Between 705 & 1200 SQ/FT The Texas Barn in PA

[madison069]

I have that one as well....but will admit it has yet to be used ....what are you planning to fill it with?

I was thinking water first and place a second container filled with simple green or awesome from dollar store in the water.

This way I don’t waste solution and make it easier to drain and clean when I move.

In the harbor freight ultrasonic cleaner I’ve been using simple green with great results, but I do have a can of carburetor dip which I could place in the water as a secondary container.

 

[madison069]

Was able to get the bench primed. I will have to do a little sanding to fix some runs I found in the paint.




Overall I got good coverage on the bench frame with a 4” foam roller and used a brush on the corners. Next will be the gray paint like the welding table.

 

[gearhead1960]

What about adding a Lazy Susan to take advantage of the dead space? I'm sure you can weld in a top and bottom to support it. Doors would be optional....

 

[madison069]

What about adding a Lazy Susan to take advantage of the dead space? I'm sure you can weld in a top and bottom to support it. Doors would be optional....

Possible, it could keep the common stuff that’s on the bench hidden but at reach at the same time.

 

[madison069]

Was able to get the first coat of paint on the bench. The first coat didn’t cover 100% but I’m sure it will be better with the second coat.




I also got these end caps for the open ends of the tubes. I plan to put them on the bottom of the legs too so they are closed off.


I also installed the air line shut off valve since the bench will hinder easy access once I put the bench in place.


Even painted the black iron gray to blend in some.

Now to wait for the first coat to dry and then apply another coat.

 

[madison069]

Early this morning, I was able to get a second coat on the whole frame and then I rolled a third coat on the front and any exposed area where the toolboxes won’t hide.


After waiting 4 hours I decided to install the black plastic caps in the tubing ends. Side and bottom.


Then I rolled it close to the corner and set it in place.




Couldn’t plan the bench length any better considering where the 220v plug is located.


I need to notch the bench top for the air line. I also need to notch the metal frame too. I’m still trying to decide if I want to notch the metal frame or not.



Here is the other steel table next to it. The steel table is a few inches short, but I can put some spacers under the legs to raise it up.


When a good deal comes across for a steel plate to put on the bench top, I’ll replace the MDF top, but fo now it will work just fine. I do need to put a back splash trim on the back of the bench top prevent stuff from rolling off back there.

That’s it for today. I need to give the toolboxes a good cleaning, but it’s just so cold.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Good progress Cody!

 

[Lou's Garage]

That bench looks like it was made for that very spot!

Lou

 

[RickP]

That table fits great in your shop.

I need to notch the bench top for the air line. I also need to notch the metal frame too. I’m still trying to decide if I want to notch the metal frame or not.

I do need to put a back splash trim on the back of the bench top prevent stuff from rolling off back there.

Could you make the back splash extra thick to avoid having to notch the bench top?

That gray paint really looks good on the bench!

 

[madison069]

Good progress Cody!

Thanks Marc! Considering the amount of time I get to puddle on it I do agree it’s good progress. Like everyone else I’m sure, I wish it was done overnight!

That bench looks like it was made for that very spot!

Lou

It does look like it was built for it. I did deviate from my original plans, but this should work just fine. It might actually work out better then the original plans!

Could you make the back splash extra thick to avoid having to notch the bench top?

That gray paint really looks good on the bench!

The way the previous owner had cut the top board to the bench it wouldn’t look right. Could it work, yes. But one part of the L of the bench would have the top flush with the frame while the other part of the L bench would have a 1” lip overhang. So I think notching it would be better and then build the back splash around the valve. Hopefully in the future I will get to change out the top for something like a 1/4” steel plate.

 

[madison069]

Did some cleanup at the garage and loaded up the toolboxes to get them cleaned at the other garage where it’s warm.


Toolboxes loaded up.


Stopped at the car wash to pressure washed the outside of them.



Here they are after letting the ice thawed off and blew it all off with air.



Now to go through each drawer and remove the stickers.

 

[madison069]

Got them all cleaned and all of the labels off.


There was the cheap cabinet rubber linear in the drawers but I removed them.
The bottom drawer of one of them wouldn’t close and so I removed it and found these items in the bottom of the cabinet.


I got the us general toolbox cleaned but the bottom three drawer’s tracks are very sticky.


I need to pull those three out and clean the tracks. Then I’ll get my drawer linear material out and cut some down for as many drawers as I can.

 

[madison069]

Here’s the tool box liner.


Measure to cut,

Now in the tool boxes



I’m 2 drawers short of the third of the gray tool boxes. None has been cut for the harbor freight toolbox.

I did find the original source of this liner.

REDI-GUARD Tm TOOL BOX LINER - 72

# 1 Preferred Option for Do it yourself Tool Box owners Thickness: 1/16" Color: Black Attributes: Anti-Corrosive, non-sliding, dense material for the professional! MADE IN THE USA - Rolls are shipping 72" Wide UNFOLDED on a flat cardboard core. - Easy to cut yourself! - Enough material for...

nsimaterialsgroup.com

But at $140 for another 20ft of this liner is just a little steep when I don’t think I’ll need that much. Heck, it took me 5 years to use this up cause as per the packing slip i bought it October 2020.

 

[thammel]

Regarding notching the bench for the airline.....I'd bite the bullet and just move the airline up. I know, what a hassle, but I think you'd be happier that way.

 

[madison069]

Regarding notching the bench for the airline.....I'd bite the bullet and just move the airline up. I know, what a hassle, but I think you'd be happier that way.

If it was easy, I would. But cutting into the drywall and extending the pipe is not on my list of things to do right now.

 

[madison069]

Oh and I did clean the tracks on the harbor freight drawers an they roll in nicely now.

 

[madison069]

I seemed to have forgotten to show what I used to clean the toolboxes. A rug, window cleaner, goof off, plastic razor blade, paper towels, shop vac, and compress air from the air compressor.


Plus some elbow grease…

 

[madison069]

Regarding notching the bench for the airline.....I'd bite the bullet and just move the airline up. I know, what a hassle, but I think you'd be happier that way.

my initial answer seemed harsh, and I don’t mean to be just answered quickly.

Honestly I wasn’t planning for a bench to be in this corner. The initial goal was to use this corner as a storage for shop vac, and any standup tool on rollers. But with the deal of this bench I decided to change my plans. Honestly it don’t bother me too much and I think with the goal of replacing the MDF with steel when possible just means I will just notch the MDF but leave the frame as is. I can extend the steel top to overhang the back of the bench when the time comes. In the mean time I’ll just put something on the back to fill the gap between the bench and wall so stuff don’t roll off back there. What’s nice though is the air shut off is easily accessible by just reaching over the bench. Do I wish the air line was more in the center of the back wall, yes. But the back wall is solid in the cinder block and so this spot was the closest I could install the air line to the garage floor area via the cinder block. Hope that makes sense of my justification and why I did what I did.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

That is a heck of a deal you got on the bench and boxes. That is going to make a really nice workspace. With all the room you have, I would be tempted to pull the bench away from the wall just a bit more so that your bench top can run all the way to the edge of the frame. It is hard to tell the dimensions from the pics, but I would be tempted to rip down a 2x4 or 2x6 and attach it to the wall like a mini shelf and backstop to prevent roll-offs. You could size it and place it to overlap your benchtop by 1/4" and just run it up to the edges of the pipe.

 

[madison069]

That is a heck of a deal you got on the bench and boxes. That is going to make a really nice workspace. With all the room you have, I would be tempted to pull the bench away from the wall just a bit more so that your bench top can run all the way to the edge of the frame. It is hard to tell the dimensions from the pics, but I would be tempted to rip down a 2x4 or 2x6 and attach it to the wall like a mini shelf and backstop to prevent roll-offs. You could size it and place it to overlap your benchtop by 1/4" and just run it up to the edges of the pipe.

That’s another possibility. It won’t take up much room and like you said, I can just put a nice 2x dimensional lumber on the back for a backsplash.

 

[bdbecker]

That is a heck of a deal you got on the bench and boxes. That is going to make a really nice workspace. With all the room you have, I would be tempted to pull the bench away from the wall just a bit more so that your bench top can run all the way to the edge of the frame. It is hard to tell the dimensions from the pics, but I would be tempted to rip down a 2x4 or 2x6 and attach it to the wall like a mini shelf and backstop to prevent roll-offs. You could size it and place it to overlap your benchtop by 1/4" and just run it up to the edges of the pipe.

That's similar to what I did behind one of my tool chests in the last shop. I just used a 2x6 and some inexpensive shelf brackets. It ended up being a pretty handy space for storing my pry bars and battery chargers. Also gave me a good spot to stash my project axes.

 

[madison069]

That's similar to what I did behind one of my tool chests in the last shop. I just used a 2x6 and some inexpensive shelf brackets. It ended up being a pretty handy space for storing my pry bars and battery chargers. Also gave me a good spot to stash my project axes.

I dig that idea

 

[OutlawDrifter]

That's similar to what I did behind one of my tool chests in the last shop. I just used a 2x6 and some inexpensive shelf brackets. It ended up being a pretty handy space for storing my pry bars and battery chargers. Also gave me a good spot to stash my project axes.

Do I spy Wilde Tool prybars?!

If so, I have a similar set, and used to work just down the street from the factory.

 

[bdbecker]

Do I spy Wilde Tool prybars?!

If so, I have a similar set, and used to work just down the street from the factory.

Yep... HJE had a sale going on several years ago and I picked up everything but the 45". I went a long time not having a set of prybars and now often wonder how I ever got by without them.

 

[madison069]

Yep... HJE had a sale going on several years ago and I picked up everything but the 45". I went a long time not having a set of prybars and now often wonder how I ever got by without them.

You used tire irons and big flat head screwdrivers like most of us.

 

[madison069]

So with the upcoming weekend weather, I figured I’d better get the toolboxes back to the garage. If anyone says you can load a series 1 us general 42” toolbox into a truck bed by yourself, they are correct. But should you do it? I would give it some more thoughts on getting help. I loaded all 4 toolboxes in the truck but that red one was heavy.

None the less I got them back into the bench frame, with a little help from the floor jack I was able to get them in place without too much damage to the frame. Got a few chips but nothing bad and a little paint will fix it.

So here they are!



Now that it’s all back together, that missing drawer trim on the bottom right red toolbox is sticking out like a sore thumb. Where can I get just one of those drawer trim?

 

[OutlawDrifter]

That's going to be a nice setup Cody.

I was able to get parts for my 5+ year old 12" miter saw from Harbor Freight. I was able to order the whole shield assembly through the parts side of the website.

https://www.harborfreight.com/parts

 

[madison069]

That's going to be a nice setup Cody.

I was able to get parts for my 5+ year old 12" miter saw from Harbor Freight. I was able to order the whole shield assembly through the parts side of the website.

https://www.harborfreight.com/parts

Thanks! I found aluminum trim listed on a toolbox list but no pictures. They had 2 listed at the same price so I just bought both and they should be in about a week from now.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Cody, on the shelf on the right hand side you might consider building some boxes that fit underneath the shelf. If you build the boxes to just fit under the shelf and put wheels on the rear edge they would be easy to roll under the shelf even when loaded. The wheels I‘m thinking of would just barely come into play when you lift the front of the box 1 inch. I hope I’m being clear in my description. The benches I built for my first shop were made out of wood, 4x4 corner posts with 2x4 framing and plywood horizontal material. After I built the first one I realized that to maximize their utility I needed to raise the lower shelf by a couple inches so I could slide the milk crates I had underneath them. Worked great and eliminated a dead space that would have just become a **** show of ****! YRMV! Your shop is turning out great, glad you’re getting some Good Deals too!

 

[madison069]

Cody, on the shelf on the right hand side you might consider building some boxes that fit underneath the shelf. If you build the boxes to just fit under the shelf and put wheels on the rear edge they would be easy to roll under the shelf even when loaded. The wheels I‘m thinking of would just barely come into play when you lift the front of the box 1 inch. I hope I’m being clear in my description. The benches I built for my first shop were made out of wood, 4x4 corner posts with 2x4 framing and plywood horizontal material. After I built the first one I realized that to maximize their utility I needed to raise the lower shelf by a couple inches so I could slide the milk crates I had underneath them. Worked great and eliminated a dead space that would have just become a **** show of ****! YRMV! Your shop is turning out great, glad you’re getting some Good Deals too!

I think I know what you’re saying, basically boxes that slides under the silver toolboxes on the floor. Just two wheels on the back so you pick the front up to make it roll out from under. Not a bad idea!

 

[zmotorsports]

Workbench with toolboxes looks awesome Cody. That will be pleasant to stand and work at.

Sorry if I missed this, but can I ask what the height is to the top of your workbench, the working surface?

 

[Xti04]

Cody that setup looks awesome. Makes me wish I had room for a built-in setup like that. I have tried on vain to find a couple vidmars or Listas so I could build out a fastener and small parts storage but they just dont seem to exist around here. If I could come across a few I would toss my current bench and build a setup like that with the boxes built in.

 

[madison069]

Workbench with toolboxes looks awesome Cody. That will be pleasant to stand and work at.

Sorry if I missed this, but can I ask what the height is to the top of your workbench, the working surface?

It somewhere between 40-42” I will have to measure it again when I go back.

 

[madison069]

Cody that setup looks awesome. Makes me wish I had room for a built-in setup like that. I have tried on vain to find a couple vidmars or Listas so I could build out a fastener and small parts storage but they just dont seem to exist around here. If I could come across a few I would toss my current bench and build a setup like that with the boxes built in.

Vidmars and Listas are stupid high around here right now. If I do come across within my budget I might switch myself.

 

[cccoltsicehockey]

The work bench setup came out great. Nice find and nice work on it.

 

[fouckhest]

Work bench came out, quite envious!

 

[madison069]

The work bench setup came out great. Nice find and nice work on it.

Work bench came out, quite envious!

Thanks! It’s been one of those items I’ve always wanted to build, but cost and time kept me from starting on one. Guess it pays sometimes to put off projects as a good deal can come along!

 

[madison069]

First aluminum strip came in for the toolbox. Guess I should be surprised that it’s not the right one since there was no details or photos. But where does this trim go?

Also, $6 for the trim and free shipping. I don’t think any profit was made with this purchase just due to the box size!



Waiting for the other trim to come in and see if that part number would be the correct one.

 

[madison069]

Doesn’t look like the snow is going to melt anytime soon, so I went ahead and snow blowed the front area of the garage.

Then I went and picked up a flammable cabinet this morning. Once I get it cleaned up and painted, I’ll put it in the bunker for gas, propane and so on.



It was a little pricey at $200, but I figured it was worth it.

 

[madison069]

Trim number 2 came in, no way they made profit on this one either, $6 free shipping for it too.



Maybe I’m missing something but I’m going to see if this works somehow. Maybe just cut it down and slip it on someway?