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| Grease is not included on this work bench’s top- you’ll have to supply your own. | Don’t forget the zip ties- a car geek’s most required “tool” for modifying! |
Work benches are extremely important. Not only do they provide great storage space, but they are also an excellent place to work. Usually constructed out of a heavy duty steel frame and topped by a thick piece of lumber or a galvanized steel shell of fiberboard, you can cut, measure, construct, or design with your tools stored safely below you. One of the Project Garage benches (top left) is a fairly cheap (about $100) model made by Rapid Rack Industries. It comes with a 3/4″ thick work bench top, large bottom shelf that holds up to 500 pounds, and two small ball bearing drawers for storage. It includes a pegboard to clip vice grips or pliers up for easy reach, a six outlet power strip, and an 18″ shoplight for added convenience. The powder coated paint is durable and corrosion resistant. You better already own some tools though because this work bench is assembled by you.
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| Here’s a peek into the cabinet in my work bench. This is where I hold all the air tools (article coming soon), die grinders, and other miscellaneous electronic tools. |
The other work bench (top right) has some larger drawers to store power tools and air tools. It is the Craftsman 4 Drawer model 59831 which also retails for around $100. The 7/8″ fiberboard work surface is perfect for laying out the Factory Service Manual or a place to leave shop towels and heavy duty work gloves for easy access. Storage on the side is ideal for magnetic and gripping tools when you accidentally drop that bolt. This is also a do-it-yourself assembly. A peg board on top of the work bench will provide more overhead storage for wrenches, safety glasses, scissors, etc. Pegboard backwalls can cost upwards of $100 but you can buy a sheet of tempered hardwood pegboard at any hardware store and bolt it to the wall yourself for about $20. Heavy duty steel pegboard will cost double (or more) and while I’ve yet to find it necessary, it’s also an option. I suppose if you like to power wash your garage, the steel pegboard is the way to go as the hardwood one may rot if it gets soaked. Peghooks can be purchased in assortments for a couple of bucks.
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| Remember- measure twice and cut once. This simple design was found online for free. |
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| Everyone’s garage *starts* out clean… I save these photos to remind me of that time. | This work bench also came in handy when installing bamboo floors in the house. Wait, you didn’t think that saw dust came off one of my cars did you??? Hardwood splitter FTW! Just kidding! |
