HF Toolboxes Workbench - Phase 3

[ovilla]

Awesome job Steevo!

I've been thinking of getting a welder for a while now and this thread just gave me a bunch of ideas for an outdoor kitchen Project I'm planning for next Spring. Thanks so much for sharing all of your plans and detailed specs too. I'm sure this will inspire a lot of us to get motivated!

 

[ssathre]

Steevo, you really built a great bench! I love it so much I stole your design and made one for my shop. Thanks for sharing, you really motivated me.


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[santagary]

Maybe, they should be called henceforth, STEEVO BENCHES!

 

[Steevo]

Steevo, you really built a great bench! I love it so much I stole your design and made one for my shop. Thanks for sharing, you really motivated me.


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That's awesome! Nice work, and you have excellent taste

 

[MikeTHIS]

This is probably the coolest work bench I have ever come across! Great work! Not too expensive either!

 

[ssathre]

That's awesome! Nice work, and you have excellent taste

Thanks, Steve. I guess great minds/names think a like!

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

I wish I could weld! Those multi-unit benches are cool!

I bought a HF 44" cabinet on Saturday and like it.

I'm not in love with the "catch" of the drawer when opening and closing the drawers. Doe's it loosen up a little with use? Do I need to lube the slides a little?

I have all of my ratchet and sockets in the top drawer and you really have to PULL to get it past the "catch" and SLAM it closed.

Cheers

Jim

 

[mdbeck1]

I wish I could weld! Those multi-unit benches are cool!

I bought a HF 44" cabinet on Saturday and like it.

I'm not in love with the "catch" of the drawer when opening and closing the drawers. Doe's it loosen up a little with use? Do I need to lube the slides a little?

I have all of my ratchet and sockets in the top drawer and you really have to PULL to get it past the "catch" and SLAM it closed.

Cheers

Jim

You don't have to be able to weld to build some of these things. It helps but you can always use your imagination for an alternative (like rivets or bolts).

 

[ket-tek]

Looking great and I do appreciate seeing your attention to the details!

Keep building! It's great when a plan actually starts to come together so well..

 

[Outlawmws]

I wish I could weld! Those multi-unit benches are cool!

I bought a HF 44" cabinet on Saturday and like it.

I'm not in love with the "catch" of the drawer when opening and closing the drawers. Doe's it loosen up a little with use? Do I need to lube the slides a little?

I have all of my ratchet and sockets in the top drawer and you really have to PULL to get it past the "catch" and SLAM it closed.

Cheers

Jim

A bench frame like that could be assembled out of Unistrut

 

[Steevo]

I wish I could weld! Those multi-unit benches are cool!

I bought a HF 44" cabinet on Saturday and like it.

I'm not in love with the "catch" of the drawer when opening and closing the drawers. Doe's it loosen up a little with use? Do I need to lube the slides a little?

I have all of my ratchet and sockets in the top drawer and you really have to PULL to get it past the "catch" and SLAM it closed.

Cheers

Jim

There is also an example somewhere here on GJ of a bench built of 80/20 extrusion framework components. It is a two-box unit, and came out really cool.

 

[ssathre]

I got the call from the sheet metal guys today telling me top for my bench was done. I went to pick it up and noticed they made it out of galvanized16 gauge! I was pretty upset as I requested plain 12 gauge cold rolled. They ended up giving it to me for their cost and waving the labor. (I figue I can always use the metal on another project) Still not a happy camper though... Welding the thing together is going to leave a big ol ugly scar now.

 

[DoyleDee]

I like the idea, but I think I would like it better if the cabinets had the casters left on them so you could still roll them to where you are working...ie, car, truck, motorcycle. .. and you still have a heavy bench to work with. Just my opinion. ..Steevo, you did a fine job!!

 

[GarageDan]

Really Nice Work.

 

[Mike14k]

I am speechless, Steve. Wonderful work.

This has motivated me to take a welding class just so I can build this.

 

[turbowoodworker]

I just gotta say "Steevo you are one accomplished and well-rounded guy". You build a great bench, then give advice on soooo many topics like 401Ks??? Wow, I want to be like you someday!
And thanks for all the advice, I'm a fan.

 

[1320stang]

Steevo, couple of ideas for you;

1. Magnetic kick plates

2. Nuts with set-bolts on the receiver tube to take the slop out of a vise mount. You could even taper the ends of the bolts or tap the vise tube as well.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Steevo, let me add my voice to the chorus of 'Well done!'

Being a true neophyte hobby welder, could you enlighten me on your setup for welding the frame ends in the first pics of your 'Phase 2' thread? It looks like you jigged the pieces on top of a solid core door section; yes? Did you Mig(?) in the jig minimally with tack welds and then run beads on the frame sections when they were out of the jig? When you got to the Idaho shop to attach the cross-pieces and surface supports, what did you use (machinist's level, laser, 90 deg. magnets, ???) to align and lock the pieces to keep everything plumb, level, and square? Did you tack weld the entire assembly to avoid heat creep? Any bead grinding/blending involved? I may not build a clone of your workbench right away, but knowing the set up and fab process you used will help me out in all my projects to come! Often, it's not only seeing what was made in the shop that is impressive, but also the how it was made as being equally inspiring.

Again, thanks for a well-done thread on a terrific project; and one that even us 'Less-than-average-Joe's' can hope to emulate (steal - lol).

 

[Steevo]

Steevo, let me add my voice to the chorus of 'Well done!'

Being a true neophyte hobby welder, could you enlighten me on your setup for welding the frame ends in the first pics of your 'Phase 2' thread? It looks like you jigged the pieces on top of a solid core door section; yes? Did you Mig(?) in the jig minimally with tack welds and then run beads on the frame sections when they were out of the jig? When you got to the Idaho shop to attach the cross-pieces and surface supports, what did you use (machinist's level, laser, 90 deg. magnets, ???) to align and lock the pieces to keep everything plumb, level, and square? Did you tack weld the entire assembly to avoid heat creep? Any bead grinding/blending involved? I may not build a clone of your workbench right away, but knowing the set up and fab process you used will help me out in all my projects to come! Often, it's not only seeing what was made in the shop that is impressive, but also the how it was made as being equally inspiring.

Again, thanks for a well-done thread on a terrific project; and one that even us 'Less-than-average-Joe's' can hope to emulate (steal - lol).

Sorry, I didn't see this sooner, or I would have responded sooner.

All welding was done with a Lincoln Pro-Mig 140 (120v) wire welder running .030 wire and 72/25 Argon/CO2 sheilding gas.

Yes, I jigged up a template on top of a scrap piece of the solid wood doors I used for my bench tops. I clamped the heck out of each piece and tacked them inside and outside to hold them from moving when I welded the beads. I then welded top and side beads before removing them from the jig. Then I would flip them over and run the last beads on the back side. I did set the door on fire a few times, but it lasted long enough to complete the legs.

On site, I simply measured, clamped, measured again, squared using a 12" metal carpenter's square, re-measured, re-checked square, tacked in place, re-checked square, and then ran beads. I did each half independently, so I could flip upside down easily to run bottom beads, then pushed them together, and squared them up before clamping, tacking, checking and welding them. In one picture you can see a ratchet strap being used to help pull a section square after tacking but before running beads.

The only grinding I did, was on welds that would be butted against other parts such as where the angle was welded to the tops of the legs, I smoothed them so the wood would sit down flush with the flat surface of the steel. I also ground the seam where the two halves of the steel bench top meet, so there would be no bump on top of the work surface.

Welding up the back corner seam where the two halves of the 12ga backsplash came together was actually the one lace that gave me the most trouble, only because I didn't want to pull it out far enough to weld it from the back side.

 

[Omphaloskeptic]

Steevo, thanks so much for the reply. Sounds like you subscribe to that old adage - 'Measure twice, weld once!'. lol

 

[alpinewhite]

I found these interesting pics from another thread (user RbrtAWhyt):

This setup is probably cheaper than wood kitchen cabinets.

 

[pancho]

Great . looks awesome

 

[Spudland_Dave]

So, Its been a few years since these were built...Steevo, and anybody else who has them setup as benches... how have they been holding up and are you still happy you went this route? Any Regrets or things you'd change?
I'm not exactly ready to pull the trigger on a workbench just yet, Hopefully this summer I will be...

 

[Steevo]

Mine is a little over 1 year old at this point. I loaded most of my tools into it just last November (had to move them from CA to ID first), and have only spent a couple of weeks working in the shop working out of the drawers.
The bench has been used a lot for shop tasks and I love the work area, the vise location, etc. I am still debating on under-cabinet lights for the bench, as I haven't really been short on light there.
I have chased a few small parts or tools under the bench, and now keep a steel yardstick handy to retrieve things.
I'll probably re-arrange some drawers/tools as I settle in and figure out where it is most convenient to have things.

 

[KB1LTG]

I like the rubber feet on your steel workbench. It reminded me that when I could not afford those nice anti-vibration rubber feet, I made some up out of old practice Hockey pucks I had laying around, here is what they look like:



Maybe this will help someone save a few bucks, I have them on my lathe workbench, milling machine and air compressor. Never a minutes trouble and the MSC equivalent costs nearly thirty dollars each!

I epoxied the bolt head in the bottom of the puck where a small recess was drilled out enough for the bolt head to be recessed a quarter inch or so. A little loc-tite or superglue on the bolt and washer on top of the puck will keep everything tied together and able to transmit the vibration of attached machinery or bench .

Enjoy

Jerry

 

[DaWoodster]

Steevo,

My neighbor was talking about adding some benches and I remembered this thread and showed him a few pics. This is what he did over the weekend. Add him to the list you've inspired ... That's only half that wall and he plans on adding several more

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[IONH]

Can't believe I hadn't seen this thread in the 1+ year it's been around!

Great job, very functional!

 

[Steevo]

Steevo,

My neighbor was talking about adding some benches and I remembered this thread and showed him a few pics. This is what he did over the weekend. Add him to the list you've inspired ... That's only half that wall and he plans on adding several more

WOW! I thought I had a lot of drawers to lose stuff in.
That is amazing.

 

[tdkkart]

Steevo,

My neighbor was talking about adding some benches and I remembered this thread and showed him a few pics. This is what he did over the weekend. Add him to the list you've inspired ... That's only half that wall and he plans on adding several more

At $359 each, still just over $2000 worth of cabinets. Try that with Snap-on or Mac. I'll bet if you walked into your local HF, grabbed the manager and said "I want 6 or 8 of these" you can probably get a bit more discount. The trick is finding a store with that many in stock.

 

[cburnscrx]

love the bench and the space you created, I was wondering, do you remember where all those tools are or are you planning to label drawers? I find myself constantly opening and closign drawers because I forget where things are and I only have a 1/4 of the number drawers as your bench

First post for me!

Might I suggest a Brother P-Touch label maker? They are amazing...I use it for everything, though the original purpose was to label my tool box. If you get the kind that uses the TZ tape, it will hold up to most anything you are going to throw at it. Nothing better than pulling the right drawer the first time. For the record, I have no affiliation with Brother, just really like the product and can say that it works.

 

[J-man67]

AWESOME build man!! Came out great and seems to be quite popular amongst other member's! Can't beat that!

 

[neuropac]

Congrats Steevo the cabinets look great

 

[T_Raven]

I bought one of these boxes online before there was a HF in Idaho Falls. It was the first box I bought a an auto tech and I've since moved up to a big Mcsimizer, but these are pretty decent boxes for the price. Making a bench out of them like that was a pretty sweet idea.

 

[Big-Foot]

Very nice job Steevo.

I am curious how the oiled/waxed surface is doing for you? Would have been a lot more for Stainless, but Galvanized would work too..

I have been planning a similar bench build so this thread is now in my subscription list.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I like the rubber feet on your steel workbench. It reminded me that when I could not afford those nice anti-vibration rubber feet, I made some up out of old practice Hockey pucks I had laying around, here is what they look like:

Maybe this will help someone save a few bucks, I have them on my lathe workbench, milling machine and air compressor. Never a minutes trouble and the MSC equivalent costs nearly thirty dollars each!

I epoxied the bolt head in the bottom of the puck where a small recess was drilled out enough for the bolt head to be recessed a quarter inch or so. A little loc-tite or superglue on the bolt and washer on top of the puck will keep everything tied together and able to transmit the vibration of attached machinery or bench .

Enjoy

Jerry

If you have more pictures of what you did, I'd suggest you make a detailed thread on the subject. There's many people on here that would enjoy and appreciate it.

 

[bgarrett]

I have chased a few small parts or tools under the bench, and now keep a steel yardstick handy to retrieve things.
.

I read the entire thread, great ideas. I hate it when things roll under and are hard to get. Maybe a toe kick will help

 

[sakurama]

I'll bet if you walked into your local HF, grabbed the manager and said "I want 6 or 8 of these" you can probably get a bit more discount. The trick is finding a store with that many in stock.

Thanks to this thread I'm selling off my Kennedy rollers (no great loss - I only had two) and just picked up 4 of these. I did call the manager of the local Harbor Freight and ask what kind of discount I could get if I bought four. They were on sale for $399, with coupon for $379 and I got my four for $349. Nice.

I waffled a while in the store as the drawer slides seemed on the light side and being surrounded on all sides by the cheap products of Harbor Freight gave me pause. But for $1400 and all the praise they get here I took the gamble.

I like your frame idea and I'll probably modify it to include space for a stool between cabinets as my kids love to come out to the garage and color at my bench. Instead of lifting them in I'll use angle iron on three sides and then simply lift them with the pallet jack I got off CL today for $50 (just needed oil) and that will keep them up off the ground and the frame will level them.

Not sure on the counter top yet but perhaps stainless.

Anyway, as I get around to building the bench I'll post it in my thread. Thanks for the ideas.

Gregor

 

[someguy123]

A bit off topic, but what is the model number on that fork lift ?

Do you have more pictures of it ?

I'd love to find a tiny forklift for my shop. Would be so handy.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I wonder if there is any sort of industrial lazy susan contraptions that could be incorporated into the corner?

Awesome thread OP! And I was wondering the same as above, if there is an industrial lazy susan cabinet.

Below is a pic of one in white, and the purple one is what my dad calls "An Efficient Jane". I found no mention of "Efficient Jane" online, so maybe it is his age/wisdom speaking, but I think both could be built fairly easy if you have fab skills. I will do something like this when I blatantly copy the OPs idea one day.

 

[Winmon]

I like the rubber feet on your steel workbench. It reminded me that when I could not afford those nice anti-vibration rubber feet, I made some up out of old practice Hockey pucks I had laying around, here is what they look like:

Maybe this will help someone save a few bucks, I have them on my lathe workbench, milling machine and air compressor. Never a minutes trouble and the MSC equivalent costs nearly thirty dollars each!

I epoxied the bolt head in the bottom of the puck where a small recess was drilled out enough for the bolt head to be recessed a quarter inch or so. A little loc-tite or superglue on the bolt and washer on top of the puck will keep everything tied together and able to transmit the vibration of attached machinery or bench .

Enjoy

Jerry

Great idea!! You pick up the pucks off E-Bay pretty cheap too...