HF Toolboxes Workbench - Phase 3

[Steevo]

Continued from this thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120386
----------------------------------

Well, I got started on the next phase of the HF tool cabinet workbenches today.
First I finished uncrating the tool boxes.

All were in good shape and no missing or damaged parts found.

I ended up with a huge pile of packing materials that I need to get rid of.

I cleaned out the corner where the workbench will go, and started arranging things.

I installed the foot inserts in the legs.
These are rated for 3500lbs. apiece, as are the feet.

I started welding up the cross-pieces and surface supports onto the legs I had previously built.

Note the missing gas bottle in that last picture. I ran out of 75/25 and had to call it quits for today.

Tomorrow, instead of getting an early start on the project, I’ll have to go to the welding supply for a tank exchange.

Anyone have a good method for removing the US general badges from the boxes?
They will cause a fit issue when the boxes are placed in the frames.


Stay tuned for more progress.

 

[rburke65]

Where did you buy the inserts? Did you "scratch build" the bases or buy? Thanks

 

[wfochris]

Nice. I have the same HF welder cart, but it doesn't like my ~110cf cylinder so well lol.

 

[twincam00]

lookin great so far steevo!

 

[Steevo]

Where did you buy the inserts? Did you "scratch build" the bases or buy? Thanks

The inserts and feet came from JW Winco (http://www.jwwinco.com)

All of the frame and legs is scratch built from standard steel tubing and angle.

 

[rburke65]

Thanks for the reply.

 

[BigAl62]

To remove the emblems use nylon fishing line. Hold it tight and go behind the emblem using a sawing motion. Then use adhesive remover or WD40 to remove any remaining adhesive. Or you can try a heat gun or hair drier, I've used both methods with good results.

 

[TurboBlog]

Looks great! Thanks for the threaded foot insert info too.

 

[fitz11]

Looking good, look forward to seeing more progress! BTW that is the neatest pile of packaging materials I have ever seen! Lol

 

[e30bradley]

your going to have the nicest work bench I'll probably ever see.. and to get rid of the packing materials make a nice big fire.

 

[Steevo]

To remove the emblems use nylon fishing line. Hold it tight and go behind the emblem using a sawing motion. Then use adhesive remover or WD40 to remove any remaining adhesive. Or you can try a heat gun or hair drier, I've used both methods with good results.

Thanks BigAl, I'll try that.

 

[Ray-CA]

Dental floss works extremely well also.

Ray

 

[mixxmstrmike]

Subscribed.

Great pictures and thanks for sharing your process!

Can't wait to see the finished product.

-Mike

 

[Kent Skinner]

Wow - that's a huge amount of storage.
I'm following the progress.

 

[Kevin54]

If you use fishing line to remove the badges, make sure you wrap the ends of the line around a wood dowel or something similar. Don't pull it with your hands for the fact is that it will cut you right now before you know it.

 

[buening]

Nice job Steevo. I just finished the paint on my 2" square tubing workbench that is similar to yours. I'm only using 26" base cabinets on each side though.

 

[brucer]

I'm liking the tractor myself.

 

[NUTTSGT]

We need more pics Steevo ! lol That's going to be a killer workbench when you get it finished.

BTW, do you know anybody with a woodburmer, that packing material would make great kindling and then recycle the c-board.

 

[purpony]

looking good!

 

[csp]

Kinda tough to get fishing line, dental floss, etc past the two little studs that stick out of the back of the emblem.

I just pried mine off carefully with a putty knife.

Cool IH Cub Cadet there! Wish I had a loader for mine, though I have no need for one with two real tractors with loaders.

 

[bullfrog123]

Nice work. Cant wait to see the finished work.

On the badges.... the fishing line trick won't work. The badges have 2 tabs that align into 2 1/4" holes drilled in the box. I used a hammer on the back side of the badge and popped it out. It is glued a bit too so it will take off some of the powder coat finish so be careful.

 

[ZYA_LTR]

Then i would use a heatgun, and warm up the glue before removing the badges, then i always used a old/bad credit card to gently pry the badges off, and with the adhesive warm, it comes off easier.

 

[Kabina]

Kinda tough to get fishing line, dental floss, etc past the two little studs that stick out of the back of the emblem.

I just pried mine off carefully with a putty knife.

Cool IH Cub Cadet there! Wish I had a loader for mine, though I have no need for one with two real tractors with loaders.

I thought it was a Bolens.

 

[ckadams00]

WOW! Really going to be a nice set up when you have all that space laid out. I might have missed it . . .what are you planning for the bench top?

 

[Trey T]

subscribed!

 

[BigAl62]

I didn't know that there were alignment pins, I thought they would be to cheap to do that (usually only done on high end emblems such as automotive ones). I'd try the heat gun or hair dryer method then.

 

[keithski122]

Those 4 boxes would fill up my garage on their own!

 

[jkm4874ford]

Cool, Love the work so far.

 

[Steevo]

Kabina got it right. The project tractor in the corner is a Bolens HT20 with a Johnson 14 loader.
I have seven Bolens and one Simplicity tractors, which is why I need the workshop and some storage racking for all my projects.

 

[Steevo]

After I hung my wife's curtain rods this morning, I picked up a new tank of 75/25 for the wire welder and got back to work on the bench frame today.

Once I had a set of box supports in one section of the bench, I thought I’d better do a test-fit before going any farther.

It fit just like it was supposed to. Things will be a little more square when the bench is in place and leveled before inserting the boxes.

Since things fit well, I went back to work on the build, and finished the frame.

I cranked the heat up to 70 degrees for a couple of hours to get things ready for painting, then shut off the heater and started spraying. It got so foggy with paint fumes that I had to open the two doors and let the 32 degree wind blow through while I finished painting.

Once I was done, I closed the place up and fired the heater back up to 70 overnight to dry it.

Hopefully tomorrow I can get the bench in place, level it, drop the boxes in, and start putting the top on it.

Stay tuned . . .

 

[bad_idea]

that looks horrible! but i am willing to help you out, throw em in the back of your truck and drive em down here. i will properly dispose of that bench for you.

not buying? i tried. looking good.

 

[Vettman]

Looks great! I sold one of mine after winning the Montezuma box. I ran out of room
I was in HF the other day and they had a box with a gloss red finish. Looked pretty good for the $$!

 

[mister honey]

Now I see why loading the HF cabinets from the top was not a concern!

Mike

 

[jcabbbang]

Looks great, can't wait to see finished project. Chris

 

[bullfrog123]

Good news on the fitting of them!!!! Looks great!!

One question..... wanna sell a couple of those leftover caster wheels?? PM me...

 

[icecactus]

Looks awsome man! Makes me want to stop building mine out of wood and do what your doing!

Can i ask where you got those leveling feet? I like those a lot.

 

[SeanConklin]

Looks great man. I only wish I had the space/time/$$$/equipment to pull something like that off. Killer bench and I hope you make more progress soon so I can drool some more.

Subscribed!

 

[JSmiley]

Looks great. Can't wait to see what top you have. Was thinking along the simiar lines, but not to remove the casters. Keep up the good work.

Smiley

 

[Steevo]

Looks awsome man! Makes me want to stop building mine out of wood and do what your doing!

Can i ask where you got those leveling feet? I like those a lot.

Check the first page of this thread, where I provided that info.

 

[Steevo]

. . . I might have missed it . . .what are you planning for the bench top?

That was actually in an earlier thread, so easy to miss.
I have some solid core commercial doors that are 1-3/4" thick that I have cut to fit.
Over those will go the folded 12ga steel caps that I had made up.
The caps have a 6" backsplash and a 2" lip on front and ends.

All are sitting the trailer here: