To Buy or Build workbench and cabinets?

[AnotherCARNUT]

On a shoe string budget and all the nice cabinets are yes way out of my price range. What do you suggest and building can get pricey but it can be bought in spurts. pictures would be helpful too.

is there such a thing as inexpensive (CHEAP) but good?

 

[KELLHAMMER]

The old adage is still true. "You get what you pay for".... Unless you build it yourself. Assuming you are capable. If not, educate yourself and take the project on. The rewards are always greater.

 

[Falcon67]

I always build my big wall benches. Usually you can find wood to reduce the price - scraps at new house builds, 2x4 studs are cheap. Spend your $$ on a solid top of 1 or two layers of 3/4 ply or thick MDF. You can make a heck of an 8' bench with a good piece of 4x8 3/4 ply, some studs and a 12' 4x4 for the corner legs. And a hand full of carriage bolts. Tractor Supply sells Grade 5 and 8 bolts by the pound, way cheaper than Lowes or HD.

Cabinets - I seldom use them unless I get some cheap, like from a kitchen remodel or garage sale. To build half decent cabinets you need decent MDF or plywood and that runs into $$$ quick.

 

[regguy1]

Take your time and do a neat job, give attention to details and paint everything so it looks finished and you'll be able to make something for not so much money that will last and look good. First you need to determine what you want / need, certainly plenty of ideas to be had on GJ


2 threads with photos.......

This storage system was cheap to build:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65557

My plywood and 2" x 4" homemade workbench with storage, scroll down to post 268 here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50406&page=14

 

[richtersrodz]

I built all of my own kitchen cabinets. I won't repost pictures here, but if you want to
see them, hit my profile pictures of my house. Cabinets are just boxes.. and it is up to
you, on how expensive you make them. My kitchen cabinets were 3/4 birch, at over $20
a sheet, and it adds up real fast. You can't get many panels out of a 4x8 sheet. So it takes
a lot of wood. But you could always go with cheaper non sanded on the back, and nicer
stuff on the front, if that is what you want.. but in the end, they are just a box, with
your flavor of door on the front.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I think it's always cheaper to build benches. Another option is to buy them second-hand, but a bench is a pretty particular tool.

On the other hand, I think it's often more time- and cost-effective to buy cabinets second-hand. It takes time and patience, though.

I built all of my benches. My cabinets are a mix of second-hand uprights and soffit-style ones like regguy1's, made with plywood and MDF. The high-up ones don't need to be as rugged as the ones you'll be using on a more-frequent basis.

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

Thanks folks. I've been looking though a ton of the threads here on GJ. Lot's of ideas foresure. Even looked at the before pictures and the worst does not match up to mine. Wife won't let me build my own workshop but did say I could do what ever I wanted with half the garage. I thought it was all mine. Still is , she just wants her car in the garage at night. Like I said, I can buy in spurts so quality plywood can be had that way. Once I start I will shoot some pics.

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

I think your right on the the top not so rugged. I'm looking for storage or to keep most things behind a door. So much more eye appealing.

 

[richtersrodz]

Remember.. unless you want to sleep in that garage.. always give the wife some input.

 

[John in OH]

I think it's always cheaper to build benches. Another option is to buy them second-hand, but a bench is a pretty particular tool.

On the other hand, I think it's often more time- and cost-effective to buy cabinets second-hand. It takes time and patience, though.

I built all of my benches. My cabinets are a mix of second-hand uprights and soffit-style ones like regguy1's, made with plywood and MDF. The high-up ones don't need to be as rugged as the ones you'll be using on a more-frequent basis.

+1 regarding Jack's advice to build your own bench/s. As others have noted, the cost of materials for a bench is relatively low and you can build it exactly the way you want with the features that you want. You don't need grade 5 or 8 bolts ... cheap old grade 2 bolts from TSC are more than adequate for a bench, but make sure it is built solid and sturdy. 2x4s, 4x4s, plywood, bolts, screws, glue, and paint don't cost too much.

Building cabinets yourself will probably be cheaper than even cheap pre-fab cabinets, BUT you need the proper tools and the proper skills to get decent results. If you have the tools and skills then you can build some pretty nice storage units that can be built to exactly fit and maximize the space that you have available. And by "proper tools and skills" I don't mean to imply that you need a table saw, drill press, jointer, etc. or the skills of a cabinet maker. A decent circular saw with a sharp blade, solid saw horses, a hand drill with sharp bits, tape measure, a good straight-edge, all coupled with time, patience, and attention to detail, and you can do nice work.

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

I do appreciate alls input. Thank you. I've got the tools (may not be sharp) Patience (have to be due to funds) Also, Have given up space in house to wife and now just have a closet for my stuff. Why does she need to invade my garage?

This is a great site with alot of great ideas that I just need to put into use.

I like the over hanging storage alot too. A bench along the wall. Thanks!

 

[CrashTestDummy]

As Falcon says, a couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood glued and screwed together make a great workbench work surface. Set them on some 2X4 or 2X6 supports, and it's nearly bullet-proof. I'd stay away from OSB, the stuff I used, and have seen isn't that dimensionally stable and uniform. Also, I'd stay away from MDF, as almost any liquid will soak into it, causing it to swell, warp and sag. This includes humidity in the air. You can dress up the surface with some formica. It's strong, resists scratches and most chemicals and you can get some really cool patterns.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

 

[buening]

What is your intended use for the bench and cabinets....and do they need to be really heavy duty? Being the overbuilt kind of guy I am, I built an 8' long workbench out of 2"x2"x0.25" tubing. I have a 2'deep x 4' wide x 8' tall cabinet I built out of 3/4" oak plywood, as well as a 12" deep x 40" tall x 8' long cabinet above the bench out of 3/4" oak plywood with a recessed fluorescent light. The bench is definitely heavy duty. The cabinets are so-so and the tall cabinet is a bit on the flimsy side due to it's 2' depth and euro-style construction. Gonna work on some pictures eventually, but am still in the painting stage for the cabinets

I would recommend checking out craigslist for some cheap deals on a heavy duty workbench and some kitchen cabinets. I ran across one the other day similar to mine but a bit shorter for about $150. The steel alone in mine is about that and doesn't count the large amount of labor I have into this thing. I have about $60 just in paint and am not even done painting yet LOL

 

[Jack Olsen]

If keeping the peace means her car in the garage some of the time, then think about fold-down benches along the wall where she parks. It's what I did to get more useable working room out of a small garage.

 

[gsport]

If keeping the peace means her car in the garage some of the time, then think about fold-down benches along the wall where she parks. It's what I did to get more useable working room out of a small garage.

if ya follow Jacks advice, you can't go wrong...

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

Yall have my brain a churning. Thank you all! Look out home builders. I'm on the prowl. HD sales too.

 

[Gary S]

First try to decide exactly what you want for a bench and cabinets. Then ask yourself if you have the skills and tools to build it yourself. If you do, built it. Many times you can find excess wood and other products to cut the price significantly.

If you feel you can't build what you want, then it is time to start looking at what you can buy at a price you are willing to pay.

I built my own garage cabinets out of left over wood I had from other woodworking projects. I enjoy woodworking so I build a lot of projects every winter and I find that left over wood piles up. That left over wood eventually becomes my personal projects like garage cabinets.

These are my garage cabinets built from left overwood scraps. I couldn't have bought cheap cabinets for what I have invested in these cabinets (if you don't count my time).

 

[richtersrodz]

snip - Why does she need to invade my garage? -snip

Because she has *****, and she can...

From a guy that has been happily married for 22+ years.

 

[justanengineer]

Some of us spend money, some of us spend a bit of time and intelligence. Instead of wasting your money on buying new, scour the local auctions, flea markets, yard sales, and worst case try craigslist.

I have $1 in each of these cabinets thanks to a local auction. They may not be Vidmar quality as is my norm, but theyre ~60 lbs each and definitely stronger than what you can buy in the box store. The one that looks like a file cabinet actually has complete and deep drawers with regular sides, perfect for special tool cases. None of these need repainting, and are a bit larger than they appear.

I am combining those with a few sticks I picked up free at work and bolted together. Final dimensions of the benchtops will be 48s24 and 60x24 with 6 inch overhangs on the sides. Between the two benches made out of three cabinets, I doubt I will have $10 total invested if you give value to everything I paid for at one time or another.

 

[PhantomEB]

To quote myself recently, after 'fixin' my mothers damn new but CHEAPLY built MDF kitchen cabinets.... NEVER will I use a prefabbed cabinet company, Screws fallin out with chunks of MDF still attached to them.... I'll spend the money on a REAL hardwood cabinet for the house and for the garage at the VERY LEAST, 3/4" plywood for the cabinets.

Much more so after I had a MDF cabinet break loose from the wall, RIGHT as I was sittin under it having beers with my buds. Luckily that only ended up in a minor concussion but my ex sure wasnt impressed with having to wake me up on an hourly basis just to make sure I didnt croak in my sleep.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I have some older kitchen cabinets in my garage that I got from a friend. The rest I just added doors and some facing to the front of the workbench. The doors were nothing more than some OSB and trimmed with some 2x4 ripped down to 1/4" thick.

There's pics in the link in my sig.

 

[GarageEnvy]

First, a disclaimer that I built my own so there's my bias but if you can find something prefab that works, go with it and spend some time/money on actual projects. Steevo and a couple other members have built benches using HF tool cabinets which are reported to be good quality. If your bench needs drawers/doors, you might be better off with bought than built. For me, the drawers weren't deep enough (both ways) and I hated the crinkle pinkish finish of the HF cabinets. With the thought of having to compromise or modify what I bought, I just decided to build.

 

[Superchido]

Why does she need to invade my garage?

Because she has *****, and she can...

This is the right answer.

I second the advice to consider the use for the bench(es) before making a decision. My "heavy duty" bench in my garage (which I don't have any pictures of at the moment) is home built because I wanted to build the frame sturdy for bigger jobs that required messiness (I skinned the top in stainless) and/or persuasion with the BFH.

On the other hand, I just finished up a different bench for my garage that I put together with a mix of parts. Check it out here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1799331&postcount=304. The base of it is a Craftsman Ball Bearing bench I got for $90.00 at the Sears outlet and the top was $90.00 from IKEA. As you can see in the picture of it my garage has a step up there by the door. The top I put on extends off the end of the base by about 20" on that side so I attached 2 legs there that I cut to length to fit down to the raised floor there. That way it leaves a little spot under there that now houses my roll around mechanic stool.

So with a little scrounging and a teeny bit of creativity I have a 70" wide butcher block workbench for less than $200.00. It's not as heavy duty as my stainless bench, but it doesn't need to be.

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

My name implies I may have a few cars. That what dreams are for. Yes I love hotrods, classics and muscle. What I have? 88 sedan deville 1st owner with 85K miles, a 2001 PT Cruiser custom paint that the wife drives some. It has 25K miles. A company car that I drive. My garage is used for my other hobbies. Reloading, Cowboy Shooting and racing RC cars. How old do I sound? I'm 58 and married 35 years with no children. One day if I don't run out of time I will have another rod for now just keep busy in my garage.

I've got some old cabinets taken from an apartment. File cabinets, plastic shelving. a solid core door sitting on an old desk. Like I said , I'll shoot some before pics once I get started and everyone will be rolling on the floor. It's ok though.

You folks have given me quite a few great ideas. From the ceiling storage to the foldup bench and heavy duty work benchsm sales and scrap piles.

 

[LWaite]

Remember.. unless you want to sleep in that garage.. always give the wife some input.

Preach on

 

[Red Leader]

On a shoe string budget and all the nice cabinets are yes way out of my price range. What do you suggest and building can get pricey but it can be bought in spurts. pictures would be helpful too.

is there such a thing as inexpensive (CHEAP) but good?

Build it build it build it!

Come up with something creative or go with a tried and true design. Whatever you do, have fun with it!

...supplies you can find second hand. Wait for a good deal on C/L or your local ReStore center and then go to town! I've seen sanded plywood for as cheap as $4 a sheet - I know because I bought it. With a few of the right tools and the right deals, you could build it yourself for ultra cheap and then feel that accomplishment every time you walk out there.


-RL
Let us know what you decide!

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

Build it build it build it!

Come up with something creative or go with a tried and true design. Whatever you do, have fun with it!

...supplies you can find second hand. Wait for a good deal on C/L or your local ReStore center and then go to town! I've seen sanded plywood for as cheap as $4 a sheet - I know because I bought it. With a few of the right tools and the right deals, you could build it yourself for ultra cheap and then feel that accomplishment every time you walk out there.


-RL
Let us know what you decide!

Not sure about the curved shelves but I do like your colors. Being the collector of junk (Treasures) I do like old and I like new. I will difinately let yall know. Great bunch of buds on here for sure.

 

[ibedayank]

heres my bench doubled up 2x6 legs and frame
2inch thick top
bottom shelf just at right height to move with a pallet jack/forklift
just over 10 foot long

cost...bolts and screws to put it togather

 

[wolflrv]

For inexpensive, efficient and easy to build cabinets that you can design however you want try googling "Tom Clark cabinets". He has a book you can buy, but there's also several threads around the internet, that show how easy it is to build his cabinets.

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

heres my bench doubled up 2x6 legs and frame
2inch thick top
bottom shelf just at right height to move with a pallet jack/forklift
just over 10 foot long

cost...bolts and screws to put it togather

DUDE! Where's your stuff?

 

[ibedayank]

DUDE! Where's your stuff?

LOL...well ya can't see the rest of the building but trust me its lot fuller now.
building is 80/56 thats just my corner of it.
Most of what I do is crating cycles for overseas shipping in this building.
48inches wide...42 inches high 89inches long
build pack and store out here. ship overseas in a container

 

[RascalRider]

I was having the same question build or buy... after alot of shopping and going without a bench for a while I finally broke down and built one. Cost about $80 and a few hours of time.

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

I've pretty much decided to biuld now. I'm now looking for design and features. If I can get all the junk treasures cleared out, Don't know where I'll store it?, I plan to pactch, repair , paint and then build the overheads, shelving and work bench. I Like deep drawers in place of cabinet door for the lowers. Need more electrical plugs and eleminated the extension cords. The building not necessarily in that order.

I've lived in this house almost 30 years now. House has been refreshed. NOW for MY Garage!

 

[ibedayank]

shopnotes and woodsmith magizens are good places to look for ideas..

 

[bmcdowell40]

If you dont want to build your own, you might want to talk to some local contractors that do kitchen remodeling. You might be able to pick up a whole kitchen worth of cabinets for cheap or even free. I scored a whole kitchen 2 years ago from a local contractor just for hauling them away, we used the base cabinets in my dad's office and gave the rest of them away. The only problem with getting used ones, chances are the sizes and configuration won't be exactly what you want/need. So, you're either stuck with making it work for you or you build/buy something to finish it out; if you're worried about them matching, you're probably out of luck unless you're an experienced woodworker.

If you do want to build your own, the Tom Clark book looks like a great resource for ideas. I'm thinking of ordering it as I'm planning on starting to build cabinets for my garage this winter. Here's the link to it:
http://www.tomclarkbooks.com/tomclarkbooks.com/Practical_Shop_Cabinets.html

 

[Togorashi]

It's an investment but a Kreg jig makes building cabinets a lot easier. Have the panels ripped to width at HD or Lowes. Then at home, crosscut the panels to length and screw it all together. Pretty quick.

But dang has plywood gotten expensive. I was thinking about building some shelves, but the sturdy wire metal shelves from Lowes were cheaper than the materials would be to build with wood.

 

[dittle fart around]

Build what you need or get used kitchen cabinets. Save your money for projects. Once you get rich and famous buy metal cabinets.

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

Build what you need or get used kitchen cabinets. Save your money for projects. Once you get rich and famous buy metal cabinets.

Gave up on making a million and now for the like 5th time in my life, working on it again. Know what I mean VERN?

 

[RascalRider]

Here is a pic of my $80 work bench!!

 

[AnotherCARNUT]

What I don't store away, give away or throw away. I want to have behind a door or in a drawer. I have a few of the 4 or 5 shelve unit in the plastice and metal. Everything is visible which does save some time when looking for something but tends to get cluttered over time. I'm now looking for the hidden look with labels. Every thing has a place and a place for eveything. Can that happen???? I have pictures but it's not for the weak at heart.