Wall cabinet mounting best practices

[Bellaireroad]

I have 16 feet of workbench, 36" tall and and 2 feet deep, and would like to put some wall cabinets above the top. The cabinets are 28 " tall, 28 wide and 14" deep, with double doors. How high off the workbecch should these be mounted to give maximum access to the bench? Seems with the door open, it wil stick out 4 " beyond the bench. Should I be looking for a shallower cabinet? FWIW, im about 6'1"

 

[OccupantRJ]

Make it the same as your kitchen cabinets. That has developed over time for a reason. Kitchen equals workbench plus wall storage.

 

[mike93lx]

I would either match the kitchen or put them as high as possible while still allowing you to reach the top shelf

 

[Cyberbear]

You have many options to choose from in your application. Being 6'-1" tall, you have an extended reach and the extra deep cabinets should pose no problems, plus they offer more storage, which there is never enough.
The mounting hgt. above the work bench is something you will have to determine yourself by seeing what is workable for you in particular. The door protrusion is perhaps a non issue since they are closed most of the time, otherwise try to find dbl. door cabinets.
I mounted my wall cabs 18" above my work surface, and this allowed for simple wall storage of frequently used hand tools and an under cabinet light if needed. After everything else, you may wish to think about electrical wall outlet placement. I put mine in the wall a few inches above the work top. I soon found that electrical cords often are in the way when I work and become a constant nuisance. Next time I'll know better and locate the outlets where they won't be a problem. Just make sure you use proper methods for securely mounting those wall cabinets, they can get pretty heavy when loaded with your necessary stuff.

 

[Kevin54]

Mount them to whatever is comfortable for you to use. Will you be having any toolboxes sitting on top of the bench? If so, you want to take in consideration the top lid opening up. Will you be having anything sitting on top of the overheads? If you will (display items), then you will need to keep the top of the overheads down far enough for the tallest display item. Other than that, there are no steadfast rules as to how high they go.

 

[Voi]

The cabinets are 28 " tall, 28 wide and 14" deep. How high off the workbecch should these be mounted to give maximum access to the bench? Should I be looking for a shallower cabinet?

With deeper than standard cabinets and your height I would recommend going slightly higher than the kitchen standard. If you're considering using a beveled (aka "French") cleat system to mount the cabinets (which I recommend) they'll stick a bit further yet.

I built some cabinets that are deeper than normal for above one of my benches and I went a bit higher. Used cardboard or something as a mockup to figure out what height I preferred.

I'll come back and edit this post with where mine are mounted.

[EDIT] Bench is 36" tall and 26" deep. Uppers are 16" deep and 24" off the bench.

Also, I would not worry about the doors too much and I definitely would not go with shallower cabinets. I have 12" deep cabinets as well and much prefer my deeper cabinets.

 

[Zeke]

18" is the standard for kitchen cabinets uppers from the counter. For a garage I'd move the uppers up to 20" or more. Can't really give a reason other than I think I'd prefer the extra room. You work on the front half of the counter most of the time but the extra height would allow for better viability of anything stored against the wall above the counter. Under mounted lights does seem like a good idea.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I to agree, 18 to 20 inches above your counters.

 

[csp]

Seems with the door open, it wil stick out 4 " beyond the bench.

Open the door, get what you need out of the cabinet or put whatever back into it, close the door. Simple.

Kitchens face the same issue daily. Don't create a problem looking for a solution.

 

[YeahPete]

I also vote for the kitchen counter height and cabinet height. Then you can throw a light under the cabinets too.

 

[cleason]

go to ur kitchen see if the uppers are at a good height. if so measure them.my garage is small so i built some overheads.

 

[Kaizen]

high as possible and use the wall for storage items used a lot. also if you have big items you normally work on the standard clearance will limit your ability to put stuff on the workbench.

 

[lakeroadster]

How high off the workbench should (wall cabinets) .. be mounted to give maximum access to the bench?

I had 8 wall cabinets in my last shop and placed them on the wall higher than what would be standard for kitchen cabinets. Different tasks, different requirements.

Where my tool box is I mounted cabinets up much higher.

To reach the items in the upper shelves of the cabinets I purchased a short, two step, step stool.

As was stated earlier, just place the most used items in the lower parts of the cabinets.

 

[cleason]

dude i'm jealous.

 

[Algoma56]

Make sure the tops of the doors will clear any surface mount lighting fixtures you have close by.

 

[Bellaireroad]

I had 8 wall cabinets in my last shop and placed them on the wall higher than what would be standard for kitchen cabinets. Different tasks, different requirements.



Where my tool box is I mounted cabinets up much higher.



To reach the items in the upper shelves of the cabinets I purchased a short, two step, step stool.



As was stated earlier, just place the most used items in the lower parts of the cabinets.

Thanks to all who replied. The kitchen height will be too low for me.. I have a mag drill that's about 24 tall, probably will mount the cabinets 30" over the top of the bench, and put some pegboard on the wall below them. I won't be able to reach the top shelf, without a step stool, and will put lesser used stuff on top.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jayoldschool]

I mounted mine just high enough that the top lid of my box would clear the bottom of the cabinet. I'm 6'7", and I can just reach the back of the top shelf. Mounted using a french cleat, btw. I think this is the strongest method.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you use a French cleat mounting system, it is pretty easy to take the cabinets down and adjust the mounting height.

 

[ZRX61]

Don't do what the previous owner of my old place did....

There was a shelving unit built from 2x10's. 3 horizontals that were 6ft long & a 2ft upright at each end....It was all sanded, stained & varnished. Really nice looking structure. (I still have it)

As a backer for this he had attached a piece of 3/16in lauan with brads....

& to attach it to the wall he had driven more brads through the 3/16in lauan...

So the only thing holding it to the wall were about 25 1 1/4brads....


How the hell that thing stayed up I have no idea.

I removed it one day when walling the garage with T1-11 siding. That's when I discovered what was holding it up. I about ****.
I cut a piece of 3/4 ply to replace the 3/16in lauan piece the previous guy has used... I attached that to the back of the shelves with 4in long 1/4in lag bolts which I had countersunk flush with the surface with a Forstner bit (5 into the back of all 3 horizontals)... Then I did the same through the 3/4in ply into the wall studs, but without the countersink. (3 on each the 4 studs I screwed into).

When I moved out that damn thing was a bear to get off the wall....

So my advice is: Do NOT do what the previous owner of my garage did...
...but I have to say 3/4in plywood backer securely attached to the cabinets & the wall will probably withstand an earthquake during a tornado.

 

[lakeroadster]

If you use a French cleat mounting system, it is pretty easy to take the cabinets down and adjust the mounting height.

Or just use (4) long structural screws.. (not deck screws) and attach the cabinets to the wall studs... doesn't get much easier than that.

I relocated my cabinets numerous times.... easy peazy.

 

[PhantomEB]

Mine are gonna be tucked right up against the ceiling, won't be no dust collector area up on top that way, Probably be 4' down then around 30" above the workbench, why so high? As for battery charger shelf, under cabinet lights, etc.