Keith Beck
04-16-2006, 12:04 PM
Working in a small shop (aka a two car garage that's also full of yard equipment, bikes, etc.) means storage is always at a premium and it's beneficial to have things that perform more than one function. So, having seen plans for a workbench that also serves as lumber storage, I knew that was something right up my alley (http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/2005/04/15/sn/) (http://www.woodworkingtips.com/etips/2005/04/15/sn/)
So, here's my rendition of the bench
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC02807594x413.jpg
I did make a few modifications to the original design, like adding the hardboard and skirting to the top. I got the solid-core door for the top at a local Salvation Army type store - it's heavy! The bonus is I bought it on the day they had 50% off of everything. The pipe I got free from a remodeling job that was going at my brother's business. All together, I think this bench cost around $50 to build. I think that's money well spent! As you can see, it's also currently serving as clamp storage until I get around to building a mobile clamp cart (available wall space is short in my shop).
My brother also gave me a old metal cabinet he had put in wheels. He was using it for his miter saw, but no longer needed it after a re-do of his shop. I'm now using it as a my planer cart. Not only does it give me more storage inside, I also added a paper sorter that was a swap meet find to hold my sandpaper and built a simple clamp rack on the side. Total cost = $2 for the paper sorter.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC02808459x465.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC02809456x451.jpg
Well, thanks for looking at some of my budget builds. :)
Keith
So, here's my rendition of the bench
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC02807594x413.jpg
I did make a few modifications to the original design, like adding the hardboard and skirting to the top. I got the solid-core door for the top at a local Salvation Army type store - it's heavy! The bonus is I bought it on the day they had 50% off of everything. The pipe I got free from a remodeling job that was going at my brother's business. All together, I think this bench cost around $50 to build. I think that's money well spent! As you can see, it's also currently serving as clamp storage until I get around to building a mobile clamp cart (available wall space is short in my shop).
My brother also gave me a old metal cabinet he had put in wheels. He was using it for his miter saw, but no longer needed it after a re-do of his shop. I'm now using it as a my planer cart. Not only does it give me more storage inside, I also added a paper sorter that was a swap meet find to hold my sandpaper and built a simple clamp rack on the side. Total cost = $2 for the paper sorter.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC02808459x465.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j114/ldoforcno/DSC02809456x451.jpg
Well, thanks for looking at some of my budget builds. :)
Keith