Workbench between matching floor cabs/lockers?

[Tejaas]

I'm sure someone has to be running a configuration like this....

I want to bridge the cabinets so there is an "overhead" of sorts over the workbench...

I'd appreciate anyone running a setup like this posting up their photos!


~Tejaas~

 

[akdiesel]

I am sure there are some out there. Is this your set up now in the pictures?
Can you turn the left locker upside down to allow ease of access to both lockers from the bench. In other words so you have a left and right swinging cabinet door. I think that may be a better layout.
As for an over head set up. Do you like to work with wood or metal? Metal will continue the industrial look you have going and use less space for supporting the cabinets or shelf overhead. If you want to keep the same straight line height as the two lockers then you may need to custom build your overhead cabinets, otherwise the will sit to low for bench clearance.

 

[Hot Chop shop]

Kind of similar....

 

[Tejaas]

I am sure there are some out there. Is this your set up now in the pictures?
Can you turn the left locker upside down to allow ease of access to both lockers from the bench. In other words so you have a left and right swinging cabinet door. I think that may be a better layout.
As for an over head set up. Do you like to work with wood or metal? Metal will continue the industrial look you have going and use less space for supporting the cabinets or shelf overhead. If you want to keep the same straight line height as the two lockers then you may need to custom build your overhead cabinets, otherwise the will sit to low for bench clearance.

Yes sir, this is my current setup for that particular wall!

I cannot turn that left hand locker upside down, otherwise the adjustable shelving would not be able to function. The shelves sit in grooves that open to the top if that makes sense. That was the first thing I considered when I got the lockers home. They were brand new and FREE, so I can't complain! Frankly, them opening to the right doesn't even bother me, haha!

Steel or Lumber, I have the capabilities for either.

I want to retain the "modular" concept... Primarily meaning I want the lockers alone to support the overhead structure. They are 12G steel and weigh about 300 pounds each.

Overhead weight would also never be an issue. Mainly storage for power tools, parts bins, gunsmithing tools, etc.

I'm thinking a 3" tubing frame that sits on top of the lockers, with a stained and sealed furniture-grade sheet of 1/2" ply across the whole top.

Any cabinets/shelves added would be secured to the overhead frame/deck so it is 1 solid assembly.

If I ever want to reconfigure, I could move the bench and lockers, then with an extra set of hands or two, I could simply pick the entire overhead assembly up off the lockers, and move it to the new location in the shop, etc.

I guess I am mainly looking for cabinet/shelf configurations to copy on my frame concept.



~Tejaas~

 

[Tejaas]

Kind of similar....

Exactly. I'm wanting to expand on this concept... With cabinets and/or shelves.

Did you secure your crosspiece to the top of your lockers, or is it floating?

How old are your Craftsman Lockers? They look like they have the new badges on them...

Ive been on the lookout for a set of those from the early 1990's... No luck yet and it's been 2 years!


~Tejaas~

 

[Hot Chop shop]

The crosspiece is actually just where I store extra steel tubing... I have since put up pegboard and waiting to find some cabinets to go above it... I like the idea of cabinets above the bench not only for extra storage but to add more lights under it.

 

[Tejaas]

The crosspiece is actually just where I store extra steel tubing... I have since put up pegboard and waiting to find some cabinets to go above it... I like the idea of cabinets above the bench not only for extra storage but to add more lights under it.

Got ya!

I hear ya on the light mounted underneath... I have a 5 foot fixture I plan to mount under mine as well when I decide on a design. If I go with a 3" tubing frame, that would provide depth for a flush mount over-bench light... I could even set it on the floor and not damage the fixture.


~Tejaas~

 

[akdiesel]

Tejaas

Ok. So as for a 3" tubular frame sounds a bit overkill. Some angle iron (1 1/2" or 2") would suffice to support cabinets and then screw them to the wall in the upper sections of the cabinets. Your lockers look to be 2' deep so if you put overhead cabinets on top of the lockers you will have approx. 6" of dead space since most overhead cabinets are in the range of 15" to 18" deep. Not a big deal but stuff can end up getting staged there. The do make 24" cabinets that would fit better just above the lockers and then use the 15" or 18" ones over the bench.

 

[akdiesel]

[/URL][/IMG]Here is my set up. It does not have the lockers next to the bench but you can get the idea of the overhead cabinets and the height needed. The overhead cabinets are approx. 72" high. So use my rolling ladder to reach the upper shelves.

 

[Tejaas]

Tejaas

Ok. So as for a 3" tubular frame sounds a bit overkill. Some angle iron (1 1/2" or 2") would suffice to support cabinets and then screw them to the wall in the upper sections of the cabinets. Your lockers look to be 2' deep so if you put overhead cabinets on top of the lockers you will have approx. 6" of dead space since most overhead cabinets are in the range of 15" to 18" deep. Not a big deal but stuff can end up getting staged there. The do make 24" cabinets that would fit better just above the lockers and then use the 15" or 18" ones over the bench.

I'm digging your input, sincerely...

But I am opposed to using angle iron and as I mentioned above tapping anything into the wall is not an option either. I want this standalone and modular. I have been known to reconfigure my shop drastically based upon incoming projects.

Angle iron at length will flex before tubing, and the 3" tubing is 14G wall... relatively lightweight.

The lockers are 6.5' tall, I'm 6' even. If I use the 3" tubing plus the thickness of the deck, I wouldn't have ANY chance of overhead cabinet doors being "scalp-scrapers" whether I'm sitting or standing.


Also, I have over 600 feet of said 3" tubing. I'm looking to whittle the stockpile down a bit.


~Tejaas~

 

[C96]

Those end cabinets look to be made very well, very secure and strong. I like the expanded metal look too.

The idea you have for the top sounds good.

Maybe you could put some expanded metal painted the same color along the back wall between the new shelf you’re going to build and the top of the work bench. This would help tie everything together making it look as a complete unit.

 

[Tejaas]

[/URL][/IMG]Here is my set up. It does not have the lockers next to the bench but you can get the idea of the overhead cabinets and the height needed. The overhead cabinets are approx. 72" high. So use my rolling ladder to reach the upper shelves.

Great info and nice setup!

Thanks for the input!


~Tejaas~

 

[Tejaas]

Those end cabinets look to be made very well, very secure and strong. I like the expanded metal look too.



The idea you have for the top sounds good.



Maybe you could put some expanded metal painted the same color along the back wall between the new shelf you’re going to build and the top of the work bench. This would help tie everything together making it look as a complete unit.

GREAT idea!

Consider that set in stone!

I am not a pegboard fan, but the expanded metal could also offer a clean looking mounting base for some old vintage tin signs I have too.

Awesome input.

Thanks!


~Tejaas~

 

[astroracer]

I did this years ago when I got some free cabinets from a place my wife worked at when they moved. I just put a sheet of OSB between the cabinets with a 2 x 4 stringer. I actually scarf-jointed the stringer out of two short pieces of 2 x 4... I hung a flourescent light under it and it's been like that ever since. I store wood trim and cut-offs up there. It hasn't sagged in 16 years.
Mark