or not to do that before I start filling drawers.

 

[bullfrog123]

Thanks. I painted the C-man boxes with the black just for the heck of it. Just needed some change to the shop I guess. Here's what it was earlier this spring.