My workbench build

[blueline69]

I posted a few months back about my need for a workbench and tool storage (original design and post here www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274519)

This was my first shot at carpentry and had to really take my time to ensure it would come out as I'd hoped. I didn't have the cash to drop on a nice metal system and didn't like the look of the basic 2x4 or 2x6 build with open storage, so I improvised. Its not entirely done as I will be painting the fronts a high gloss blue (see original post for projected outcome photos) and need to purchase more drawer pulls. I plan on building upper cabinets next to match and need to decide what I will use for the top. On with the build...

Framless base cabinet set on independent 2x4 box, then secured to wall. This made it easier to level the 2x4 base first, then add the cabinet on top. Drawers were constructed using 3/4 plywood as I had screwed up my first few cuts and decided against attempting dadoes. Pretty sure I could drive my truck over them and they'd hold up.

Dimensions
8ft long
Base cabinet 22" deep
40" tall including base
Each opening around 31" wide
Drawers 20" deep
2, 3" tall drawers in top center
5, 6" tall drawers
1, 10" tall drawer

Material:
3/4 plywood throughout
5/8 MDF fronts
Pro 100 20" full extension drawer glides ($30 + 19 shipping ebay for 12 pair)
Blum framless hinges ($17 ebay for 10)
Gliderite 12" T bar pulls ($27 shipped for 10 awesome quality for price)

Tools
Keg pocket jig (the cheaper $30 one)
Kreg rip cut
Table saw
Chop saw
Basically drill and hand tools

Its not perfect but I'm extremely pleased with it. It took me about a month to build, working on it a few hours a week. I think I have around $250 in this bench, excluding the price of both kreg tools (which I would reccomend to anyone)

See post #22 on this thread for update with uppers and hardware

See post #26 for minor update

<iframe class='imgur-album' width='100%' height='550' frameborder='0' src='http://imgur.com/a/vhPPP/embed'></iframe>

 

[Carves]

Looks pretty good ..

The drawers have been sized for specific tool storage have they .. ??

 

[Moose02]

good job make sure to post your finished painted stained etc pics

 

[little d]

Blue,
that Sir, is amazing work, please post pics of it finished.

 

[MushCreek]

Wow- that's awesome work! I'm currently building our kitchen cabinets, with 32 drawers, so I'm getting good at it. I can't wait to use my newly-learned skills in my shop. The wife thinks I'm learning cabinetry for her kitchen.....

+1 on the Kreg jig. I'm using the heck out of mine, too.

 

[captain14]

That's a good looking workbench! Please post the finished product photo when you are done.

 

[viking01]

For a first carpentry project, that looks amazing!! ... my own first project was just about good enough for the stove so I am in absolute awe! Good work!

~Yo

 

[arz71]

Do you have the diagrams for this project or did you design this yourself.

 

[Terranova]

That looks great.

I'm jealous. I've been doing dadoes with a plunge router. I'm currently getting ready to do the drawers. I bought a PC dovetail jig. This is where I'm at.

View media item 48378
Here's the link to my build. Bench/drawer build.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256086


Keep up the good work!

I know this is gonna seem like a **** move to correct you, but what you and I are doing isn't carpentry, it's cabinetry. Carpentry is framing walls and building building type stuff.

T

 

[Terranova]

Where did you source the drawer glides?

 

[Chevy-SS]

Very nice! It's interesting hearing all the comments about "finishing" or "painting" or "staining". Heck, I think it looks great just like that. It's a workbench, meant to get used and abused. If the top gets really bad, just toss on another layer of plywood - at least, that's what I've been doing for 40 years.......

Well done.......

 

[blueline69]

The drawers have been sized for specific tool storage have they .. ??

The 3" drawers were designed to fit all my wrenches and sockets. The 10" drawer will hold my circular saw, drills and other power tools. I decided on 6" drawers for the others as it could be a catch all. I would like to have done more 3" drawers but the cost would have been much higher.

Do you have the diagrams for this project or did you design this yourself.

I designed it myself after watching this video

and doing basic research on cabinet building. I could get your more specific measurements of you are interested.

Where did you source the drawer glides?

jem-salvage is the eBay user name I purchased from. Looking back at my records it was $29 plus $20 shipping. Still the best deal I came accross. Also you're right, not carpentry at all. Either way it hasn't collapsed yet!

Take a look at http://gliderite.com/ . they have free shipping on their products and have very good pricing on glides and pulls.

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I won't be painting it until spring but will post again after my uppers are done.

For the record I do not work for any of the companies I mentioned above, just providing what I used as a reference for others. If there is an issue with me posting the info let me know and I'll take it down.

 

[YukonXL04]

Awesome work! That looks great! I'm a pretty decent carpenter and I don't know that I would have done that good lol... however I'm about to build a shop, and I haven't decided if I'm going to build my cabinets or buy used kitchen ones yet...

Great work!

 

[Shady Oaks Garage]

Re: My workbench build - frameless cabinet with drawers

good looking job post finished product pictures

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Very nice job. It looks really nice. I wished I had the skills to build a work bench.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[risc]

Wow, that's almost exactly what I want to build. Did you draw up any plans you could share? Is the $230 inclusive of wood and hardware?

 

[blueline69]

Wow, that's almost exactly what I want to build. Did you draw up any plans you could share? Is the $230 inclusive of wood and hardware?

Probably closer to $250 but yes, that includes material, hardware and screws. I could draw something up if you're interested and give you more specific numbers.

 

[risc]

Probably closer to $250 but yes, that includes material, hardware and screws. I could draw something up if you're interested and give you more specific numbers.

No need to go out of your way, I'd be modifying it quite a bit to fit my space.

 

[rockinacummins]

I dig that bench! Excellent job!

 

[Nele]

Nice work, one serious workbench!

 

[Need more space]

Very nice work!

 

[blueline69]

Finished the uppers today and got all the hardware on. Drawer liners are in and finally getting tools organized. Also got paint samples for the walls. Plan on grey bottom with blue strip (trimming out the stripe with black pin stripe) and white above that.

 

[TexasCoder]

I know the thread is a little old, but any updates? I plan on building a bench like yours. Great build!

 

[Bunk]

I know the thread is a little old, but any updates? I plan on building a bench like yours. Great build!

+1. I'd love to see the finished painted product.

Blueline69, first project or not, your cabinets are awesome.

 

[coolreed]

My brother in law asked me if I could make him a workbench. He has a small ranch and needed a strong workbench that he could bolt his vise down to. He is retired and on a limited budget. So,..I made this workbench for him out of 2 x 8 Fir from Home Depot. (It is pictured upside down.) It is connected using 1/2" x 8" Lag Bolts (20 each). I cut and assembled each 2 x 8 then laminated them with screws and glue.

The bench is 6' W 2' D 32" H. I have $135.00 in materials in it.

The Bench is incredibly stout and heavy. Once I get it on site I will put a 2" Fir Top and 2" Fir shelf on it.

 

[blueline69]

Thanks for the compliments, I really enjoyed it. I was able to paint the garage but have yet to paint the cabinets. My 69 chevelle had to be moved from storage unexpectedly and started to dive into it.

I bought an 8x7 garden shed for the back yard and have moved a lot of bulky items you see in the picture into it to free up the garage. I don't have a great picture of its current state but it's an update. Ill be out there trying to finish the rewire of the Chevelle and will try and grab a better picture of its current state.

For those that care... 69 Chevelle Malibu 383 Stroker 700r4, will be white bucket seats, staple shifter, original Lemanns blue (as seen on the firewall in the 2nd picture) with white stripes on SS hood. Going on 3 years so far

 

[Richard D]

The Bench is incredibly stout and heavy. Once I get it on site I will put a 2" Fir Top and 2" Fir shelf on it.

Holy ****, that's a Hell of a bench! What on Earth will he be working on?

 

[paulm12]

Thanks for the compliments, I really enjoyed it. I was able to paint the garage but have yet to paint the cabinets. My 69 chevelle had to be moved from storage unexpectedly and started to dive into it.

I bought an 8x7 garden shed for the back yard and have moved a lot of bulky items you see in the picture into it to free up the garage. I don't have a great picture of its current state but it's an update. Ill be out there trying to finish the rewire of the Chevelle and will try and grab a better picture of its current state.

For those that care... 69 Chevelle Malibu 383 Stroker 700r4, will be white bucket seats, staple shifter, original Lemanns blue (as seen on the firewall in the 2nd picture) with white stripes on SS hood. Going on 3 years so far

Great work on the cabinets, makes me think I could do the same. And lovin the Malibu too.

 

[paulm12]

My brother in law asked me if I could make him a workbench. He has a small ranch and needed a strong workbench that he could bolt his vise down to. He is retired and on a limited budget. So,..I made this workbench for him out of 2 x 8 Fir from Home Depot. (It is pictured upside down.) It is connected using 1/2" x 8" Lag Bolts (20 each). I cut and assembled each 2 x 8 then laminated them with screws and glue.

The bench is 6' W 2' D 32" H. I have $135.00 in materials in it.

The Bench is incredibly stout and heavy. Once I get it on site I will put a 2" Fir Top and 2" Fir shelf on it.

I bet is "stout". Did you find the 2x8s were straight enough for decent laminating? I have tried that a few times with 2x4s, ended up planing a few of them to ensure tight fit.