Lista bench design project.

[akdiesel]

Lista cabinets

Started this project about a year ago, thought I would post the ideas and results of products I incorporated into it.
I have had a rolling tool cabinet for years that never rolled anywhere so I wanted to have a stationary bench set up with all my tools. I have been researching Lista, Vidmar, Lyon, Equipto, etc for over a year before I came to the final results of Lista. Vidmar now owns Lista but the Lista line seems to be more accommodating for options and sizes as well as availability.
I chose to go with black. The outside is black but the insides are the standard grey color. The handles are full drawer length and have a nice clear plastic proctor the can easily be lifted to allow for a name plate.
Each drawer can handle 400 lbs and a safety system is incorporated so that only one drawer can be opened at a time. This can be altered if needed. But make sure you have the cabinets fastened to the floor or the wall since a 400 lbs top drawer could tip the cabinet if opened all the way.
The frame work is Unistrut. The back of the cabinets are fastened with 7/8" strut and the sides are 1 5/8" strut powder coated black with electrical and airlines.

 

[Journaler]

Looks really nice. What did you use for the tabletop?

 

[Bull]

Vidmar owns Lista? I didn't know that!

 

[akdiesel]

Bench top supports

The bench is 10'6" long. I found the bench top at Grainger. They are two 6' x 30" x 1 1/2" 12 gauge top. I cut one to size for the full span and welded the seem. I had it powder coated a hammered grey color to match the plastic unistrut inserts that cover the electrical and air lines. I used 7/8" strut and cut 3/4" plywood to stiffen the bench top as well as giving me a location to fasten the top to the wall and the cabinets.

 

[akdiesel]

Journaler:Thanks. I will add more infor and pics as I can.

Bull:That was the word I got.

 

[Jack Olsen]

Cool project.

Bull: Yes, the Vidmar conglomerate bought the US Lista operation about a year ago. Manufacturing is still separate, as far as I know. But who knows where it will end up?

 

[akdiesel]

Jack:Thanks.

Wallcontroll Peg Board

The steel peg board is from Wallcontrol. I found their peg board design in a SnapOn rolling cabinet at work and liked the fact that it incorporated round and flat pegs. They have a list of items for their boards as well as powder coated colors.
The boards come in sizes of 16" x 32" and 8" x 32". They have a rolled edge towards the back allowing for a mounting clearance of the pegs. I got the board in black and the accessories in blue to give it some contrast.
I plan on installing another subpanel for welding and lighting control and it will be placed behind the upper portion on the left side and it will hinge for access.

 

[indyokie]

Very very clean and well done- completely jealous. Thank you for sharing your info on the Wallcontrol product exactly the match I was looking for !

 

[akdiesel]

LED Lighting

Lighting was above the peg board was temp untill I got the upper cabinets. They work great but they will conflict with the board pegs, so I plan on using LED strip lighting.
I used the same strip lighting on the bottom edge of the bench with the push button switch just infront of the lighting. The lighting in this area is for two reasons. #1: Lighting up the drawers when opened and visual apearance.
The last two pictures are of the LED lighting off and then on. Granted I also have the shop lights on.

 

[akdiesel]

indyokie: Thank you. Wallcontrol was very helpful in ordering from them. If I remember correctly they are on the east coast and they helped out with shipping as much as they could.

EPPCO Drawer Liner

I looked for a while and contemplated foam inserts for tool organizing (spelling), but found that it takes up too much room (not that these cabinets don't have plenty of room), so I found a liner on Amazon. EPPCO Enterprise 24" x 30'. This is perfect size since the drawers are 24" deep. It cuts easy enough, but will not tear easy and is a solid liner unlike the older perferated liners sold at Sears or Lowes.
The liner hold tools from sliding when closing drawers and is easy to wiipe clean.

 

[akdiesel]

Cordless Tool storage

The Lista cabenit on the left is 56" long the lower left drawers are 18" x 24" and the bottom left drawer is 10" deep. I wanted to have a 12" drawer and it got lost in translation during the ordering for cordless tool storage. However the angle of the tools still allows for the them to fit barely in the 10" drawer. I found some garage foam padded hooks from Lowes that I slightly modified to hold them in the position they are in.
I also added some extra Garlok material (rubber gasket material) for addtional protection where the drill and impact guns sit so they don't poke down into the liner and the drawer.

 

[sublimate]

How high are your cabinets and how high is the top of your bench. It looks like you have a base, right?

I was planning to do something similar w/ SC900 cabinets (39" tall) with no base for an overall height of about 41" to the top of the bench. Would that work, or do these really need a base?

 

[akdiesel]

Unistrut Electrical Outlets

I am a big fan of Unistrut for those that don't know so since they were originally designed for the electrical field their products would work best for my system. I found their P2553 outlet product and incorporated it into the strut layout through out the bench and the peg board. Painted the outlet frame the same color as the plastic covers and the bench top (NAPA Primer Grey). I wired them with 12 gauge romex wire. There are four in the middle of the peg board and one on each corner of the strut next to the cabinets.

 

[akdiesel]

sublimateThe cabinets are the 750 series (33 1/2" high) with a 2" base. This is the lowest base they provide. So with the bench top of 1 1/2" I have approx 37" with some minor shimming to level things out on the floor. I also thought long and hard about the 900 series simply for the extra drawer storage but I am happy with this size. Unless you are tall or like to stand at your bench, I feel the 750 is better. With my bench seats I am able to sit comfortably with out rubbing my thighs on the bottom of the bench.
As for a base I would recommend a base to ease that much more for bending over to get tools that low and to raise the drawers for additional clearance for anything on the floor. The 2" or 4" base would work.

 

[Exceller8]

That is very nice. I like the battery charging station, very cool!

 

[akdiesel]

Air Lines

Well I got a lot of flak for using stainless tubing for my air and water lines, but I get it at a great price and work with it all the time so I feel comfortable with it. I continued the air line down the Unistrut channel with 3/8" to the front corners just below the Unistrut plugs and then 1/4" down the center strut in the peg board. I drilled 1/4" holes in the plastic covers and used brass quick connects. The quick connects are the ones that you simply push into and then they lock. Picked them up at Lowes.

 

[SRX]

Looks awesome. Very nice layout!

 

[sublimate]

Thanks AK. I really like how your DW (56" wide) unit has some full width and part width drawers. I don't see that option in the catalog - how did you order it?
I assume the other unit is an MW (47" wide)?
Do you mind saying approx. how much the Lista cabs cost?

For my bench (a little over 11' long) I was looking at doing 4 SC width (28") cabs, 2 on either side of a 20" opening (not sure if that's wide enough - how wide is your opening?).

But your wide 56" cabinet looks really sharp with the different width drawers. I may need to look into that.

 

[akdiesel]

Unistrut Plastic cover

Unistrut also makes a cover in plastic or steel and in various thicknesses and color. I went with the plastic grey color P3184P. The cost can be high. After I ordered them from our local Unistrut dealer he gave me the cost and I choked but I needed them to complete the system and make it legal/safe.
It snaps into the strut very snug.

 

[akdiesel]

sublimateThanks. The two cabinets are 750 series and the one on the left is 56"
http://www.listabox.com/model-750/double-bank/specs.php. I ordered it without the wheels.
The one on the right is the SC model 28 1/2" x 28 1/2".
The seat opening between the cabinets is approx 36" wide. I tried to find two cabinets that were identical in width size but found the longer 56" drawers would work better for longer tools and tools that I had a lot of like sockets and wrenches to stay together.

 

[akdiesel]

Charging Station

I wanted to keep the bench top clear of tools and loose items I am not working on. Of course keeping it clean is a major task, but it will get there.
I took one of the Wallcontrol shelves and flipped it over so the chargers were at an angle and bent the lips to work correctly. I silicone the chargers to the shelf as well as the shelf top to the brackets so when removing the batteries it would not pull up.

 

[dittle fart around]

Very very clean and well done- completely jealous. Thank you for sharing your info on the Wallcontrol product exactly the match I was looking for !

Check out wall control steel pegboard on my site.

 

[akdiesel]

dittle fartI was unaware you sold them. Great product.

Lista Upper Cabinets

Got the upper cabinets in finally. Three of them. They are 40" wide. They have a 42" model but with the Unistrut channel on the ends on both sides it cuts my measure down to approx 124" so I am left with an 1 1/2" gap between the cabinets and the strut pieces. I have an idea for the space but thats another page.
The upper cabinets are 29" tall x 15" deep with one shelf each.
I ordered the mounting brackets for them from Lista. I could have used the 7/8" strut to hold them, but I was not sure how they would be supported on the wall so better safe then sorry and the supports are very simple to use and understand with multiple anchor locations for the wall.

 

[akdiesel]

LED Lighting Upper Cabinet

Now that I have the upper cabinets in place I need to have task lighting. I installed the same LED lighting as the lower cabinets have. The push button switch is on the center Unistrut channel that is in between the pegboard.
The lighting is 12v so had to install a transformer and I mounted it below the left cabinet and above the paper towel holder. I was going to try and mount it behind the cabinets but the transformer indicates hot surface so this is something that needs to breath.
It is not as bright as the temp lights I had earlier but it works just fine.

 

[Modern Jess]

I was unaware that you could use Unistrut as electrical raceway. I went to look at all the fittings you can use, and sure enough, there's a wealth of stuff! Thanks for the tip.

Hmmm. That gives me an idea...

 

[akdiesel]

Unistrut Trolly System

This is work in progress, so it may take a few more sections then the others. I wanted to have the means of lifting heavier items and transport them to the bench or put them into the cabinets that will be installed later in the future along the wall. I am also incorporating a library ladder so I can reach upper cabinets.
The system will have a lifting capacity of approx 500 lbs. (I hope). According to the supports and the trollies P2950 I got the 500 lbs is below their ratings.
The tracks are going to be 20' long. I wanted to reduce as many joints as possible. I opted to paint the sections myself with black enamal paint. So the floor and everything else has a slight blackish dust to it since it is freezing outside now. There will be one curve in the system to be able to reach a section in the shop that is for long item storage.

 

[machine_punk]

I love unistrut and I love what you are doing with it. I've been thinking about a unistrut trolley for my garage too. Looking forward to seeing what you end up with!

I use unistrut to mount my Reconfigurable Tool Rack to the wall...
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Kev

 

[akdiesel]

machine_punk
I've seen your work. Great detail on your craftsmanship.

 

[shopnut]

You mentioned you had some other Unistrut projects in the works in my build thread, but wow, that workbench and surrounding workspace is top rate. Lots of nice features built in that will prove handy for years to come - very well thought out. And who doesn't like Lista. I love the look of the Unistrut painted black. The Black/Blue/Silver combo is sweet.

Question for you... Where did you source your 20ft sections of strut? You mentioned a local dealer. Was it an electrical supply house or something? The big box stores by me only sell the 10 foot sections.

I wanted to keep the bench top clear of tools and loose items I am not working on. Of course keeping it clean is a major task, but it will get there.

Many of us struggle with this one, me included

 

[akdiesel]

shopnut
Thanks for remarks. I follow yours and Jacks threads closely and have taken both of your reporting technique to try and make mine helpful.
Grainger was the local supplier for my strut. McMaster is another source for long struts.

 

[jdsac]

Very nice setup! Have you looked at this for your trolly?

http://www.harborfreight.com/110-volt-440-lb-capacity-electric-hoist-with-remote-control-40765.html

 

[machine_punk]

machine_punk
I've seen your work. Great detail on your craftsmanship.

thanks for the kind words. i really like the level of thought and detail you put into this project.

kev

 

[akdiesel]

jdsac
Thank you. I have looked into those lifts but for the trolly setup it will interfear with the cabinets, but I am looking at those for the other projects as well.
This projects is incorporated into the trolly frame work but will be a jib crane. I have two sections of double strut that are 7' long and this will work for the weight limit I need to lift items out of a truck bed or sort.
I have to give shopnut credit for the jib crane idea.

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

That's a real nice Lista workspace. The black and stainless always looks good on a LISTA installation. We just installed this one for a local auto enthusiast whose wife also needed her own dog grooming workspace. There is wall and window separating the two LISTA workspaces.

Lista became part of Stanley Black & Decker on 1/1/2012 and operates as the Storage and Workspace Solutions division. Vidmar became part of that division. The senior management came from Lista in Holliston where the team resides today. All Lista engineering and manufacturing is in Hollliston while Vidmar remains in Allentown, PA. From our perspective, it has been a very positive first year.

 

[Linda@Lista]

What a great looking workspace! I hope you won't mind me sharing it with our fans on Facebook.
Joe, you are 100% correct in your posting. Thank you for clearing things up!
Linda@Lista

 

[akdiesel]

Joe
Thanks for words. As much as I love to use stainless the cost was high for a bench top. I am always looking at your site for more boxes. Need to finish the corner section.

Linda
Thank you, and by all means share away. This was the whole reason for posting this topic on here, for others to have ideas of what products look like and how they work together. When I get back I plan on cleaning up the bench and will take a picture of it.

 

[akdiesel]

Trolley System continued

This is a long and sometimes exhausting project, but I still have a vision to see it through.
I got some of the pieces cut to length and welded most of the fittings to reduce the bolts and strut nuts since most of this will be in its final position. Some of it is painted black in the shop but most of it will be powder coated for durability.
The idea is to surround the cabinets with Unistrut channel for two reasons.
#1: To aid in protection of the cabinets so when rolling the welding table or sliding heavy items around on the trolley it does not damage them.
#2: To aid in support for the Jib crane and electrical cables since the future cabinets will be covering two outlets and I will relocate them to the front strut channel line the ones on the bench front.
I Tested out the trolley track and lifted a DeWalt table saw (I am estimating approx 50 lbs) and rolled it back and fourth to see just how well it traveled and how much the track bowed in unsupported sections.
No bend at that weight and it tracks very well. I will be putting a limit of 200 lbs on the trolley system. I feel this is a safe limit to lift items to put into the cabinets or onto the bench if needed.
Still lots to do on this.

 

[Motorhead Extraordinaire]

Unistrut is obviously the grownups version of the old Erector set. I am curious what are the types of things you are planning on lifting via the Unistrut arrangement?

Another question.... How did you mount the Lista overheads? Onto the Unistrut?

Regards,
Joe

 

[akdiesel]

Joe

I love working with this stuff. Lots of possibilities.
As for what I plan on lifting with the trolley, the table saw, portable air compressor, etc..., which I plan on storing in the future Lista cabinets (that have the slide trays) where the white peg board and wood bench are currently. But another reason for the trolley track is for a library ladder I am building with strut. I have the ladder built now and tried it out last night but was disappointed when it would not roll correctly due to twisting the wheels. I worked on a little fis to help keep thing straight and true with some Teflon blocks I had laying around. Much better but still some tweaking to do.
The upper Lista cabinets are held in place with their upper cabinet supports. They were easy to install and line all three up straight.
I will be using the 7/8" Unistrut to hold the future cabinets against the wall and from tipping when putting heavy items in them, just like I did with the bench.

 

[shopnut]

It's coming along nicely there akdiesel. Hang with it - it will be a joy to use when it's all done.