The modern Craftsman garage

[JNGTexas]

I have always been a huge fan of Craftsman tools. I have worked professionally with my hands for many years and used a variety of both expensive and economy tools. When I was working at a heavy machinery repair shop about 20 years ago we had a massive fire. The building not only burned but also collapsed one of the waste oil tanks causing a long and hot fire.

When the fire was out all the tool trucks arrived to sell us new tools and supplies. Not one of the big three (Snap-on, Mac, Matco) at that time offered us any assistance or warranty on any of their tools. (And in fact wouldn't warranty many tools that failed later because they had been in the fire)

Craftsman and the local Sears store really stepped up. Sold us tools a great discounts and warranteed many items that were damaged in the fire. I was sold and have used them almost exclusively since!

I am finaly in a place in my life where I can build my own custom garage and plan on using all the craftsman supplies available

 

[ChrisF250]

Looks good, keep it up

 

[wolflrv]

Very nice garage setup you've got started!!

I agree with Craftsman warranty being about the best there is! I found an old rusted out set of hedge trimmers..I mean really frozen with rust and the wooden handles were rotted and mostly gone. There was enough though, to see the Craftsman stamp. I took them in to the local Sears and walked out with a brand new set of hedge trimmers...no questions asked!

 

[JNGTexas]

I picked up the 8 of the 26 inch base cabinets on sale and want to use them as a base for the workbench under the back cabinets. I was supprised that Craftsman did not make the wall cabinets the same width as any of their base cabinets so there will be an "odd" spacing that I haven't decided how to handle.

These are the shorter cabinets so they should fit under the table I plan on building. Since the cabinets measure a true 28 inches wide and the bottom boxes are only 26 inches wide, I thought I would use a 2 inch square metal tubing as the legs for the bench making the bottom boxes 28 inches as well.

I don't plan on using the casters, and since the bottom of the boxes are recessed, I plan on making 1 inch spaces from plywood to fit in the recess. This will also give me a sturdy base to attach the box to the bench.

 

[onemore]

Nice hear a good sears craftsman story. I worked for sears 20 years ago and loved helping customers and it drove my passion for tools. Whenever I walk into a sears my blood pressure seems to lover and brings back good memories.

 

[Drebs]

awesome im definitely gonna be watchin his one

 

[JNGTexas]

So this weekend I took on the bench for my garage. I planned to use Craftsman lower work boxes without the wheels or tops as drawer units in a welded up workbench. With a little work its looking good tonight.


Used a jig after the first leg assembly was made to ensure all the rest were alike.


Trial fit of the last box on the South wall


Everything tacked together and ready for a final weld up after church tomorrow.


Some of my vintage stuff I'm going to display.

 

[JNGTexas]

Well another weekend is in the can. I really wish my wife would stop watching those remodel shows on HGTV. She thinks everything should be completed in 30 minutes by a few studs who never break a sweat! But she has been really supportive of my project. Just the speed sort of under-whelms her!


Got the final weld-up completed and some black industrial paint applied early this morning.


Haven't decided how to finish off the top. This is just 2X12 Birch attached to the frame. Thought I might go over the top with a piece of folded steel or maybe just laminate for now. I also need to make some kind of bull nose cover to round over the front edge.

 

[Red Leader]

Well another weekend is in the can. I really wish my wife would stop watching those remodel shows on HGTV. She thinks everything should be completed in 30 minutes by a few studs who never break a sweat! But she has been really supportive of my project. Just the speed sort of under-whelms her!


Got the final weld-up completed and some black industrial paint applied early this morning.


Haven't decided how to finish off the top. This is just 2X12 Birch attached to the frame. Thought I might go over the top with a piece of folded steel or maybe just laminate for now. I also need to make some kind of bull nose cover to round over the front edge.

Those shows probably don't show all the time that those projects really took. Kinda like those cooking shows, where the lady is talking about ingredients and 30 seconds later she's pulling it out of the oven haha.

Add to that 1 person, doing it right, the time adds up. I know for me it ALWAYS takes longer than I think it will. But its always worth it in the end, too.

 

[SoL from Sweden]

wow! so. much. DRAWERS! love it!

 

[CD360]

very nice!

 

[sscustom]

looks nice liking the old toolboxes on top

 

[Raze]

Haven't decided how to finish off the top. This is just 2X12 Birch attached to the frame. Thought I might go over the top with a piece of folded steel or maybe just laminate for now. I also need to make some kind of bull nose cover to round over the front edge.

I just went through this with my workbench (which isn't nearly as nice or cool as yours, kudos!). After seeing the What's your workbench look like? thread I got ideas for topping my plywood topped bench. For me, I needed something to keep brake fluid, oil, solvents, etc from damaging the work surface, but wouldn't break the bank. I liked the thought of a sheet of stainless, but settled on high strength ribbed vinyl, and an aluminum edge. I also like the car parking mat topped bench. Whatever you choose, it looks like it's going to be awesome!

 

[PsRumors]

looks nice liking the old toolboxes on top

The old boxes really do look great...

 

[allinon72]

WOW I've never seen so much Craftsman storage in one place

 

[white500xl]

Great looking set up! as for a top, I would suggest going to a sheet metal shop with your top measurements and getting a quote on a sheet metal top with a back splash molded in the back. You could add a back splash board to nail the rolled metal to. Sure would keep small parts from falling behind the bench! Also on one area maybe on one end, I would reinforce the top with a 1/4 inch thick plate say around six to eight feet long, for heavy pounding. That's where I would also mount a vise to. Keep us posted on the continued progress!

 

[jimmie jam]

WOW. I'm in on this one, very nice build!

 

[Falcon67]

IDEAS. Dang that's nice work. Great layout. I was just up there this weekend for a wedding. Shoulda looked you up LOL.

 

[John in OH]

Those shows probably don't show all the time that those projects really took. Kinda like those cooking shows, where the lady is talking about ingredients and 30 seconds later she's pulling it out of the oven haha.

Add to that 1 person, doing it right, the time adds up. I know for me it ALWAYS takes longer than I think it will. But its always worth it in the end, too.

+1 on this one!! My wife can never understand why I'm a little hesitant to take on another project ... but I look at the work required and know the actual time commitment will be far more than I originally estimate ... (as well as the final cost!!)

Really like this tool cabinet set up!!

 

[Lubritec]

Hi, im need in this forum, im from Costa Rica, let me tell you that your garage looks nice and i think it will be amazing, the idea of the older tool boxes its very original.. Good luck !!!

 

[dittle fart around]

+1 on this one!! My wife can never understand why I'm a little hesitant to take on another project ... but I look at the work required and know the actual time commitment will be far more than I originally estimate ... (as well as the final cost!!)

Really like this tool cabinet set up!!

I wife is used to doubling the time and money on every project I start.

 

[widerberg]

This is gorgeous! I love the uniformity of all the cabinets and the contrast between the old tool boxes and the new cabinets. Beautiful.

 

[BRIANBB]

I am partial to the Crafstman look as well.

 

[JNGTexas]

@BRIANBB I love the color scheme. I especially like your cabinet with two doors on the bottom and drawers on the top.

 

[John in OH]

I am partial to the Crafstman look as well.

Even your Lincoln MIG welder matches!!

 

[4StarCstms]

Nice job. Not a craftsman fan myself, but it looks good, and will hopefully last you for years to come.

 

[bandit79]

Looking good!

 

[Mr.ratchet]

Well another weekend is in the can. I really wish my wife would stop watching those remodel shows on HGTV. She thinks everything should be completed in 30 minutes by a few studs who never break a sweat! But she has been really supportive of my project. Just the speed sort of under-whelms her!


Got the final weld-up completed and some black industrial paint applied early this morning.


Haven't decided how to finish off the top. This is just 2X12 Birch attached to the frame. Thought I might go over the top with a piece of folded steel or maybe just laminate for now. I also need to make some kind of bull nose cover to round over the front edge.

I hear you about wives thinking most projects take 30 minutes at the longest a weeked.(multiple epesodes lol). I have been working on my garage for a month. But I don't get full weekends with 3 kids(7,12, and 4months old). She just wants it done so I can start the honey do list.

Sorry back to your garage. I have to say AWSOME. I wanted to buy metal cabinets just didn't have the $,$$$.

 

[marty_p]

Two thumbs up, Buddy! That is incredible!!!

And one day, I'll be posting my own Craftsman Garage Storage pics here!

Keep us posted!

 

[markito]

Any updates pics on this?

 

[radrush]

Any updates and pics on this?