Bench & shelf unit under $100.00

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Dalecamino

Dalecamino

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Since I have zero bench space in the shed, I built this cheap unit for etching, anodizing and maybe eventually some plating of pen parts. Also gives me a place to stack those storage tubs. Might even get a car in here now. Spent less than $100.00 but not by much, even with plywood prices in Florida. Considering, stain or paint. Whatcha think?
 

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not bad... did similar in my basement. I would just pick up one of the off color or miss matched color gallon cans of paint at Home Depot or Lowes. They usually sell them for near nothing. Just get two and mix them to get a couple gallons of the same color.
 
I always worry about designs like this tipping. Put something heavy in those big bottom spaces. Aside from that it looks very functional, which is what you want.

This is going to sound weird but I saw something like this the guy used garage floor epoxy on the work surface. I saw another person but bed liner on his. Weird ideas but they worked. One of my mechanics decided to paint one of our work benches and it was a big mistake, the first time solvent or other not nice chemical hit it softened and got all over everything that was put on it. Paint was nothing but a head ache.
 
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Nice design Chuck you could anchor it to the walls if you thing tipping would be a problem.
You might be able to buy the ready made counter tops from HD/Lowes as cheap as doing the laminate yourself. One of the poly stains ought to give you color and finish in one step
Too bad Im not closer to you I have most of that stuff left over
 
cnirenberg said:
Chuck,
Looking good...
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Thanks Cris

Haynie said:
I always worry about designs like this tipping. Put something heavy in those big bottom spaces. Aside from that it looks very functional, which is what you want.

This is going to sound weird but I saw something like this the guy used garage floor epoxy on the work surface. I saw another person but bed liner on his. Weird ideas but they worked. One of my mechanics decided to paint one of our work benches and it was a big mistake, the first time solvent or other not nice chemical hit it softened and got all over everything that was put on it. Paint was nothing but a head ache.
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There will be two more shelves in the bottom spaces. I thought I would store the shop vac in one side, but it's 1" too wide. Not worried about tipping. It's two feet deep, and anchored to the wall. Thanks for the tips.

mredburn said:
Nice design Chuck you could anchor it to the walls if you thing tipping would be a problem.
You might be able to buy the ready made counter tops from HD/Lowes as cheap as doing the laminate yourself. One of the poly stains ought to give you color and finish in one step
Too bad Im not closer to you I have most of that stuff left over
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Thanks Mike. It is anchored to the wall. I looked at the counter tops, and laminate sheets. Both are over $50.00. They are 4'x8' I'm considering some 24" floor tiles. Although your scraps sound better to me. I have to consider my options. The one step stain will be what I want. Thanks!

beck3906 said:
Besides pre-made countertops at Lowes, look at surplus centers and the Habitat resale centers.
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Good idea, but too far to travel.
 
Chuck, how about some cheap carpet tiles for the counter top. Sure helps when worrying about scratching a perfect CA finish. Plus you can pull them up and replace as they get glue and stuff on them. That what I have on one of my bench tops and works great. buuuuurrrrr its cold up here!
 
Looks good but I would add an extra 3/4 of ply to the work area. If you screw it down you will always be able to swap it out if I gets damaged. It will also reduce any flex. Add a cross brace across the front of the work surface again to help make a more rigid work surface. Finally swing by your local scrap yard get get a piece of stainless for the top. It should cost about as much as new laminate and last forever. It will be some effort shaping it but in the end it is worth it.
 
Chuck:
This was made from a piece of oak plywood. I bought this two part epoxy sealer from the paint department at Home depot. It's really simple to do. You simply levl the project, mix the epoxy in a bucket an pour it on. IT self levels. This has been in place for several years and still looks great
 
rej19 said:
Chuck, how about some cheap carpet tiles for the counter top. Sure helps when worrying about scratching a perfect CA finish. Plus you can pull them up and replace as they get glue and stuff on them. That what I have on one of my bench tops and works great. buuuuurrrrr its cold up here!
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Thanks Ron, that's a good idea. But this bench is not for gluing. More for etching and anodizing, repairing VCRs and stuff. Find someplace to get warm. I did!:biggrin:

JLewis said:
Looks good but I would add an extra 3/4 of ply to the work area. If you screw it down you will always be able to swap it out if I gets damaged. It will also reduce any flex. Add a cross brace across the front of the work surface again to help make a more rigid work surface. Finally swing by your local scrap yard get get a piece of stainless for the top. It should cost about as much as new laminate and last forever. It will be some effort shaping it but in the end it is worth it.
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Thanks John, didn't think about stainless. No scrap yards around here though.
 
Thanks Andy. That one is NICE. Not sure I'd ever get this beast leveled though. I've seen that stuff on clocks and bar tops. Cool stuff.
 
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