Mobile workbench project

[ilya]

I live in a 500 sq. ft. studio in a multi-story building with underground parking garage. I service my motorcycle and friends' cars on a regular basis and I needed a convenient way of bringing my tools to and from the garage. I started out with a Crafstman plastic rolling toolbox and a 20.5" wide portable tool chest. It was quite cumbersome to carry / roll these boxes around, so I began thinking of a better way. Eventually I bought an open-stock 24"x36" Edsal service cart with the aim of transforming it into a mobile workbench / tool chest.

The widest tool chest that I could find that'd fit was a 22" Crafstman homeowner's series. Its fit and finish are very poor and I'd rather have another drawer instead of the "take with box". However, for $40 it'll do.

Here's the current state of affairs:

I've purchased 1 1/32" thick laminated pine board to serve as a workbench surface.

This is a detail shot of service cart assembly.

I'm not yet sure about how to attach the workbench top to the cart, so I am looking for suggestions / ideas. For long term durability, what type of treatment (paint, wood stain, etc.) should I apply to the laminated pine board?

Thanks,

Ilya.

 

[rickairmedic]

Ilya you could attatch some 2X4 pieces to the bottom of your top board and then screw them them to the sides of the cart so they are inside the cart I hope I explained that ok .

Rick

 

[nissan_crawler]

Ilya you could attatch some 2X4 pieces to the bottom of your top board and then screw them them to the sides of the cart so they are inside the cart I hope I explained that ok .

Rick

Sounds like the best shot to me. I would try an epoxy resin to cover it. That seems to hold up the best on toolboxes, although I do just varnish mine. I sand it and revarnish it with about 5 coats every 1.5 years or so.

 

[tsumetai-kokoro]

flip the top upside down run the wood leg reinforcements all the way up and bolt the workbench surface through the steel into the wood and bolt the box to the steel.

then weld 4 junkyard stock scissor jacks to the bottom of the lower platform next to the wheels so you can lock it down rock solid when you put it where you want it. then you can hit things in the vise and not have the whole cart run away

 

[ilya]

...then weld 4 junkyard stock scissor jacks to the bottom of the lower platform next to the wheels...

This is a great idea! I knew that not having solid contact points with the floor might be a problem, but I didn't have a solution for it.

 

[goodfellow]

That's a nice and tight setup. Very versatile -- good thinking on your part.

The only thing I'd add to the bottom is a midsize container to hold trash and/or funnels and rags so the drips don't go all over the floor when you change fluids or working on projects where fluids are involved.

A large coffee can would do -- paint it up to match the color of the cart or the toolbox.

 

[tsumetai-kokoro]

This is a great idea! I knew that not having solid contact points with the floor might be a problem, but I didn't have a solution for it.

honda and toyota jacks seem to me to be the lowest

 

[rocketman]

From a woodworking standpoint. You could use countersunk carriage bolts to hold the top down and fill the hole with dowel and cut/sand flush. There are some pretty hard poly coatings you could use but I like one made for Salad Bowls, super clear, super hard. General Finishes I think from Woodcraft stores. Here's the link.
General Finishes Salad Bowl Finish