Workbench build using H.F. 44 inch tool boxes

[Lucky13driver]

I was inspired by SteveO and beepinjeep on a workbench using 3 H.F. 44 inch tool boxes and square tubing.

 

[Lucky13driver]

I found these beauties on a Black Friday sale. They were out of stock and just got them home today.

 

[ScottsGT]

Sweet! Hopefully getting the new 22” to put under my top and sides and use the old 18” as a roll around bench with some serious mods with external casters I can raise or drop to move the bench.
Thinking about going nuts and install hydraulics from a convertible top mechanism to raise and lower.

 

[machsnell]

Anyone know the outside dimensions of the new 44 x 22 deep boxes?

Want to do the Steveo thing and dont want to go measure

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[jscoggin]

I love the thread, on BF I bought three of the best 44" US General boxes, the blue ones. I did so with the intention of doing the same thing, making them the base of my workbench. I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone elses are coming together, even those that have the inferior colors. Mine aren't here yet but hopefully will be any day.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Great idea.

 

[Lucky13driver]

machsnell I just measured them the box minus casters and handle is 42" wide 33.5" high 22" deep

 

[gmtech]

Can anyone link to the steveO thread? I'd love to see a build thread.

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[taumac]

Luckydriver13. Good luck on your build. I liked the original Steevo project. I needed mobile so I made mine 3 individual benchs and when put next to each other looks like one bench.

 

[The_Geologist]

Can anyone link to the steveO thread? I'd love to see a build thread.

Here's Phase 2 of his build, where he has gotten the benches and started working.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120386

 

[JCQuick]

and phase 3 I did my own version too

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126086

 

[gmtech]

and phase 3 I did my own version too

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126086

Thanks!

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[Caligula455]

Looking forward to this build, I want to do the same thing for my garage workbench


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[Augus7us]

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

 

[Robert Haas]

I have a couple different builds using those

This one is a rolling work station complete with onboard air compressor and vise mounts



HF 44 work station.

This one is an actual bench using a pair of HF 44's







twin 44 bench

 

[bullnerd]

Beautiful job Robert!

 

[Lucky13driver]

Got off duty this morning and picked up the steel. I'll be cutting it to length after a little sleep, had a rough shift.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Robert nice work it looks good!

 

[Lucky13driver]

Augus7 I have the Gladiator wall cabinets and love them. I'm sure the lower cabinets are just as nice. I'd love to see your build too.��

 

[NUTTSGT]

Steevo has inspired a metric **** ton of benches. I'll be looking forward to see how yours turns out. Take plenty of pictures.

 

[bullnerd]

Yeah, and some pics of the big yellow thing at the far end of that pic!....please.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Nutts thanks I've always wanted a great shop. And this will be the coup de gras...... I noticed the helmet in your profile pic are you on the job?

 

[Lucky13driver]

So this is an example of what I was shooting for. The ends will be able to to accept some of the benchtop tools i have like a receiver hitch on a pickup truck.

 

[Lucky13driver]

I had a great day in the shop. Cut the tubing and angle iron for the frame.

 

[machsnell]

machsnell I just measured them the box minus casters and handle is 42" wide 34.5" high 22" deep

Thanks!

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[NUTTSGT]

Nutts thanks I've always wanted a great shop. And this will be the coup de gras...... I noticed the helmet in your profile pic are you on the job?

Yessir, going on 19 years. That was my first helmet and my current helmet is red as I got promoted to Lieutenant back in May.

 

[Lucky13driver]

NUTTSGT congrats on 19 years! I'm about 6 months behind you, I'm an engineer. And believe it or not my name is Eric also .

 

[Lucky13driver]

So today I did a little surface prep and beveled the edges. A tip I learned from an oilfield welder is to spray a little Pam cooking spray on the freshly ground metal to prevent rust...it also makes a great anti splatter coating, and if you get the butter flavor it smells like movie popcorn when it gets hot.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Bullnerd here's a pic of the truck
It's a 1955 chevy short bed.

 

[bullnerd]

Absolutely beautiful!

Thank you for the pic!

My favorite of all the old trucks!

 

[Lucky13driver]

Here's an update. 'The 90 degree clamp has proven to be a huge help holding the parts all square. Also you will notice the use of a ratchet strap to help pull the parts togather it worked surprisingly well. I had a porosity problem on one of the welds due to running out of argon. I'll be on the business end of a grinder tomorrow.

 

[jrb2]

Here is the one I built. It works great except that I did it just before HF changed to the 22 inch cabinets. Mine are closer to 18 inches deep.

 

[NUTTSGT]

NUTTSGT congrats on 19 years! I'm about 6 months behind you, I'm an engineer. And believe it or not my name is Eric also ��.

Engineer, must be a large dept, Corpus Christi FD ?

I'll have 19 in March but I bought 2.5 years of military service credit so I'm over 21 in the pension system.

We're a small dept, so we do it all, no engineers, truckies or EMS guys, we rotate to do it all.


Are you using pure argon or 75/25 ? (CR 25)

 

[Lucky13driver]

Jrb2 wow. I hope mine turns out that nice. The vise system is really close to what I'm going to do.

 

[Lucky13driver]

NUTTSGT Yes sir I'm with CCFD. We are kinda mid sized 350-400 personnel.

I'm using 75/25 and .030 er70-6 wire

More pics to come!

 

[Lucky13driver]

Here is the update pics. I decided to ad some gussets to the corner joints and under the tool mounts. That had no extra cost due to extra material I had. However, I bought some really big nuts and bolts for leveling feet and they were surprisingly expensive. If I were to do it over I'd consider scaffolding screw jacks instead.

 

[Jayman17]

Bullnerd here's a pic of the truck
It's a 1955 chevy short bed.

Lucky, I love your truck that's one of my favorite years. So nice. Looking forward to watching your bench build.

Jay

 

[NUTTSGT]

Gussets look good and probably not a bad idea.

What size are those nuts/bolts ?

 

[ScottsGT]

Wow! That frame could support a cement truck! Hope to start a thread soon with my box build.

 

[Lucky13driver]

NUTTSGT those are 11/4 inch bolts they take a 2 inch wrench.