Workbench build using H.F. 44 inch tool boxes

[theundermount]

Testing the limits of these low budget boxes! I would definitely make sure the top is resting on steel frame and the box is floating inside the structure!

uhhhh? have you read this thread at all?

 

[ScottsGT]

uhhhh? have you read this thread at all?

Yea, but that was a days ago. I've got other threads to **** on and can't remember all the details.

 

[1WickedEvo]

To the OP, wow! I can’t wait to see your progress on that top. Subscribed!!

 

[Lucky13driver]

Thanks guys! It's been super rainy the last few days and I've been cranking out the overtime as work but I'll get some more pictures up soon.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Well I finally got the chance and the help to put the top on the workbench. So the plan was to use 2 engine lifts with chains as chokers. The top is a 5/8" x 30"x 144" steel plate and weighs about 750 lbs. but very awkward. All I have left is to weld the top down to the framework. And put a coat of bed liner.

 

[smalltown]

That's a monster of a top.

 

[97dynaglide]

Lucky13, what are the dimensions of your garage?
Is it a 3 or 4 car garage?
And, with 3 cars parked inside, how or where do you pigeon hole all of your 'stuff'?

Love the workbench!

 

[1WickedEvo]

Holy cow!!! Now that’s a top! Nice job.


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[Lucky13driver]

Lucky13, what are the dimensions of your garage?
Is it a 3 or 4 car garage?
And, with 3 cars parked inside, how or where do you pigeon hole all of your 'stuff'?

Love the workbench!

It's a 3 car. 34 ft. By 22 ft. Deep. As far as getting everything put in it it's like a giant game of Tetrus the main work area is in the 3rd car stall. 12 ft. By 22 ft.

 

[Lucky13driver]

So today I was able to weld the top down in the front.The back is slid into some Unistrut like a C channel that's lag bolted to the wall finally I'm pretty convinced it's not going anywhere. i also took an angle grinder to remove the sharp corner after walking into it once or twice. Tomorrow I'm rolling on three coats of bed liner.

 

[akdiesel]

So today I was able to weld the top down in the front.The back is slid into some Unistrut like a C channel that's lag bolted to the wall finally I'm pretty convinced it's not going anywhere. i also took an angle grinder to remove the sharp corner after walking into it once or twice. Tomorrow I'm rolling on three coats of bed liner.

Lucky,

It look great. As for bed liner, I have had great results with the spray bed liner from Lowe’s for my drawer liners. It does have the anti slip finish but I unload my table saw, miter saw and other large tools in and out of the drawers all the time with peeling or scratching.

 

[Mecha]

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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This is fantastic, and similar to what I want to do. You don't have any pictures of the framing process do you? I have been racking my brain about 10 different ways to make the internal frame that the boxes sit on look nice. Any healthier process would be appreciated, because I am going for a similar look as yours.

 

[squigs]

This is fantastic, and similar to what I want to do. You don't have any pictures of the framing process do you? I have been racking my brain about 10 different ways to make the internal frame that the boxes sit on look nice. Any healthier process would be appreciated, because I am going for a similar look as yours.

Sent you a pm...

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[g00b86]

I’d also like to get some pics of that framing! I’m about to pull the trigger in the next week or two on the boxes.


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[squigs]

I’d also like to get some pics of that framing! I’m about to pull the trigger in the next week or two on the boxes.


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I don't have good pics,but if you pm me your email address, I can send you a copy of the sketch up plans I have for it. It's primarily made out of 3/4" plywood that's been doubled/tripled up to make half lap joints.

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[Lucky13driver]

Lucky,

It look great. As for bed liner, I have had great results with the spray bed liner from Lowe’s for my drawer liners. It does have the anti slip finish but I unload my table saw, miter saw and other large tools in and out of the drawers all the time with peeling or scratching.

Thanks I rolled on some Harbor freight. I've used it on some beach trucks and it's held up well. Hopefully I have the same luck.

 

[Lucky13driver]

And done with the bench now time to make the tool platforms to slide in the square tubes.

 

[prone2xl]

Incredible build. First time poster and new to the forum so apologies for the likely stupid question to follow: a 2 parter-
1) When you build these into frames such as this, how can u remove the cabinet / or can you? Or is this like a permanent / forever and ever thing that u couldn't swap out if u wanted to. Thanks ! Will continue to enjoy these.

2) Also what color do you guys like best for these boxes? I'm debating on the 26" top and bottom gen 2 and my current setup is a craftsman 41" red and black. Want to do the 26" next to it in the side and love the new blue color but wondering if it would tie in all wrong on a scheme that I've got going and maybe i should stick with black or red. ? Pic below of current setup in my indoor adjacent kitchen makeshift shop lol. Thanks fellas !
Miller Time


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[ScottsGT]

#1. If I remove the top on mine I can pull it back out. Might be a struggle since it’s tight.

#2. I stuck with red since I already had a red setup. Might have gone green or yellow if it was available when I did it.

 

[taumac]

Prone2xl. That’s a nice set up. I like those new Craftsman boxes. The box in many on these is just resting in a frame so could be removed. The great thing is you can take idea and build something to fit your place and idea. The really no rules.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Tamac is spot on. There are guys on here that make some pretty amazing stuff. Don't be a hesitant to bounce your ideas off some of them. Have fun, take pictures and post on them forum. Cheers.

 

[Jeffh40]

I'll be adding to this thread soon. My new house won't be built for 6 months or so but I'm beginning the planning already. Just bought 3 of these rolling tool boxes. I'll get everything organized and on wheels so all I have to do is roll it on the moving van. At least that is the plan. 3 of them isn't near enough to hold all the tools, but I can get quite a few in there.

Most of my tools are wood working so the larger drawers in the Husky ones work better for my needs.

My only rules for the new garage tool bench is that there will be no open shelves and everything on wheels. Everything will be a door or drawer and movable so it can be cleaned around. 20 years in my last workshop showed me that open shelves collect way too much sawdust.

 

[Lucky13driver]

I'll be adding to this thread soon. My new house won't be built for 6 months or so but I'm beginning the planning already. Just bought 3 of these rolling tool boxes. I'll get everything organized and on wheels so all I have to do is roll it on the moving van. At least that is the plan. 3 of them isn't near enough to hold all the tools, but I can get quite a few in there.

Most of my tools are wood working so the larger drawers in the Husky ones work better for my needs.

My only rules for the new garage tool bench is that there will be no open shelves and everything on wheels. Everything will be a door or drawer and movable so it can be cleaned around. 20 years in my last workshop showed me that open shelves collect way too much sawdust.

Jeffh40 sounds like an awesome idea I can't wait to see the pics. Having everything on wheels is really a great idea.

 

[taumac]

Keeping everything mobile is great idea. That’s what I did. I got 4 44’s and a side cabinet. Eventually I would like one long wall of cabinets but can’t do it in current garage. I made mine look like one long bench but individual pieces.

 

[prone2xl]

I'll be adding to this thread soon. My new house won't be built for 6 months or so but I'm beginning the planning already. Just bought 3 of these rolling tool boxes. I'll get everything organized and on wheels so all I have to do is roll it on the moving van. At least that is the plan. 3 of them isn't near enough to hold all the tools, but I can get quite a few in there.

Most of my tools are wood working so the larger drawers in the Husky ones work better for my needs.

My only rules for the new garage tool bench is that there will be no open shelves and everything on wheels. Everything will be a door or drawer and movable so it can be cleaned around. 20 years in my last workshop showed me that open shelves collect way too much sawdust.

Jeff I looked at those at the depot and they had a really nice matte finish. Good job ! Are those the 26" ? Going to do any top boxes ? I'm gonna add a top/bottom combo on the side of mine I think for added storage. I like the harbor freight 26" for the best capacity bang for the buck


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[Jeffh40]

Jeff I looked at those at the depot and they had a really nice matte finish. Good job ! Are those the 26" ? Going to do any top boxes ? I'm gonna add a top/bottom combo on the side of mine I think for added storage. I like the harbor freight 26" for the best capacity bang for the buck


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These are the 27" cabinets. I'm planning on a bench top over the tool boxes. Wall cabinets above to hold anything that doesn't fit (like Sawsall, and other longer tools).

 

[Lucky13driver]

Today was a blast! I drilled tapped and mocked up where my vise goes. Then put a couple of coats of red on the vise. Hopefully I can assemble it tomorrow.

 

[Lucky13driver]

After A few months of heat indexes in the 110s, South Texas finally got a cold front. So back out to the shop I go. I decided to put some plywood in the space between the bottom of the cabinets and the top of the work bench. After a few beers some stain and faux glaze I came up with a weathered wood “plank” wall. Up next the mounts for the bench top tools.

 

[LXCam]

Dang lucky, that’s super cool looking. Nice job!

 

[Lucky13driver]

Dang lucky, that’s super cool looking. Nice job!

Thank you sir! It was a fun day in the shop that’s for sure.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Yahoo, another cold front came in to town! So to capitalize on it I did some layout work and cut the steel for the tool platforms I was able to get the holes drilled as well. Tomorrow I hope to have all the sharp edges taken off and every thing welded up.

 

[Lucky13driver]

So today I had enough time to weld the tool platforms together. Hopefully I can take off the edges and get some primer on them tomorrow.

 

[mcdye]

Awesome work!! and inspiration, hopefully someday.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Awesome work!! and inspiration, hopefully someday.

Thank you sir! This was a fun build it took almost a year. I'm just about finished however, I plan on building one with laminated 2x4s as the top for my dad and I'm kicking around the idea of doing another thread.

 

[kumquat]

I'll be adding to this thread soon. My new house won't be built for 6 months or so but I'm beginning the planning already. Just bought 3 of these rolling tool boxes. I'll get everything organized and on wheels so all I have to do is roll it on the moving van. At least that is the plan. 3 of them isn't near enough to hold all the tools, but I can get quite a few in there.

Most of my tools are wood working so the larger drawers in the Husky ones work better for my needs.

My only rules for the new garage tool bench is that there will be no open shelves and everything on wheels. Everything will be a door or drawer and movable so it can be cleaned around. 20 years in my last workshop showed me that open shelves collect way too much sawdust.

Is this what you have in mind? Works good for me (but I might have cleaned the bench before the picture.

 

[dfndr]

Wonderful thread with much inspiration. What do you guys do to protect those pretty wood bench surfaces from dings and chemicals?

 

[Lucky13driver]

Is this what you have in mind? Works good for me (but I might have cleaned the bench before the picture.

Yes sir! That looks nice. Something like that would be just right.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Wonderful thread with much inspiration. What do you guys do to protect those pretty wood bench surfaces from dings and chemicals?

I haven't given much thought to that. Probably a sacrificial sheet of plywood or Masonite.

 

[Lucky13driver]

Today I mounted the benchtop tools to the receiver platforms. This also was the final step for the workbench build. I must say this was a blast to do. So here's the final pictures. Special thanks to SteveO for the inspiration. Thanks for following along guys.

 

[Jeffh40]

Is this what you have in mind? Works good for me (but I might have cleaned the bench before the picture.

Very similar but a little longer. I ended up with 4 boxes and they total about 9' long.

Here is a pic in my current garage. New garage is still under construction.