Workbench to House 44" HF Tool Cabinet?

[nolimits76]

Moved into a new house recently and there was some existing work benches that stayed with the house. At first I was pretty excited, but upon closer inspection I noticed the ones below the peg board are actually (2) units made with a 3/8" or 1/2" MDF top and not up to my standards. Also, I currently only have a cheapo 26" wide tool cabinet & chest and out of space to store tools. I actually have tools in their original boxes waiting to be stored properly.

While I would love a SO or other quality toolbox, I realize that is probably not going to happen for the money I want to spend and the fact I don't turn wrenches for a living.

Hence, enter the 44" US General toolbox sold by Harbor Freight. Reviews are good. Space is right. Price is right. Only thing that has me concerned is the dimensions.... 44" wide x 40" tall x 18" deep.

I would prefer to make a work bench myself and save a few bucks. Did a few before. Will probably do 2x4 frame for the top, spaced on 2' centers. Use 4x4's for legs with joints for the 2x4 frame to rest (or screw & glue 2x4's in lieu of 4x4's). I will use 3/4" plywood for the top. I don't think I will put in a bottom shelf. I am thinking of placing the 44" box on one side and the 26" box on the other and leaving the middle for a spot for me to sit.

Here's my dilema...have any of you did this? Adding up the dimensions, this thing can get tall quickly. With height of 40" if I add 1/4" play plus 3-1/2" for a 2x4 that is putting TOP OF FRAME at 43.75". With plywood, I will be at 44.5" tall and that seems too high. Max I'd like to be at is 42" to TOP OF BENCH. FYI, overall length of work bench will be approx 9' long.

Also, I am not sure how to tie this into the existing part that I want to keep, as that height is around 35" to the lower shelf/bench.

Got any pics showing what you did? And comments on the height? Maybe I should re-think this?

Here are pics of the existing setup.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I think I've seen some threads around here where they took the casters off, but I'm not sure what the height after that is.

 

[shoot summ]

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126086&highlight=steveo

 

[bgarrett]

I like my workbench higher than the standard 36"

 

[zchrisz]

i've built a bench around my hf box, i'll have to get a picture, i don't remember the exact height, but i did take the casters off the box and put a piece of 1/2" plywood under it.

 

[nolimits76]

Thanks everyone. Looks like taking the wheels off is the ticket. Doing some searches and reviews I stumbled across the thread Stevo created (that shoot summ also linked) and there is some GREAT info in there. Some other guys posted where they made similar setups; however, all of them are using a METAL base.

I haven't really worked much with metal, nor know how to weld or have the equipment to make it happen. It's something I would like to learn, but not sure I can be patient enough to do all that before I get my garage organized.

zchrisz, if you have some pics of yours, that would be great! With you putting plywood below it, there is hopes of someone that has built out a WOODEN work bench.

I could mimick alot of Steveo's design with wood. My concerns is Steveo removed the casters and set his boxes on a metal frame located a few inches from the bottom. That frame essentially supported the box, and all the tools. I think I remember reading something that the steel frame had about 3,000# load capacity. I am fairly certain that a WOOD frame will NOT meet this requirement but will do some searches to determine load capacity.

Would love to see some pics and hear other ideas if they exist. Thanks.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I took the wheels off and used some wood spacers to support a solid-core door. I wanted my final height to be 37", so I might have also used wood underneath the thing. The box itself is plenty strong to support a bench.

Mine wasn't as cool as Steevo's, but it'll give you an idea of how easy this can be without welding.

 

[shoot summ]

Thanks everyone. Looks like taking the wheels off is the ticket. Doing some searches and reviews I stumbled across the thread Stevo created (that shoot summ also linked) and there is some GREAT info in there. Some other guys posted where they made similar setups; however, all of them are using a METAL base.

I haven't really worked much with metal, nor know how to weld or have the equipment to make it happen. It's something I would like to learn, but not sure I can be patient enough to do all that before I get my garage organized.

zchrisz, if you have some pics of yours, that would be great! With you putting plywood below it, there is hopes of someone that has built out a WOODEN work bench.

I could mimick alot of Steveo's design with wood. My concerns is Steveo removed the casters and set his boxes on a metal frame located a few inches from the bottom. That frame essentially supported the box, and all the tools. I think I remember reading something that the steel frame had about 3,000# load capacity. I am fairly certain that a WOOD frame will NOT meet this requirement but will do some searches to determine load capacity.

Would love to see some pics and hear other ideas if they exist. Thanks.

You would be surprised what wood will support.

Build a base out of wood and 3/4" ply, a 2x2 frame with 3/4" ply on each side will net you a 3" rise. You could rip 2x6's in half instead of 2x2 and get a 4" rise. If you build the frame right, glue and screw the ply to it, the support capabilities will be pretty high.

 

[Jagmandave]

Here's mine so far.....

View media item 34050

 

[taumac]

I keep casters on mine and did bench on top. Think it was around 40 or so but think there about 42 wide without handle and 32 33 tall without casters. I can measure when get home later. But mine in link in my Sig below

 

[bullfrog123]

4x4" legs, 2x6" outer frame, top is 3/4" particle board.
I built this setup 2yrs ago and still holding strong. I took the castors off and used some scrap ply to space it off the concrete floor like 1/4".

 

[taumac]

I forgot to post last night but its 33 1/2 without casters And 42 wide without handle. What you putting on wall opposite of bench? From pictures look like you can put it there and build bench however you want. I thought myself of taking casters off but I like mine if needed to be moved. I myself want it lower but I'm looking for smaller casters to mount in place of the HF ones that it came with.

 

[ChevyEFI]

overall length of work bench will be approx 9' long.

Measure and see if two 56" boxes will fit.

The HF 56" Roller Cabinet is the new hotness. The 44" is yesterdays news.

 

[jesse72]

I built this one to house 2 of the 44" boxes, but I still haven't bought them yet Anyways it ended up being 40 1/4" tall. That is based on taking the casters off and using 2x4s laid flat as a base for the boxes. The top is double 3/4" plywood. I like a tall bench so I don't have to bend over at all to work at it.

 

[nolimits76]

I forgot to post last night but its 33 1/2 without casters And 42 wide without handle. What you putting on wall opposite of bench? From pictures look like you can put it there and build bench however you want. I thought myself of taking casters off but I like mine if needed to be moved. I myself want it lower but I'm looking for smaller casters to mount in place of the HF ones that it came with.

Thanks for the dimensions, that is interesting news on the box width. I just assumed it was 44" plus the handle.

FYI, in his other thread, Steveo provided me a link for adjustable legs. Pricey suckers! Interesting thing is if you go back to the main page, they have casters also. I didn't spend much time looking but they have LOTS of options; however, I think our limitation will be finding something in the diameter you want and that can carry the max load of the box + tools.

Here is the link to the caster section:
http://www.jwwinco.com/products/section14/index.html

In regards to the other wall, I presume you mean where the L shape continues on? The tall section that is blocked out with 2x4's is for a refrigerator. The small section to the left of that (with the angled wall) I plan to frame out and make shelves for storing paints, chemicals, etc and I will put a door on the front. The work bench to the right of the refrigerator space I plan on raising to match the height of the new bench where the 44" cabinet will be housed. The small section that is open underneath it I plan on putting the 26" wide base cabinet I have of my cheapo box. I know that sounds all confusing. I will try to lay out on CAD once I get it all figured out.

Measure and see if two 56" boxes will fit.

The HF 56" Roller Cabinet is the new hotness. The 44" is yesterdays news.

Would LOVE to go 56" but it doesn't work well with my current budget. Nice thing is I have options for the future.

I built this one to house 2 of the 44" boxes, but I still haven't bought them yet Anyways it ended up being 40 1/4" tall. That is based on taking the casters off and using 2x4s laid flat as a base for the boxes. The top is double 3/4" plywood. I like a tall bench so I don't have to bend over at all to work at it.

I love that bench. You had a thread somewhere with details on it because I remember seeing it. Link please?

Anyhow, I started laying out the details on CAD and came to the same conclusion to lay 2x4's flat as the base for cabinet bottoms. Cheap, gets it off the floor, and I have essentially no concerns with load.

 

[taumac]

Talking about wall to left across form the bench with pegboard

 

[jesse72]

Here is that link whitefeather

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210523

 

[nolimits76]

I am super stoked. I took advantage of the tent sale today and picked up my 44" cabinet...$349!!! I would have liked to grab 2 at that price, but we just moved in and still buying other **** for the house.

Anyhow, with the cabinet in hand I can finish designing the work bench and start organizing everything.

Here is that link whitefeather

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=210523

Thanks Jesse, I think I am going to make something similar but have mine attach to the wall. Just curious...how stable is yours bring free standing?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Congrats on the new bench. You know we'll be awaiting build pictures so take plenty of them.

 

[csp]

I have two of them sitting on plywood frames which are leveled prior to setting the boxes on them and bolting them to the frame.

One sits between a couple of tall, homemade cabinets and the other has part of an elevator door sitting on top of it and used as a workbench.

 

[nolimits76]

Thanks Eric, I will do so. Got quite a mess to get cleaned up so I can just start the project. Since moving in, it looks like a bomb went off in my garage.

Hey csp....where did you find the elevator door. That is a great idea I think. How much does one of those weigh? And where did you find it, and how much did it cost?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Elevator door, that has to be a first here.

 

[paranoid56]

I took the wheels off and used some wood spacers to support a solid-core door. I wanted my final height to be 37", so I might have also used wood underneath the thing. The box itself is plenty strong to support a bench.

Mine wasn't as cool as Steevo's, but it'll give you an idea of how easy this can be without welding.

where did you get this side cabinet? i didnt think HF made one that small

 

[Jack Olsen]

I got that side cabinet at HF. At the time, it was the only one they carried. I think I've seen a shorter one since then.

 

[paranoid56]

funky, i only see this huge thing now.
http://www.harborfreight.com/end-cabinet-for-roller-tool-chest-68991.html

 

[Jack Olsen]

Yeah, it looks like they've changed the lineup. Here's an old picture that shows one:

That's from when they had the matte finish and you could get them for $271 with a coupon.

 

[paranoid56]

sorry, this pic better shows the size

 

[nolimits76]

Jack, what kind of top did you use? And is that a metal edging on the perimeter? More details on that too, please. Also, what overhang did you use...3"??

I could kick myself in the rear...at my last place, I used a big 12' solid core door (like used in hospitals) that I got for free from my work.

 

[jesse72]

[/QUOTE] Thanks Jesse, I think I am going to make something similar but have mine attach to the wall. Just curious...how stable is yours bring free standing?[/QUOTE]


Its pretty stable, my floor isn't level so I used some thin wood wedges to level it up. I wouldn't mind having it secured to the wall but Im in a rental house so I cant bolt it to the wall. But it has no wobble to it as it is now either

 

[csp]

Hey csp....where did you find the elevator door. That is a great idea I think. How much does one of those weigh? And where did you find it, and how much did it cost?

I got the door from a neighbor. His dad had four of them and he didn't have space for all of them, so he gave it to me. It's pretty damn heavy. It's stainless on top and has lots of steel in it for the framework behind the skin. I would guess it's probably 100-120 lbs.