Lista Cabinets coming

[MaxxDog]

I just picked up 3 used Lista cabinets and they're on their way home.
All the same size - 28 x 28 x 41 3/4. They were in the maintenance department of a pharma company. I'm debating the following:

1) What's best material to top these? a) butcher block top - 84" x 30" or b) plywood with an appropriate covering on top of it. I'm figuring buying the top versus building one with plywood and cover (that can be replaced when damaged) pretty much the same cost- versus my time-wise. Butcher top is pretty no doubt. Top will be used as workbench in garage.

2) If these need a repaint, how easy or difficult to do? I've seen the results with rattle can on this forum. Some jobs look really good. I always get drips and orange peel when I try. I've sprayed before with reasonable success. Its a lot of prep. I'd have to do it outside and wouldn't know what type of paint to use, etc. I have not used paint/roller. I of course I could take it to my local car paint guy and he could spray them also.

3) Liners/dividers - obviously a personal decision based on what you're putting in them. For me, tools, precision instruments, electronic parts, bike parts, motor parts, misc clutter in the garage. Between the three cabinets I have 19 drawrs, 4x2, 4x3, 5x5, 5x7 and 1x9. Any comments / experiences on what's proven durable/useful or a waste? Aluminum dividers, versus foam inserts versus plastic boxes etc

Thanks in advance. Comments or direction to links are welcome.

 

[472scout]

The intended uses determines what top would be best. Working on cars, woodworking, playing with little plastic soldiers?

 

[akdiesel]

Great start on a great cabinet system.
I purchased two 30" x 72" 12gauge bench tops from Grainger for a good price. I simply cut one to meet my length needs and welded the seam. I put some wood and Unistrut underneath to stiffen and eliminate the echo it may have when working.

I can not comment on painting them but Lista sells the factory colors for painting them if you need it.

I found some great liners on Amazon. They are Eppco 24" x 30'. Solid liners that grip tools from and the drawers from sliding around. The size is great for Lista cabinets and they cut easy enough.

 

[MaxxDog]

Thanks for the liner reference.

As for usage, no metal working or grease related though I do have a top end motorcycle rebuild lined up. I need something durable and easy to clean but doesn't have to stay sparkling.

I'm considering a nice thick top - 3/4 phenolic ply over 3/4 mdf over 3/4 ply - 32" in depth should get me to 3" thickness with cutoffs then trim with a hardwood.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I always recommend covering the counter top surface with a piece of tempered hardboard. It's nice and smooth, very hard, and resists grease and oil pretty well (you can slap a coat of varnish on it for a little extra protection if you like.) And, when it does get too beat up you can simply replace it. Saves a lot of wear on the material underneath.

 

[admranger]

I have a stainless steel top on my lista cabinets. Kinda pricey though... I got it from Lista. Maybe a local company could make one for your setup?

 

[Linda@Lista]

Hi MaxxDog, please post photos for all of us to see
My two cents would be this, I would go for a butcher block top. It's a personal preference and I you don't need to worry about any true damage. As for lining the drawrs, I think the mesh liners, dividers and red bins are the way to go. From everything that I hear, the foam drawer liners are great, and then they become a pain unless you are working in a shop and need to know what is missing or has been misplaced.

Linda