Need advice on a workbench and tool boxes

[hdmark80]

I need some opinions. I sold my Milwaukee tool box after deciding it took up too much floor space for the anount of tools it held. I also have this 13 foot long work table the previous home owner built. It's a blessing and a curse because of the size. I bought one of the 52 inch husky rollers on clearance and one of the 46 inch on spring black Friday special. I originally planned on putting both under the work bench without casters on. The 46 inch is shorter so i was going to build a base to make it equal in height to the 52 inch. Well today i was at another store and found another of the 52 inch boxes. All 3 will not fit under unless i rebuild the base of the table. I have also thought about getting rid of the table and lining up the the boxes and using as is but then I dont have a spot for a vice etc. So what would you guys do, keep the table or rip it out? If i keep it i want to replace the top as right now they're just doors. Also any good ideas to repurpose the wood tops of the husky boxes?

 

[sr71]

The workbench is too low...and looks like it's ready to cave in. For what it's worth I'd demo it and build a solid bench that your toolboxes can roll under. Leave the wood top on the Husky ... if you roll it out to work on something it will serve as a portable bench

 

[2000-cvpi]

Is that bucket and jack stand holding the bench up? I would redo the bench to exactly what you want and need.

 

[hdmark80]

Lol. I forgot to explain that. I had to take the front support off to get the box underneath. It's actually a sturdy table and it's a good height for me. I thought about raising it to be able to roll the boxes underneath but it really would be too tall for me.

 

[Shiftless]

Is that bucket and jack stand holding the bench up? I would redo the bench to exactly what you want and need.

on that ^^^^^^^^^^^^

There are several good workbench threads here on GJ. Decide what work you will be doing and build accordingly. Personally, I have one with a ladder frame out of 2x4s screwed to the wall studs in back and resting on a couple of 4x4 posts in the front. Topped with 2x6 construction grade lumber which is topped with a sacrificial layer of 1/4 inch tempered hardboard (aka: Masonite)
Any greasy project that comes along I use a drip pan)

Needless to say, no matter what, you HAVE to allow for the mounting of AT LEAST one vintage American made bench vise.

 

[driftpin]

I'm no shop pro, but I agree w/sr71, it's low, it looks rickety, demo that and build something suitable. Personally, I like my toolboxes w/casters, it gives you options in shop layout, and a more-versatile area in-which to work. You can roll a toolbox next-to where you need it if it's gonna be something you're working on awhile.

There are plenty threads on here about building workbenches, do some spring reading and decide on a plan of action. For a benchtop, I like a 24" deep one, but you might want something deeper if you have lots of room. I ripped a 4 x 8 piece of CDX and glued & screwed the two halves together, to make a one-piece top (no seams on the top) and then I covered that with a 3/16" piece of steel, which I wipe down occasionally w/mineral spirits. My bench works for me, do the search function, read-up on what others have done, and plan your project to avoid mistakes.

I also have a thin sheet-metal lip screwed to the back of the plywood which is like a 4" backsplash to keep anything from rolling-behind the back of the workbench.

The workbench is too low...and looks like it's ready to cave in. For what it's worth I'd demo it and build a solid bench that your toolboxes can roll under. Leave the wood top on the Husky ... if you roll it out to work on something it will serve as a portable bench

 

[taumac]

There's are tons of people who built toolboxes in frames or put them on the floor. Here's the problem. How you gonna move it? My opinion is to get rid of the bench, put casters back on the toolbox and line up the boxes. Now either use the top of the box for work surface or build new bench just tall enough to roll toolboxes under.

 

[exmaxima1]

It is very easy to put a bench top on a chest. I bought a CM 52" chest, removed the casters and screwed some plywood squares in their place (so I wouldn't damage the caster bosses). Slipped a 24 x 96 top on it and attached the top to the wall to keep it in place. Added a couple of DIY cabs on the ends to make up the length. Very easy and I can disassemble it in minutes when/if I move.

 

[guyerst]

I also got rid of the tool box to get floor space back. I built a couple wall cabinets to hold tools and other stuff. I'm only doing basic maintenance on my cars, so not a huge quantity of tools. This probably wouldn't work for someone with a larger collection of tools. I had more wall space than floor space after hanging plywood on the walls, so this worked well for me.

Edit: Ugh... the old iPad takes a pretty crappy pic, sorry.