Shopping for basic white wall cabinets

[Scott H in Wheaton]

I want to install four 36" wide by 42" tall storage cabinets above my workbench. Looking for 4 of them.

I try to limit my budget on garage remodeling so I am looking for a basic cabinet with doors, either ready-to-assemble or pre-assembled.

Based on the few prices I looked up on the ol' InTErWebz, companies are wanting $300 and up for each unit. I was budgeting closer to $100 each.

Any recommendations out there or should I consider building my own? I have table saw, Kreg pocket hole jig, etc etc if I want to take the time to do it. If so, where have you found quick and basic plans for building?

Thanks..

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Upper cabinets will go over the tool boxes only. The area to the left has a water softener behind the cardboard and I will build a space frame for it and put door on it. Above that I intend to install an upright compressor and box it in with soundproofing and ventilation.
Already added the dedicated circuit for it.

 

[dittle fart around]

Look at the utility cabinets at Lowes or Home Depot.

View media item 10576
That's Vana White's cousin and my wife showing off the slightly over built table saw stand. Note the stacked white wall cabinets behind the wife. They were 45 bucks apiece and 3 doors wide, 12" deep.

 

[bdbecker]

How rigid are you on the 36x42 dimension? I haven't looked too close to see at what are considered standard sizes, but sometimes if you're willing to fudge those dimensions one way or the other, you can get something that is common and much less expensive vs. something that is custom built.

Here's a 36x30 on sale at Menards for $116 right now:
https://www.menards.com/main/kitche...82039469317292067&ipos=10&bargainStoreId=3045

 

[Catadj78]

I'd check habitat restore. I've seen them there in good shape before cheap

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

How rigid are you on the 36x42 dimension? I haven't looked too close to see at what are considered standard sizes, but sometimes if you're willing to fudge those dimensions one way or the other, you can get something that is common and much less expensive vs. something that is custom built.

Here's a 36x30 on sale at Menards for $116 right now:
https://www.menards.com/main/kitche...82039469317292067&ipos=10&bargainStoreId=3045

I have 62" above my workbench. With 20" off the worktop that gives me 42" to ceiling. I am trying to maximize storage space because I compromised on getting a 2 car instead of a 3 car garage. I don't want a lot of exposed clutter, I want to put things away. My current garage has been an awful mess for too many years, the new garage is going to stay clean and organized.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

I'd check habitat restore. I've seen them there in good shape before cheap

good idea, I've been there before but not recently

 

[Catadj78]

good idea, I've been there before but not recently

I didn't think about when I built some for my shop. Drove by one day and decided to stop and see what they had. Picked up a near new couch for my office for 60.00. They had a set of wood cabinets that were well built for 225. Entire set uppers, lowers and corners. Could have used some paint or refinishing to be perfect but a great deal. I spent more than that in materials alone to build mine. Closest one is an hour away for me so I don't stop by that often

 

[scottydosnntkno]

A cabinet that size will be more than a sheet of plywood when you factor in the back, four sides, three shelves (for a 42' tall cabinet) plus the solid wood for the front frame and doors. A sheet of cabinet ply is going to run 40-45, so your looking at at least 80 for the material alone. Plus the hardware, adhesives, labor and painting/finishing.

Just because you had a budget of $100 off the top of your head, If every RTA cabinet is 300+ (which doesn't even include assembly labor) then clearly that is the going rate and your estimated budget is wrong

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

A cabinet that size will be more than a sheet of plywood when you factor in the back, four sides, three shelves (for a 42' tall cabinet) plus the solid wood for the front frame and doors. A sheet of cabinet ply is going to run 40-45, so your looking at at least 80 for the material alone. Plus the hardware, adhesives, labor and painting/finishing.

Just because you had a budget of $100 off the top of your head, If every RTA cabinet is 300+ (which doesn't even include assembly labor) then clearly that is the going rate and your estimated budget is wrong

My budget was not based on what was available in the stores, or on the materials cost. I made the budget for what I was willing to pay and now I'm hunting to see if I can find something in that budget. The Habitat idea is good...I actually wouldn't mind painting them. I'm also looking for kitchen demolitions on Craigslist or for factory seconds/returned cabinets.
I was talking to a customer today and he showed me a variety of NEW cabinets he got from a local supplier for $30-$50 each...mis-matched sizes and colors, but he is willing to work with them.

It's just a garage, and I don't want to pay as much for cabinets as I paid for tool boxes or epoxied floor. It's just my idea of how I want to do it. May not match every one else's ideas, but if we all wanted the same thing we wouldn't need any other ice cream except vanilla.

 

[bc.]

Try checking on craigslist in your area, I have been waiting for a DIY kitchen remodeler to sell their old ones myself. Only problem is you might not get as many as you want. Also might want to check with a local cabinet company, sometimes they have extras from showrooms and stuff they get ride of.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Do NOT buy particle board cabinets ! Over a couple of years they will absorb moisture and pop the laminate.

 

[Parrothead]

IKEA - You'd be surprised at the quality. My brother had them in his old condo and I was honestly surprised at the quality. They're cheap too.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

IKEA - You'd be surprised at the quality. My brother had them in his old condo and I was honestly surprised at the quality. They're cheap too.

I remodeled an entire condo kitchen with IKEA cabinets and was impressed with the engineering and quality. They helped us sell the unit in 48 hours after listed for sale.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Try checking on craigslist in your area, I have been waiting for a DIY kitchen remodeler to sell their old ones myself. Only problem is you might not get as many as you want. Also might want to check with a local cabinet company, sometimes they have extras from showrooms and stuff they get ride of.

Yep, I'm on it...just started looking on C/L but have watched for a few days now. I found two 40" tall by 33" wide...almost afraid to buy them because I may not be able to find two more to match. Cheap at $80 for the pair though

 

[yhprum]

Here is one I made from standard size melamine boards.
Has pins for shelves, not shown in the photo.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6067262#post6067262

 

[kbs2244]

Find the size that will work and paint them

I built my first garage from salvaged wood.
It looked like hell until I go it painted.

That brought it all "together."

 

[Doug19]

Look at the utility cabinets at Lowes or Home Depot.

View media item 10576
That's Vana White's cousin and my wife showing off the slightly over built table saw stand. Note the stacked white wall cabinets behind the wife. They were 45 bucks apiece and 3 doors wide, 12" deep.

Do you happen to have a link to these cabinets. I cant find them on Lowes or Home Depots website.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Thanks for all the ideas and input.

I just got back from Habitat ReStore and picked up 6 brand new in-the-box wood cabinets, pre-finished in creamy white, with raised panel doors.
Plywood, not particle board. Hinges pre-attached, I only had to install the included soft-close mechanism.
When I build them I plan to glue and clamp, maybe add a few brads.





42" tall, got 4 of them at 27" wide with double doors
42" tall, got 1 at 12" wide
18" tall by 33" wide for a bridge in the center

$480

 

[Catadj78]

Thanks for all the ideas and input.

I just got back from Habitat ReStore and picked up 6 brand new in-the-box wood cabinets, pre-finished in creamy white, with raised panel doors.
Plywood, not particle board. Hinges pre-attached, I only had to install the included soft-close mechanism.
When I build them I plan to glue and clamp, maybe add a few brads.





42" tall, got 4 of them at 27" wide with double doors
42" tall, got 1 at 12" wide
18" tall by 33" wide for a bridge in the center

$480

Nice shop cabinets!

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Here is 3 of them assembled. The bridge will go over the clock near the middle. The narrow one at the far right end. I have 3 more of the large double door to assemble

 

[dnwong]

Hope you paint the walls with those nice cabinets.


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[Scott H in Wheaton]

Hope you paint the walls with those nice cabinets.

Absolutely!
Haven't decided on final colors, but I'm leaning towards antique white for the upper half and either a light teal or pea-soup green for the bottom half (like mid 60's chevy truck or Ford bronco), and then paint the HF 44 tool boxes to match the lower color.

 

[steel 35]

Thought for a minute there you were talking about white walls never mind.

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Thought for a minute there you were talking about white walls never mind.

Nope! I gots enough wide whites on my '36 Ford 1/2 ton (avatar pic)

 

[dittle fart around]

Do you happen to have a link to these cabinets. I cant find them on Lowes or Home Depots website.

I bought them 25 years ago for $54.00 per 3 door cabinet. The price may have gone up.

This set is from Lowes.