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Workbench vs. toolbox

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JackOfDiamonds

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Joined
Jul 31, 2020
Messages
706
Location
Idaho (USA)
Why must I choose between a big, sturdy work bench that takes up a huge chunk of storage space, or a rolling toolbox that's no good to work on?

I know they put vestigial wooden tops on rolling tool chests, but let's be real...the height is wrong, there's no backstop, you can't stand right up to it because there's no space for your feet, and the thing is usually on wheels. That's not a workbench. It's just a surface to collect junk. But man, all those drawers...

Conversely, a workbench hardly stores anything, and I end up putting things on the ground under... maybe I should get a narrow tool chest and put it under a workbench, but now I'm paying twice...

I basically can't give up the floor or work space to fit a tool chest alone, and yet if I had more drawers, there'd be a lot less workbench top consumed... what's the magic formula?
 
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JackOfDiamonds

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Messages
706
Location
Idaho (USA)
Yes, that seems like what we need, but it seems we have to build our own workbench after still buying a toolbox...is there no product like this?

I can cut and weld square tubing but I don't know what I would use for the top.
 
R

RTM

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May 13, 2019
Messages
13,097
Location
SF Bay Area
I bought a Lee Valley split top workbench, and built my cabinet to fit. All wood, except for the drawer slides and small sides and slides combined. The chest sits on the horizontal rails of the bench.

Find, either a chest you like, and build the bench around it, or vice versa. Using the mass of the chest to make the bench more rigid and heavy is a great trick.

If you are a Woodworker, leave space between the top and the bench for holdfasts.
 
F

Firebrick43

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Joined
May 12, 2015
Messages
14,009
Location
West central Indiana
Lista and stor loc will make something to fit but more than likely you won’t like the price.

For a top it depends on what you are doing. You can make a top with two layers of 3/4” ACX ply laminated with a layer of mdf in the middle. Use titebond2 and some flat head screws to laminate. Predill the screw holes to screw shank diameter and remove and reuse after the glue dries. I suggest the RSK cabinet screw in 1.25 to do this.

Put a sheet of waxed tempered hard board on top for a glue proof and damage resistant top that is just screws on in the corners for easy replacement

If you want a more sturdy top you can hammer on or toss a greasy engine block up on use plate steel. 1/4” works well if there are supports every 16” or so up to 1/2” thick with just a perimeter frame. With a metal panel on the wall behind the bench it would be possible to weld even up on the bench.
 
S

swsman

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Joined
May 5, 2021
Messages
548
Location
Earthbound
I made this one to fit over the old roll carts I keep my tools in. My primary bench located right at the garage entry.

It is braced well and I am not afraid to hammer things while on there.

To date I have serviced a snow blower, weed wacker, and a bunch of other things.

My F250 tailgate has also come in handy as well, pop it open and keep it all close to one another. Small sheet of plywood if one wants it flat.
 

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shibertus

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Nov 13, 2018
Messages
275
JackOfDiamonds said:
I can cut and weld square tubing but I don't know what I would use for the top.
Click to expand...

Do a search for the "steevo bench"

i-zdWtjvc-M.jpg

HF Toolboxes Workbench - Phase 3

Continued from this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120386 ---------------------------------- Well, I got started on the next phase of the HF tool cabinet workbenches today. First I finished uncrating the tool boxes. All were in good shape and no missing or...
www.garagejournal.com www.garagejournal.com
 
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