Jared's MAC Tools workbench build

[jnyost]

I've been contemplating my shop reorganization for quite a while and finally decided to take the leap. Part of the re-org included a new workbench built around toolboxes to help improve efficient use of space.

Although I already owned a MAC MB1700, it was far too tall to build a workbench around. It is 48" with casters and 42" without. The TECH 1000 was chosen to be the toolbox of choice for the workbench.

A LOT of this credit goes to the many other workbench builders on this site who have inspired some of the ideas that went into this workbench.

This is my MAC toolbox workbench build.....

16' long
30" wide
41" high
3 Tech 1000 MAC Tools toolboxes
other goodies....

 

[jnyost]

Few more pics of the metal going together.

 

[sdavis622]

Looking good! I'll be checkin this out often!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[jnyost]

Looking good! I'll be checkin this out often!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

Thanks!!

I'll be posting more in the morning.

 

[jnyost]

I used leveling feet similar to those used by Steevo in his workbench build. Due to height, I chose not to use the locking nuts. I really don't think they'll be going anywhere.

It's hard to believe these things are rated for 3500# each.

 

[jnyost]

I welded the angle at the top of the bench upright to "wrap" the two sheets of plywood I play on using for the base of the top. It'll help protect the edges of the plywood and give it a bit of a finished look. In order to bridge the 3/16" gap between the bottom of the plywood and the top of the legs, I welded 3/16" flat stock and offset it a bit from the edge of the legs. I then drilled a couple holes in it to put screws through into the bottom of the plywood so I wouldn't have screws in the top.

 

[jnyost]

I'm sure some of you may be wondering why there are gaps between the tool boxes. The gap on the left will be used to mount my air hose reel out of the way. I laid out the holes in the plate, welded nuts to the bottom, and then welded it in place. I'll be able to slide it in and out from the front even with the tool boxes installed.

 

[jnyost]

I mounted 2 1/2" by 1/4" box tubing at each end of the bench to work just like a hitch receiver on a truck. I plan on installing 2" tubing on items such as my bench grinder, polisher, sander, smaller vise, etc. This will allow a substantial way to affix them to the bench without it being permanent. I also drilled a hole and welded a nut over it to install a t-handle bolt to apply tension to prevent any slop and vibrations from the mount.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Subbed

 

[quattroJoe]

Looking good! You must've put a lot of thought and planning into this project.

 

[jnyost]

Looking good! You must've put a lot of thought and planning into this project.

Yep. Been thinking and planning it for a while. I can't wait until it's all done.

 

[oldldh]

Plan your work---

Work your plan---

I see that you heard that axiom, too...

Looking good...

 

[great white tj]

Nice bulid...

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm all about the mb1700, let's see some pics!

 

[jnyost]

I'm all about the mb1700, let's see some pics!

I have two. First one, I've owned since about 1996. The other one was purchased just a couple weeks ago.

 

[jnyost]

Last Sunday I was ready for paint. A buddy and I carried it outside, sprayed it and wiped it down wax/grease remover. We then set up a temporary paint booth in the driveway and started spraying. The booth is two utility work tents salvaged from a local telephone company's trash.

I used etch primer and coated with "tractor" enamel (with hardener). We had to carry it back in that night with only the bottom coated black. Rain was coming for the next two days. After the weather cleared, it was back outside for two coats on the top. Once Wednesday evening, and another one Thursday evening.

 

[jnyost]

Plan your work---

Work your plan---

I see that you heard that axiom, too...

Looking good...

Something that is VERY hard for me to do. Most of my projects start as ideas and come to life very quickly. I'm impulsive, and when I decide I want to build something or do something, it gets done without planning.

 

[jakemac]

I'm the opposite. I plan for months, changing my mind often. And then all of a sudden, I do the project "on the fly" without following my plans. I've been in my new house for 4 years now and only last month got around to putting up the pegboard for the benches I haven't built yet. I have most of the wood for the benches, but I'm still changing the plan for the framework everytime I look at the space.

 

[jnyost]

I'm the opposite. I plan for months, changing my mind often. And then all of a sudden, I do the project "on the fly" without following my plans. I've been in my new house for 4 years now and only last month got around to putting up the pegboard for the benches I haven't built yet. I have most of the wood for the benches, but I'm still changing the plan for the framework everytime I look at the space.

Well I'm kinda like that, but my planning isn't on paper. My projects are always in my mind for months and then all of a sudden I get a burr up my *** to start it. Being ADD, my projects usually go unfinished also. I usually get bored with them prior to completion and move on to a different project.

 

[jakemac]

Yup - detail, detail, detail, detail, detail, ....................... Efffit ! Good enough.

 

[AndrewV]

In envy rightnow yost.

 

[JustinsGr8]

Nice!!

 

[jnyost]

In envy rightnow yost.

Nice!!

Thanks!!

 

[jnyost]

Workbench in it's place, feet going in, and then all level.

 

[zcbauer89]

Subscribed! Awesome build!

 

[jnyost]

Used my cherry picker to lift the box to take the casters off. Put the box on small furniture dollies and slid it into place. One in place. Other two should be here next week. Supposed to leave the warehouse on Monday.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Well done, looking great.

 

[JDon99]

That a serious work bench, I like it. That receiver hitch idea is great! I may have to steal it someday. Where did you get those leveling feet? I've been planning a steel garage cabinet and thosw would work out great. Nice work!

 

[Sims5]

Looks great. I will need to see that it person. It would look better in my shop. Want to build another?

 

[JustinsGr8]

Last Sunday I was ready for paint. A buddy and I carried it outside, sprayed it and wiped it down wax/grease remover. We then set up a temporary paint booth in the driveway and started spraying. The booth is two utility work tents salvaged from a local telephone company's trash.

I used etch primer and coated with "tractor" enamel (with hardener). We had to carry it back in that night with only the bottom coated black. Rain was coming for the next two days. After the weather cleared, it was back outside for two coats on the top. Once Wednesday evening, and another one Thursday evening.

Sweeeet
"One mans trash........" Way to recycle the work tent , way better than buying a new one.

 

[johndeereman]

really nice looking work bench/station please keep us updated might steal this one some day. Thanks...

 

[jnyost]

Well done, looking great.

Thanks!

That a serious work bench, I like it. That receiver hitch idea is great! I may have to steal it someday. Where did you get those leveling feet? I've been planning a steel garage cabinet and thosw would work out great. Nice work!

J.W. Winco
http://www.jwwinco.com/

Looks great. I will need to see that it person. It would look better in my shop. Want to build another?

It was a lot of fun. I'd be happy to help build one. I can't wait for you to see it in person. I still need to get over to your shop. Hopefully I'll have the other two boxes by the time you come over.

Sweeeet
"One mans trash........" Way to recycle the work tent , way better than buying a new one.

They definitely came in handy for that. VERY nice tents for free. CRAZY expensive when new.

really nice looking work bench/station please keep us updated might steal this one some day. Thanks...

You bet! Steal away.

 

[jnyost]

My plans for the worktop base was an 1 1/2" of plywood with a Masonite top (that you'll see in the next post). That is a total of 4 sheets of 3/4" plywood ripped at about 30". My new table saw made the rip MUCH easier than my old contractor saw.

At 16', the worktop was going to take two sheets of plywood for each layer. Wanting everything on this bench to act as one large monolithic piece, I had to overlap my sheets to prevent matching seams. So for the bottom layer, I took one of the 8' sheets, cut it in half, and used the 4' pieces on the outside and the other 8' in the middle to bridge the seam of the top.

Top
8' - 8'
Bottom
4' - 8' - 4'

All of the plywood sections were coated with Tiebond III wood glue that was rolled onto every square inch. It was clamped around the edges, secured with some 1 1/4" deck screws in the middle, and topped with a couple hundred pounds of weight. I did a section at a time.

All pictures, except for the last one, show the work surface upside down.

 

[benjammn]

looking awesome!

 

[rhtx]

That's going to be one heck of a bench !!! You stated you were using plywood for the top. Have you considered covering with stainless steel? I opted to go with galvanized due to the price. A good friend working in a sheet metal shop & had the edges broke & corners welded to give a 1 1/2 drop edge.
Plywood

Galvanized steel top

 

[benjammn]

oh and I like that saw, I bought a Jet cabinet for my buddies stereo shop a few years back, what a huge difference from a contractor style, so flipping easy to make fast accurate large cuts

 

[jnyost]

I cut all my plywood sheets a little oversized, put all cut edges on one side, and aimed to keep that side as straight as possible. I used the straight edges of some cut plywood as a guide for a circular saw so it could be trimmed to size. After it was cut, the bottom edge was rounded with a router so it would sit flush down in the angle iron. If you look at angle closely, there is a rounded inside edge that would prevent a sharp edge from fully seating.

I had used Masonite on my previous bench and it has held up VERY well. I used it as a disposable top surface that was cheap and easily replaceable. Turns out it holds up very well and I've never had to replace it on the old bench. I also usually coat my Masonite with several coats of polyurethane (3-4). It helps seals the Masonite and keep it from absorbing any spills. It also soaks in like crazy and prevents any delamination. It helps make it a stupidly strong top.

I secured the Masonite with carpet tape and a few small dabs of wood glue. I wanted something that wasn't a huge pain to deal with if I had to replace a piece. The small dabs of wood glue could easily be sanded and the carpet tape is incredibly strong for what it is. I used screws on my last bench but didn't want any visible fasteners on this bench.

The Masonite was ripped a little oversized and put into place. It was then trimmed flush with the face of the angle using a trim bit in the router. The small gap between the Masonite and angle will be filled in with caulking. Hopefully I'll get to that tomorrow as well as sealing it.

 

[benjammn]

oh, nice cabinets and smart choice on galvanized top for cost savings

 

[jnyost]

looking awesome!

Thanks!

That's going to be one heck of a bench !!! You stated you were using plywood for the top. Have you considered covering with stainless steel? I opted to go with galvanized due to the price. A good friend working in a sheet metal shop & had the edges broke & corners welded to give a 1 1/2 drop edge.

I plan on probably topping it with steel in the future. It will most likely be 3/16" or 1/4" that will be broke to have a front wrap and a backsplash. Unfortunately, it just isn't in the funds right now. There is a stupid amount of money currently invested in this project and the rest of my shop re-org (which you'll see in another thread in the short future).

oh and I like that saw, I bought a Jet cabinet for my buddies stereo shop a few years back, what a huge difference from a contractor style, so flipping easy to make fast accurate large cuts

I love my Grizzly. I spent the last 10 months researching and trying to decide on what saw to buy. The Grizzly give unparallelled performance for the price. It performs as well as saws twice it's price.

 

[benjammn]

definitely a great saw