Workbench build using H.F. 44 inch tool boxes

[Lucky13driver]

Scottsgt thanks I'd like to see your build. I'm really enjoying this project.

 

[Krang]

Tagging along. This is the first thing I plan on doing when I have my shop finished up, probably a few months from now.

I'm going with Gladiator chests since I got a killer deal on them and a bunch of cabinets. I plan on something very similar to what the OP is doing. I'll remove the center chest to have some leg room and I'll have two upright cabinets bookending the bench. So very similar.

Keep us posted.

-Clint

Same deal here, stand-up height workbench w/ galdiator cabs

 

[Robert Haas]

Golly Lucky, I am kinda kno0wn for overbuilding but those gussets and leveling hardware you have make my stuff look like Lego

 

[Lucky13driver]

Krang awesome build! It's looking good sir��

 

[Lucky13driver]

Thanks Robert. I'm planning a heavy top. I've been eyeing a chunk of 7/8" plate 12 feet by 30 inches at a buddy's construction project I just have to wait till it's available. The price is right through he want a case of beer for it.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Had a great day in the shop today. I got the leveling feet welded in. Sanded prepped and primered. I may start the frame work for the boxes tomorrow.

 

[ScottsGT]

Scottsgt thanks I'd like to see your build. I'm really enjoying this project.

Any more progress? I started mine last night. Already painting myself into a corner as far as building the frame and then lifting the box out of it. It's kind of comical what I did last night not thinking clearly. I'm a one man band with a bad back. Already tweaked it unloading the box off the trailer. When I really make progress, I'll make a clean thread on my build. Probably going to get it completed before I post so it doesn't get lost in the wash.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Hi ScottsGT, Today was my first day back in the shop. Had the Holliday's and a bout with the flu. Today I welded up the tie plates for the bottom supports. Also I cut the corbels to help support the load. You'll see in the picture my new Christmas present a Swag off-road bandsaw table. If you don't have one I highly recommend it.

 

[PhantomEB]

I love what you guys do with those boxes. Can’t wait to get more usable space in my shop, I would love to put another Husky 56” box in there.

 

[Lucky13driver]

PhantomEB Thanks! It's nice to have like minded people that enjoy having a nice shop in the garage. I like the toys you have in your profile pic too.

 

[LXCam]

Looking good 13. I was wondering how much luck you had maintaining square with that corner jig. I bought one a couple decades ago but it's such a battle getting it aligned dead on I stopped using it years ago.

 

[Lucky13driver]

LXCam I had good luck on 3 of the 4 uprights. One of them I had to pull together with ratchet straps. I'd like to get a dry cut chop saw l think the cuts would fit up better.

 

[PhantomEB]

15 years and still not done to the way I want it.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Had a busy day in the shop today. I was a welding and grinding fool. I have the framework all done, so tomorrow it will receive 2-3 coats of HF bed liner after I clean up the tool bomb that went off.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Well today I was able to move the framework into place. Wow that thing is heavy I'm using 3/16" wall material but I was able to move it by myself. Then i sprayed primer followed by several coats of bed liner.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Today's work has me very close to the finish line. I put the tool boxes in the framework. To lift them I used an engine hoist with the goose neck mounted backwards so it wouldn't hit the lower support rails.also I then ground a flat spot on some fender washers so it would line up with the existing holes on the box so I could mount the eye bolts to hook up the chain. The final step will be to mount the top. This may take some time before the steel is available so I'll probably put a sheet of OSB on it as a temporary work surface.

 

[ghlkal]

Today's work has me very close to the finish line.

Wow, you have amazing skills. I've enjoyed following your build -- that's a great workbench.

 

[Lucky13driver]

ghlkal thanks! I've really had a great time building this and was inspired by a lot of what I've seen on here.

 

[squigs]

You guys with the welding skills are impressive! I stuck with wood for mine, but similar purpose. 2 HF boxes from Black Friday and 3 sheets of plywood from Menard's produced this nice little upgrade in the corner of my garage that was a disorganized mess before.


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[ScottsGT]

LOL! Welding metal is easier than woodworking!! I can fill a gap with my welder and grind it smooth.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Squibs that's an awesome workbench that will give many years of service

 

[Fisherguy]

You guys with the welding skills are impressive! I stuck with wood for mine, but similar purpose. 2 HF boxes from Black Friday and 3 sheets of plywood from Menard's produced this nice little upgrade in the corner of my garage that was a disorganized mess before.


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Thant looks great!
I'm equally ****** with both metal and wood!

 

[Lucky13driver]

Fisherguy there's an old novice metal worker's saying. "A grinder and paint hides the welder I ain't." I'm no stack of dimes welder that's for sure.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I must say, that is a very slick idea.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Thanks Nutts. It worked surprisingly well. I had Mrs Lucky standing on the back to counter balance the weight.....but I'd never say I used my wife as ballist to her face that would change me to Not so lucky 13.

 

[cos]

Hello I would like add how important it is to have a toe kick when building cabinet frames. Even on frame standards front legs. Also sheet metal flashing to seal off toe kick.

 

[Lucky13driver]

cos thanks for the info. I'll look into it.

 

[schaumi]

What size tubing are you using? Curious to know the ID and the tubing you plan on using for the "receiver" mounts.

Cool project! I like that bandsaw table too - need to look into that.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Schaumi thanks, I used 21/2" O.D. X 3/16" wall tubing the I.D. Is 21/8" a truck receiver fits in perfectly. I haven't started on the different tool mounts yet but I plan to soon. Currently I'm focusing on getting the steel plate,for the top. I'm using a 4' counter top from some oak cabinets I'll be installing later for a wood working area.

 

[Dodge]

I just finished building in my 44" HF tool chest. I think it is a very well built and quality tool chest. The top is repurposed bowling alley. Heavy!! The length is 77". I built the frame using 2x4 joined with a Kreg. Behind the door is slide out plastic bins for misc. nails, screws, etc. My son wrapped the fridge with carbon fiber vinyl. Looks sharp. Laptop above the fridge.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Dodge that is a cool looking workbench sir! I really like the wrap on the fridge. Nice!

 

[Dodge]

Thanks for the compliment. The brown door on the fridge would not look very good with the black box! Carbon fiber is neat on anything. Here is a picture of the workbench I had in same place for 20 years. Consisted of my kids waterbed drawers!! Remember those? Anyway, Thanks.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Wow what a transformation. And I do remember the waterbed drawers. We had those in our first apartment a long time ago.

 

[cderalow]

Any chance one of you owners of a new 44" box can take some quick drawer measurements?

Depth is supposed to be 19-3/8", but what about widths & heights?

Thanks

 

[Lucky13driver]

Cderalow the drawer measurements are: 19-9/16"deep; the taller drawers are 4-3/8" high/tall; and the shorter ones are 2-1/2" high/tall. The top drawer is 36-1/2" wide; the medium is 22" wide; and the small are 12" wide. These are the second generation boxes. I hope this information helps.

 

[ScottsGT]

And FWIW, its very easy to move the big drawers around. I put my deep drawers on the top, shallow on the bottom slots. All the rails line up perfectly.

 

[cderalow]

Cderalow the drawer measurements are: 19-9/16"deep; the taller drawers are 4-3/8" high/tall; and the shorter ones are 2-1/2" high/tall. The top drawer is 36-1/2" wide; the medium is 22" wide; and the small are 12" wide. These are the second generation boxes. I hope this information helps.

cheers.

Anyone know the width/heights on the 26" wide single bank?

I assume 22" drawer width, but the heights are unknown.

wish HF would just list this on their website.

Edit: can someone confirm the depths?. Something doesn't seem to add up right.

Assuming the drawer dimensions given are inside:
I'll factor 1/2" in for slides/tolerance on sliding to the inside dimensions, and 1/4" top/bottom for sliding space.

Top drawer is 37" wide outside by 4-5/8" tall
Wide drawers are 22-1/2" wide by 2-3/4" tall or 4-5/8" tall
Narrow drawers are 12-1/2" wide by same heights
That leaves 2-1/2" as the side, top and bottom framing and separator between drawers.

adding all the drawer heights and separations I only come up with a 30-1/2" height.

I understand cabinet only dimensions to be 42" x 34.5"

Maybe i should take a trip to HF and settle this for myself.

 

[Lucky13driver]

A trip to HF is always a good think even if it's for peace of mind. I went ther several times when I was in the planning phase. I just went outside and measured the two bottom drawers they are 5-1/2" tall. My bad they looked the same

 

[Lucky13driver]

Scottsgt wow I didn't know you could move the taller drawers that's pretty cool.

 

[Trapps]

Great thread and build Lucky13!

I am in the Dodge and Squigs camp with wood a wood framed setup.

Dodge, love the bowling ally Benchtop. I have been looking for something local-ish for about a year. No joy.

As other have noted, metal working skills are a great solution. I lack the skills and tools so this is the current status of my shop build:

I have the 18" deep 44s. The shallower cabinets allowed me to make 'Tool Trundles' behind them in otherwise unused space. You can see the whole build in the link in my signature.