High End Cabinets

[Craig Balzer]

I am in a position I never thiought I would attain: I can afford some pretty nice stuff for my yet-to-be-build garage.

I have been looking at and am torn between Lista and Baldhead.

Lista:
+ high quality
+ pretty reasonably priced used (AKA eBay)
+ stand-alone system (does not need to be bolted to wall or studs); + so therefore flexibility once purchased
- have the catalogue -- no prices listed new

Baldhead:
+ high quality (but as high as Lista??)
- unknown price: not $$$ on website / no listing on eBay
+ appears to be stand alone
+ appears to have larger selection of items for the hobbyist

Anyone familiar with either system and can educate me?
Anyone familiar with both and can gude me?

Craig

 

[dink]

Alot of people know about Lista on here and alot of people will tell you to go that way....I went to Baldhead's website......I really think it boils down to what style you want.....the Race shop look with Lista....or the more homely look of Baldhead


It is really up to your style likes

 

[bmwpower]

I've got Lista stuff and I can help. With a name like "Baldhead", I think the choice is clear.

Seriously, I just took a look at Baldhead's site. They don't look that bad, but I don't like the handles. There are so many times that I grab the corner of my Lista drawer handles (since the handle goes all the way across) and pull it open. The Baldhead drawers have a small handle in the middle of the drawer.

Furthermore, it looks like Lista has a bunch more stuff in their catalog. Plus, Lista is totally customizable.

 

[sboxs]

http://www.texasgarages.com/BaldHead RETAIL Price List 060104.pdf

this will give you a idea for pricing on baldhead not sure if this a current price list

 

[Craig Balzer]

sboxs

Thanx for that link. I had downloaded the same page weeks ago from somewhere on the net.
It was called a price list, too -- but prices appeared nowhere on the document.

The one you provided is identical -- except your price list oddly enough actually has prices on it.
Yes -- I see that the prices are from Jan 04 but a start point nonetheless.

Thanx

Craig

 

[BoostAddiction]

I recently went throught this exercise again, helping a friend with his project. The Baldhead line offers more variety in terms of colors, including stainless steel (though Lista can provide custom colors) and Baldhead offers one or two neat features that Lista doesn't have (like the cool pull-out storage that was clearly borrowed from the kitchen).

Everything else favors Lista: they have a much higher capacity per drawer, offer a much wider range of drawer sizes (this is really important for those who will live with their cabinets for a long time), offer a wider range of cabinet sizes (also a key thing for me- mine needed to fit just so), and are generally deeper so there is more storage per running foot.

I'm sure some garages will be better suited to the Baldhead cabinets, and I generally like them. I just don't find them as tough, as flexible or as configurable as LIsta.

-Will

 

[Craig Balzer]

Will


It is the pull-out storage that Baldhead offers that caught my eye. I agree that Lista probably has the best options in the industry: no one comes close.

I think both offer colors and options and quality

Like BMW Power says: it'll come down the small features -- the handles on Lista; maybe the easy shipping that LISTA offers. I have seen neither in person but I can't imagine anyone beating the 400 pounds /drawer capacity combined with the safety lock down this Lista offers.

Hmmm -- am I talking myself into the Lista line? If only they had that cool pull-out storage thingie . . . .

 

[bmwpower]

I assume you're referring to this thing? You could probably fit all that you see in one Lista drawer using Lista plastic boxes, no? Plus, you'd have to bend down to really see what's in each comparment on the Baldhead....

....I just noticed that Baldhead cabinet is $695!

 

[Wardrum]

I own a heavy truck dealership. Over the years, our parts and service departments have acquired some of just about every brand of cabinet made, including Baldhead. None have taken the beating that the Listas take.

In our parts department, the density of storage possible with their drawers is incredible. Heavy truck parts range from the very heavy to the smallest nuts and bolts. Lista drawers will take just about as much weight as you can fit into them and still the drawers slide out and hold like they should.

In the service department, the same thing is true. 1" drive air tools, 1,700 lb.ft. torque wrenches, etc. are heavy and sometimes our techs just kinda aim them at the drawers. We have had some Lista failures under those circumstances but that is not the fault of the Lista product.

If you are looking for cabinets that will last a long time and look good all the while, I am not aware of any that will do a better job for you than those from Lista. Do it right the first time and you won't be sorry.

 

[sboxs]

who said lista had easy shipping i tried to buy a 14 ft setup from Griots and shipping was 2,200 dollars and i kive in NJ cant imagine what it would cost if i was far from the plant in new england

 

[Craig Balzer]

Sboxs

But -- -- but -- -- but . . . . their literature says that the price includes shipping and they palletize the purcghase in crush resistant cardboard padding and . . . and . . . and

They wouldn't lie to me -- -- would they??

 

[sboxs]

not sure if it was lista or griot's who was scamming as i had a 15% off coupon from griots so they told me i was saving 1500 with the coupon so paying 2200 for shipping was not a lot
i told them i was saving 1500 with the coupon because i wanted to save 1500 not so i could overpay for shipping

 

[sboxs]

the shame of it is that i thought Griots had a lot of cool stuff and would like to spends a few thousands on more stuff but now i would never do business with them again

 

[BoostAddiction]

Lista actually has decent shipping. I forget what mine was exactly but it didn't seem out of line for shipping that much ewight from MA to VA.

Perhaps Griots mispriced it or was playing games.

-Will

 

[bmwpower]

who said lista had easy shipping i tried to buy a 14 ft setup from Griots and shipping was 2,200 dollars and i kive in NJ cant imagine what it would cost if i was far from the plant in new england

I guess when they say "easy", it does not always equate to less expensive.

 

[bmwpower]

Lista actually has decent shipping. I forget what mine was exactly but it didn't seem out of line for shipping that much ewight from MA to VA.

Perhaps Griots mispriced it or was playing games.

-Will

I was quoted $1320 1-1/2 years ago to ship 15 cabinets plus a couple of misc. boxes to NJ. Total shipment was 3600+ pounds. Price included $203 lift gate charge (gotta love that one) and $195 fuel surcharge. Price was quoted from a Lista dealer, not Griot's.

I picked them up myself in a day and saved about $800.

The only thing I can think of is that those cabinets from Griot's are taller and may weight more, but this is merely a guess.

I said it before and I'll say it again, order from someone else other than Griot's. Shop around. You'll be surprised how prices may vary.

 

[bmwpower]

Sboxs

But -- -- but -- -- but . . . . their literature says that the price includes shipping and they palletize the purcghase in crush resistant cardboard padding and . . . and . . . and

They wouldn't lie to me -- -- would they??

They do not lie. Packaging is excellent. Not a single scratch.

 

[ultgar]

who said lista had easy shipping i tried to buy a 14 ft setup from Griots and shipping was 2,200 dollars and i kive in NJ cant imagine what it would cost if i was far from the plant in new england

I can get the stuff shipped in a lot cheaper than that and even have it offloaded and delivered into your garage. You can also rent a U-haul and drive up and pick it up yourself if you have the time. SD

 

[Craig Balzer]

Comparison Pricing

With the information I received from you guys I was able to conduct a little comparison shopping/pricing between Lista and Baldhead.

To be fair, since the price list for Baldhead is over 2 years old, I added 15% to the final calculation of price to their total.

I picked cabinets of approximately the same dimensions.

I couldn't find an on-line price for a hardwood top for Lista so I used Baldhead's dimensions and price (plus the same 15% increase).

The attached slide shows the comparison for a 12 foot long workbench supported by a pair of cabinets using Lista and Baldhead products. The dimensions of each cabinet are shown as are the height of each drawer.

Lista:
+ Cheaper price for cabinets (assuming my 15% increase is accurate): Lista comes in at about $1,000 cheaper than Baldhead (I assumed that shipping would be about the same -- that may not be a fair decision)
+ More drawers (7 for Baldhead vs 9 for LISTA)
+ Lista's drawers come with adjustable dividers
+ More useful drawer dimensions (a subjective evaluation to be sure but how many 7" tall (Baldhead) drawers do you need? Baldhead has 1 drawer that is 7.5 inches tall; Lista's tallest drawer is 5 inches.)
+ No need for a raiser -- again this is subjective but I am looking for a bench that is about 40" tall: comfortable height to stand at and a chair or stool will make sitting a viable option. To get that height in the Baldhead line, I needed a pair of 6" raisers under the cabinets
+ Workbench space: Lista's bench top is 30" deep compared to Baldhead's 25".

Baldhead:
+ Each drawer is more than 1.5 inches deeper than Lista

Even if I factor in another couple $100 to account for Lista's bench being 5" wider than Baldhead's and if I use only a 10% increase in Baldhead's prices, it still comes out to about a $500 edge to Lista.

I couldn't find any specs on Baldhead's weight capacity per drawer, but I assume that the best they could do would be to match the 400 to 440 pounds per drawer that Lista advertizes.

So -- using MY criteria -- it looks like Lista comes out on top.

It looks like I talked myself into Lista cabibets and other supporting products

Craig

 

[Wardrum]

It appears that you are comparing Lista quick ship program cabinets to the Baldheads ("Lista's tallest drawer is 5 inches"). One of the real advantages of the Lista cabinets is the ability to customize them to meet your needs. They have drawers 7", 8", 9", 11" and 13" high also. Use their excellent catalog to determine what you want. If you do not see something that you need, ask someone from Lista because they have numerous unpublished options available. They also have a free design service if you need help.

In determining height, be sure to take the kind of base you need into consideration. It is not a good idea to set the cabinet directly on the floor without a base (corrosion from trapped moisture). A fork lift base will allow you to move the cabinet while it is loaded if you need to.

After you have a good idea what you want, contact a Lista distributor for pricing and freight charge estimates. There are several that post in this forum. Prices will be determined by the complexity of the cabinet you choose but you might as well get what you want versus what the manufacturers pre-package.

 

[REFLEXX]

I've visited HUNDREDS of manufacturing companies in the past 15 years. 99.9% have had Lista or Lyon cabinets (almost identical). All see daily use, never see any fail or anyone complain.

my 2c

 

[bmwpower]

Lista:
- You can get butcherblock tops deeper than 30", too.
- You can custom order cabinets without dividers, too. That's what I did, saved some $$. When I decide what goes where in my cabinets, I will order the specific dividers I need.
- I was quoted around $21 per square ft for Lista butcherblock tops (about 2 years ago).
- Lista drawers also come in 150lb capacity, 95% extension...if you want to save some money...about 10-15% less $.
- Bases are not completely necessary, but can be used like Wardrum said, to add more height to the cabinets and for ease of movement. They will add more $ to the total cost. More than likely you will need to shim the cabinets anyway (like I did) so these shims will keep them off the floor enough to avoid corrosion. Plus if you have epoxy, you'll have even less of a worry of corrosion.

Hope this helps...

 

[Craig Balzer]

Wardrum and BMWPower

Thanx for your comments

Wardrum: you are correct in that I was using the Lista Express listings. It was the only on-line pricing I could find. I do have the Lista catalogues -- both the Work Shop version and the General catalouge (I may be off on the names -- the catalogues are at home and I am wasting time at work). However, neither catalogue came with a pricing list .

BMWPower: I was not aware you could custom order the components. I guess I'll need to delve deeper into the catalogue to find all the good stuff.

Sounds like I need to do some more research on the need for the footer or raiser under the cabinets. The garage isn't built yet but I plan on epoxy floor covering.

You guys are helping me spend my bonus. Thanx. Looks like I need to dedicate about $5,000 to $6,500 for the cabinets. NEXT: the 2-post lift .

Craig

 

[Wardrum]

Craig -

I agree with BMWPower about drawer dividers. Start with basic drawers and then as you determine what you want to put where, order the dividers, partitions and plastic boxes you will need. Chances are that you will redesign the drawer layout more than once anyway before you are satisfied. The dividers and partitions are easy to rearrange.

Now, about helping you spend your bonus......all of us GJ's are more than willing to help.

 

[Gregdoo]

Craig,

For additional comparisons, you might also want to check out www.stanleyvidmar.com and www.huot.com

There are also quite a few places that sell used Lista and the like.....often you can find lightly used quality cabinets that are appropriately less expensive. Your bonus might be able to go a bit farther.

There are a few warehouse equipment firms in Denver that sometimes have a line on used items like this.

 

[e-tek]

I keep reading stuff about Griots that makes me wonder how they stay in business at all - maybe by overcharging the few customers they have makes up for all those that won't!!

 

[Spelunca Sanctorum]

Bumping this very old thread because I'm curious to hear if there are any new names in the high end cabinet game that haven't been mentioned yet in this discussion. It's reassuring to see all the previously mentioned companies seem to still be going strong, so whatever cabinets I end up going with will still be supported for years to come if need be.

 

[ishiboo]

Bumping this very old thread because I'm curious to hear if there are any new names in the high end cabinet game that haven't been mentioned yet in this discussion. It's reassuring to see all the previously mentioned companies seem to still be going strong, so whatever cabinets I end up going with will still be supported for years to come if need be.

Pretty much the same game. Although I don't believe Rosseau was mentioned at the time and definitely should be, they are not at all a new player.

Motorhead Extraordinaire (A GJ member) has scratch & dent Lista offers at great prices, regular Lista to order, and a bunch of other stuff.

 

[Spelunca Sanctorum]

Pretty much the same game. Although I don't believe Rosseau was mentioned at the time and definitely should be, they are not at all a new player.

Motorhead Extraordinaire (A GJ member) has scratch & dent Lista offers at great prices, regular Lista to order, and a bunch of other stuff.

Thanks! I also found Vault Cabinets during my recent searching, and the specs seem to live to that name. Almost certainly of my price range for what I'm looking for.