HF Toolboxes Workbench - Phase 3

[trainman1385]

I am running out of room in my garage so I bought this box and modified it to meet my needs https://scontent-sjc2-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11009212_10206664356268248_33606534493422345_n.jpg?oh=57d9791f4ced377f70bd3bf15004b2a0&oe=5603B044

 

[Magnet]

That bench is amazing ... Awesome job jmalt! I think I will build one similar! I checked out Steevo's build too, both are awesome.

I have the Visio drawings of my bench design available, and have emailed them to at least twenty people so far. I also printed the Visio diagrams to jpg files, and have them available to email to anyone that asks.

The Visio files are similar to ACAD files, in that they are editable, proportionally accurate, and dimensionally correct. The JPG files are basically low-resolution pictures of the Visio files, but do show all of the dimensions.

Just request via PM, and provide an email address and they are yours for free.

sorry, finger trouble

 

[Magnet]

I have the Visio drawings of my bench design available, and have emailed them to at least twenty people so far. I also printed the Visio diagrams to jpg files, and have them available to email to anyone that asks.

The Visio files are similar to ACAD files, in that they are editable, proportionally accurate, and dimensionally correct. The JPG files are basically low-resolution pictures of the Visio files, but do show all of the dimensions.

Just request via PM, and provide an email address and they are yours for free.

Steevo,

Thanks for posting this, its inspirational especially to a beginner like myself.
PM on its way to you sir.

 

[furbyj1]

I am running out of room in my garage so I bought this box and modified it to meet my needs https://scontent-sjc2-1.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/11009212_10206664356268248_33606534493422345_n.jpg?oh=57d9791f4ced377f70bd3bf15004b2a0&oe=5603B044

that is amazing, If you wanted to could you still bolt the 7 drawer side cab on both sides or does that stainless top not allow for that anymore??

 

[trainman1385]

I could attach more if I wanted to

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

 

[furbyj1]

^ nice... I might have to steal that idea from you one day

 

[Camarobill]

Steevo, Thanks for sharing your workbench build. I liked it so much I had to tear my old one out and rebuild it. Here is my version, it's about 80% done.. Thanks Bill

 

[rcktpwrd]

That looks awesome Camarobill!

 

[Duker]

Steevo, Thanks for sharing your workbench build. I liked it so much I had to tear my old one out and rebuild it. Here is my version, it's about 80% done.. Thanks Bill

Nice job! I am kind of partial to that corner cabinet as well!

 

[SWA Guy]

Great job Camarobill! What are the upper cabinets? Metal?

 

[Leoruiz]

One thing about an HF box. You get a Hell of a lot of real estate for the dollar.I have Proto stacks. What a waste of money they were(in comparison)

 

[iScream]

This thread was linked in some other thread and I just finished skimming through it. I'm impressed. Got to get me a MIG and get back into practice using it.

 

[rmabwing5]

I was so inspired by Steevo's bench/tool chest build that I am going to build one of my own. I don't have welding experience nor do I have a welder, so, I decided to build mine out of 2x4's, a 2x8 and plywood. I'm also not using HF chests, I like the specs on Homak's Professional chests better, plus I can get them in blue. Here are a couple of solid models renditions I created using Autodesk Inventor Pro which show how it should look when done. I will post pics whenever the "Done" happens.

Hopefully when I get the boxes I can get this made and it will hold up to years of use and abuse.

 

[Camarobill]

Great job Camarobill! What are the upper cabinets? Metal?

Thanks, they are just old house kitchen cabinets. They were dark brown and ugly, for the doors I just color match the red of the tool boxes.

 

[Steevo]

Steevo, Thanks for sharing your workbench build. I liked it so much I had to tear my old one out and rebuild it. Here is my version, it's about 80% done.. Thanks Bill

Camarobill,
I really like your workbench. Very nicely executed!

 

[jgreen-fsi]

Looks like a few members made the HF blog with the Steevo bench.

http://blog.harborfreight.com

 

[Boost Creep]

Looks like a few members made the HF blog with the Steevo bench.

http://blog.harborfreight.com

i like how their favorite 44" build didn't use 44" boxes.

 

[M-technik-3]

Stumbled upon this via another thread and thought DAMN that is cool. Thank You for the idea.

 

[Urban cabin]

Trainman, nice update to the HF toolbox. Can you supply some details on the top and how you attached it?

 

[MPOWERD]

I can't answer for Steevo, but I can give you some perspective on another alternative. I built a corner cabinet in my bench build in an effort to take advantage of that dead space. The good news is that it easy to build in another set of drawers to increase storage for example, the bad news is in my case it eats up another 14" of wall space and you still end up with dead space behind the cabinet. So, for an "L" shaped workbench Steevo's design is probably the most efficient while maintaining the smallest foot print.

Have you thought about building a circular revolving steel base on ball bearing or heavy caster wheels (on a track) and putting two of these cabinets back to back on the base and just turning it when you needed to gain access to the second cabinet? That would eat up alot of the wasted space and double the storage for the corner cabinet in the same square footage...

 

[Duker]

Have you thought about building a circular revolving steel base on ball bearing or heavy caster wheels (on a track) and putting two of these cabinets back to back on the base and just turning it when you needed to gain access to the second cabinet? That would eat up alot of the wasted space and double the storage for the corner cabinet in the same square footage...

After I built the corner unit I thought about building a lazy Susan version but I couldn't really come up with something that I was happy with in my head unless I went with open bins and put a door on the front.

However, your post got me thinking it would be possible to put 2 or maybe even 4 - 7 drawer units within the corner unit on a pivoting base. After some quick measuring and eyeballing it might just work. If my initial measurements are right, two would fit back to back with minimal size changes or modifications. 4 might work with an additional 4-5 inches of width. I don't know if the utility or cost of 4 makes sense but being able to convert for two with minimal changes in size or frame cost does.

Thanks for posting the question. As soon as I can get back to my bench build I will be attempting to change two of my corner cabinets.

 

[SaharaJp99]

Long time lurker here. 4 years later, finally got around to building my Steevo inspired work bench! Not done yet, still need to make the top, mount the vise, paint the cabinets, move my tools over, etc.

It is in the garage attached to the house for now, I have a 40'x60' barn it will go in eventually once I concrete it and finish it. For that reason, I made the tool box removable by securing the front angle iron with bolts instead of welding it. I have a JD tractor with a loader, but it has nowhere near the finesse that a forklift has so I opted not to load the tool box overhead. With the front bar removable and the drawers out, I can lift the tool box in and out from the front. Once the barn is finished and I move it out there, the work bench will grow and maybe it will get welded. For now though, the bolts should hold it just fine.

A big thanks to Steevo for the great idea! Such a clean look and remarkably functional!

 

[TAMPAGT07]

My wife is eagerly awaiting a Steveo inspired kitchen thread.... Anything in the works yet, Steveo?

 

[dpljmurphy]

I find this amusing. Especially since it is only your second posting here at GJ. I wonder what the first one was?

If you peruse the tools section, you will find that many, many GJ members own tool boxes that cost them many times what I spent making a steel workbench that also holds my tools. I had to do that because I don't have room to spare and need to make the most of what I have.

Look at the garages in the gallery, at the beautiful "operating rooms" that some of the obviously well-off members have built. Walls full of Lista or Vidmar cabinets, multiple hoists, beautiful and desirable vehicles of all kinds displayed on the garage floor and on the hoists.

I think it is funny that you picked my workbench build, done entirely by the owner, using basic readily-available and affordable (some even salvaged) materials and no paid labor, to make your point.

Anyway, welcome to Garage Journal, newbie. Enjoy.

well this is my first post, thank you for the set up:

The high road is a most satisfying path, one of pure grace; especially when the low road was right there for the taking and more traveled daily.

Great bench, looking forward to reading your shop build.

 

[Psycareyo]

Wow, Amazing thread!

 

[frijolee]

Steevo,

I remain impressed by how many folks this bench has inspired! Here’s my version:

A few differences: I’m only using 2x 44s along one wall. I wasn’t worried about having a little weight on the top deck since they are made to carry a top cabinet already. I was planning on having the boxes spaces somewhat apart from one another so I could have a chair and “desk” mid span eventually. I wanted to use wood as the top surface (so I have a place to put cold beverages that won’t rust like my weld table.) ;-)

My design is based on direct replacement feet instead of casters (I agree the caster's are too tall):

This is based on McMaster P/N 4146T18
http://www.mcmaster.com/#4146t18/=zi9yua


When you don’t have a forklift handy you have to get creative in dropping these down to the floor (a standard jack wouldn’t fit underneath.)

There’s a full write-up with a bunch more pictures in my build thread here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5215889&postcount=74

Thanks again for the idea:
-Joel Payne

 

[Steevo]

frijolee,

I like what you did there. That back shelf is very nice looking too.

 

[stg454]

Great ideas. Subscribed

 

[hotdogstand]

It has taken me two days to read through all of this. I stumbled upon this while searching for info on building a mobile bench using 2 husky boxes (its what I have, might as well double down). Now I must reconsider a mobile cart and start thinking about replacing my Craigslist cabinets and counters with something similar to what many of you have done. I am impressed with the build quality, and I am torn between butchers block and a steel top. I like the idea of a "knees under" work area, and I'm contemplating a lazy Susan using axle bearings and pipe.
Bravo to Steevo and those who have successfully built off his work.
I'll be sure to post back here once my project gets underway.

 

[sj9ers]

Looking for some advice. Will .083 steel tubing be strong enough to build one of these?

 

[evanbaker08]

How much do you think it would cost to get a welder to build this for me considering I don't have a welder nor do I know how.

 

[Oldgloryfirearms]

Welp i have finally finished my bench minus the box i am just waiting for it to arrive. I am loving it already. Cabinets and tv will be going above it in the near future.

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[huffranger]

Thanks Steevo !!! The black Friday sale is gonna hurt my check book...

 

[huffranger]

I used these tube inserts:
http://estore.jwwinco.com/default.aspx?page=item detail&itemcode=8TPTC

And these leveling feet:
http://estore.jwwinco.com/default.aspx?page=item detail&itemcode=8T3WP1

Steevo, again thanks man !!

 

[Cue]

Here is mine, I picked up a couple Homak Blue boxes from Northern tool on Black Friday, to go along with my Blue Newage cabinets.
I used 2" tube all the way around and I slid my boxes in from the front, then made workbench top from 2 pieces of 3/4" Ply glued and screwed together, then laminate on top.

 

[motofool33]

Here is mine, I picked up a couple Homak Blue boxes from Northern tool on Black Friday, to go along with my Blue Newage cabinets.
I used 2" tube all the way around and I slid my boxes in from the front, then made workbench top from 2 pieces of 3/4" Ply glued and screwed together, then laminate on top.

nice build

 

[Speedster29]

Here is mine, I picked up a couple Homak Blue boxes from Northern tool on Black Friday, to go along with my Blue Newage cabinets.
I used 2" tube all the way around and I slid my boxes in from the front, then made workbench top from 2 pieces of 3/4" Ply glued and screwed together, then laminate on top.

Very nice and well thought out.

 

[Cue]

Thanks

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Steevo, let me also say what a nice job you did and thank you for the inspiration!

Is there a purpose for why vertical tubing is used between the cabinets? Do you feel the units could be bolted together directly without any adverse issues? I would use metal plates with adjuster feet in lieu of the casters. Thoughts??

 

[Outlawmws]

I'm Not Steevo, but Brendt, the span across the tops and what weight you might expect on the bench top are considerations. I like not using the boxes as the bench support, but that's me, I over-engineer as much as possible... (But I also use my benches HARD; I've always attached them to the wall, and ripped them loose three different times...)