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Vidmar and maple workbench ideas

R

Ratdog

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Dec 31, 2014
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Roseville, Ca
Hi everyone, long time lurker and enjoyer of reading all your posts.
Question:I have a small pool house combo shop 14x40. I would like to get rid of the homemade bench and craftsman tool box upgrading to a vidmar type modular storage. On the narrow end of the shop I was thinking of adding a vidmar cabinet and a 10 foot maple, or stainless top. does anyone have coaching around 33" height vs. 37" height for vidmars used as a bench base? One potential issue is the amount of slope that my contractor put in the floor of the shop, see pic. I know I will have to raise up one side to compensate for the slope and am concerned a long bench might look goofy. For the actual cabinets I found this ad on CL for overstock vidmars and was also wondering if anyone had opinion on that as well... http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/fud/4829969201.html

I am wanting new, or like new for my project. at my age, 53, I really want something nice, but want to accomplish that goal through thoughtful planning and not just running out and charging up a bunch of new hardware.

I have spent quite a bit of time searching the web and thought I would pose the question and see if I might get lucky with some great thought leadership from the forum here.

Thanks much!
 

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Duker

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Ratdog said:
Hi everyone, long time lurker and enjoyer of reading all your posts.
Question:I have a small pool house combo shop 14x40. I would like to get rid of the homemade bench and craftsman tool box upgrading to a vidmar type modular storage. On the narrow end of the shop I was thinking of adding a vidmar cabinet and a 10 foot maple, or stainless top. does anyone have coaching around 33" height vs. 37" height for vidmars used as a bench base? One potential issue is the amount of slope that my contractor put in the floor of the shop, see pic. I know I will have to raise up one side to compensate for the slope and am concerned a long bench might look goofy. For the actual cabinets I found this ad on CL for overstock vidmars and was also wondering if anyone had opinion on that as well... http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/fud/4829969201.html

I am wanting new, or like new for my project. at my age, 53, I really want something nice, but want to accomplish that goal through thoughtful planning and not just running out and charging up a bunch of new hardware.

I have spent quite a bit of time searching the web and thought I would pose the question and see if I might get lucky with some great thought leadership from the forum here.

Thanks much!
Click to expand...

Ratdog, First, there are quite a few workbench threads on the GJ. I would recommend searching for user Steevo and his workench thread to see workbenches using tool cabinets. I am doing something similar in my workbench build thread. The nice thing about that style is it has levelers to account for slope.

Also, Jack O's thread the 12 Gauge Garage for his benches build using some Lista or Vidmar cabinets. The cabinets you described are great but can be costly new. If you can find a deal used... jump on them.
 
K

KEH

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A local Woodcraft store has 1 1/2 x 27 x 60 inch birch workbench tops for $99. Don't know if that fits in anybody's workbench plans or not.

KEH
 
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pcmeiners

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Same company has items on Ebay ... so the question is how much is shipping and tax if applicable, also shipping goes up if you do not have a destination with a fork lift. Personally I am assembling a group of used Vidmars, new are to expensive for me; they are addictive, once you have one you want more. You could get the 33" units, seem a bit low to me for a workbench ( am 6'6") but they could be raised by 2x4 or 4x4; likely better to get them a couple inches off cement (moisture from cement). Cabinets are stiff so are easily leveled
 
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Trey T

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It sounds like you understand the cost benefit of getting vidmar style cabinet. I believe a 28-30" depth workbench is necessary to get the best out of any project you tackle in the future.

I have a 24"D x 41"H x 10'L workbench and a 30"D Lista desk; I wish my workbench is 30"D. For the height of the cabinet, I suggest you get the 37" height because that's a comfortable height (w/ the SS top, 39" total) to work while standing.

As for CL listing, the description says only 30" tall, only good for desk height. The photos show workbenches are w/ 37" tall cabinets.

I would look into used cabinets for brands such as Lista, Vidmar, Lyon, Equipto, Kennedy Botts, and Rousseau. Currently in Houston, they sell Lista and Vidmar for $125 -150/drawer.
 
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Ratdog

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Thanks guys, I will continue searching for some nice modular cabinets, thinking 1x 37" high 8 drawer should accommodate all the tools I want to store. If you run into anything please share, and I will do same!
 
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pcmeiners

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"As for CL listing, the description says only 30" tall, only good for desk height"
Good catch, had not noticed the 30" height. Not a very common height on CL or Ebay.

"thinking 1x 37" high 8 drawer should accommodate all the tools I want to store."
Wait till you get (1), then you find they will not accommodate everything. I am looking for my fourth at the moment .
If you get used units make sure you get at least a couple full length dividers per drawer. With my units I only use 2 to 4 to stiffen the bottom of the draws, I have all mine with Schaller bins, drawers stiffened with the Vidmar dividers. Large and smaller dividers are expensive after purchase, so get them with your unit purchase.
 
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nolimits76

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Steevo pointed me in the direction of this place for my leveling feet.

http://www.jwwinco.com/products/section7/

They have an array of products that should fit your needs. Best part is their parts have a very high distribution load rating which you will need. The cabinets you are buying are quality and heavy by themselves before you get them loaded.

Steevo (and myself, along w/ many others) went the route of the 44" Harbor Freight 13 drawer cabinets. They are a great buy @ $359/ea (current sale price). They aren't as high quality as the units you are looking at, but most here find them to be very good. Most other cabinets at this price point & size is junk.

I said all that to say this....the screw hole for the HF cabinets uses an M10 thread if you attach directly to the cabinet itself. I'm not sure the size of the Lista cabinets (don't have any) but you will need to verify before you can shop for levelers. Unless you custom fabricate a steel frame for them to sit on, then you could make it whatever size you want.

If by chance you happen to change gears and go w/ the HF cabinets McMaster Carr carries some leveling feet (#62805K54) for $3.56. Downside is they are only rated for 250# capacity per leveler (4 ea per cabinet) so you'd be maxed at around 1,000# capacity. The HF boxes weigh about 265# each, so that leaves 735# for tools, etc. They *might* work for you.

Otherwise, the other site I listed will be your winner. I think the lightest duty leveler there I saw was around 1,500# each. Price point $12+ each.
 
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nolimits76

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In regards to the right workbench height, it really varies person by person. Generally speaking, taller guys prefer taller benches and vice versa.

I've seen this tossed around on this site 100x over. It's not a hard rule, but what they are illustrating is true in regards to different heights might work better for you based on the type of work you do as the majority.

Myself, I would prefer the taller 37" cabinets over the 30" cabinets.

63818_FHCRC_HAMM_FINAL_Page_374_Image_0002.jpg
 
D

Duker

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Just another idea to consider in your build... You can go vertical with your bench whether with Vidmar's or other cabinets to maximize your footprint for the bench. This is a 72" HF cabinet built as a hutch/workbench as I needed to maximize every square inch within my shop.

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