new garage/work bench ideas needed
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2002
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new garage/work bench ideas needed
i sold my house a couple of weeks ago, (it sold in three days and i got full price
)
i am going to build a new garage in the next couple of weeks at the new place, nothing too big, probably 20x24ish, with scissor trussus for a little more head room. anyways...i am going to build new cabinets, the lumber yard had a pile of black malemine laying around, they sold me 40+ sheets for only $150, i couldn't pass that up and black cabinets will look cool. here's my question, usually when i have build work benches, i have used solid core wood doors for my counter tops, they are super strong and will take a beating, however they don't look to nice after a while, painting them makes them look even worse after a little use on them. and then tend to burn when welding on them.
what have you guys used for tops?
if anyone has any ideas for any "must haves" for the garage, i already have a big screen tv and a beer tap setup going in, let me know.
thanks
) i am going to build a new garage in the next couple of weeks at the new place, nothing too big, probably 20x24ish, with scissor trussus for a little more head room. anyways...i am going to build new cabinets, the lumber yard had a pile of black malemine laying around, they sold me 40+ sheets for only $150, i couldn't pass that up and black cabinets will look cool. here's my question, usually when i have build work benches, i have used solid core wood doors for my counter tops, they are super strong and will take a beating, however they don't look to nice after a while, painting them makes them look even worse after a little use on them. and then tend to burn when welding on them.
what have you guys used for tops?
if anyone has any ideas for any "must haves" for the garage, i already have a big screen tv and a beer tap setup going in, let me know.
thanks
Safety Car
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From: Connectivette
Melting Slicks
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From: Northern VA
I used some left over cabinets when I built my house. For a countertop, I just went to Home Depot and got the pre-made formica top with a turned edge and built it backsplash. I beefed it up underneath and it's pretty solid. A friend of mine found a butcher going out of business and and bought lengths of solid wood butcher block. I've never seen anything more solid than that! Here's my set up:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
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From: Central Maryland
Whatever you do, don't build a garage as small as 20x24. You'll hate yourself for it later. 24x24 is the absolute minimum for a 2-bay garage, and larger in either/both directions is better still. At the very least, go more than 24 deep to allow plenty of room for workbenches, tool cabinets, compressors, etc.
Be well,
SJW
Be well,
SJW
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: eville in
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: PA
Originally Posted by SJW
Whatever you do, don't build a garage as small as 20x24. You'll hate yourself for it later. 24x24 is the absolute minimum for a 2-bay garage, and larger in either/both directions is better still. At the very least, go more than 24 deep to allow plenty of room for workbenches, tool cabinets, compressors, etc.
Be well,
SJW
Be well,
SJW
The length allows you to work on a workbench without having to remove a car first. Mine's 24x26 because the builder in my subdivision built this house for his daughter. Most of the rest are around 20X20.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
I used solid core flush doors for my workbench top. I covered them with 1/4" hardboard (masonite) using 3/4" wood screws (countersink the heads). Then I trimmed the edges with 1x2 maple. When the masonite gets too beat up or looks ratty I just take out the screws and replace the top.
When I had the garage built I had the builder add an additional 3' to one side (21x26) so I had room for the workbench.
When I had the garage built I had the builder add an additional 3' to one side (21x26) so I had room for the workbench.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Redding California
Originally Posted by SJW
Whatever you do, don't build a garage as small as 20x24. You'll hate yourself for it later. 24x24 is the absolute minimum for a 2-bay garage, and larger in either/both directions is better still. At the very least, go more than 24 deep to allow plenty of room for workbenches, tool cabinets, compressors, etc.
Be well,
SJW
Be well,
SJW
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Thread Starter
Race Director
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back yard space will only allow a 20x24 garage
this house is only temporary, i plan on building a new house next year, at that point i will pull out all the stops and build my permanent garage.
the garagejournal.com site is great, i signed on last week
this house is only temporary, i plan on building a new house next year, at that point i will pull out all the stops and build my permanent garage.
the garagejournal.com site is great, i signed on last week
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Redding California
Originally Posted by atotalnincompoop
back yard space will only allow a 20x24 garage
this house is only temporary, i plan on building a new house next year, at that point i will pull out all the stops and build my permanent garage.
this house is only temporary, i plan on building a new house next year, at that point i will pull out all the stops and build my permanent garage.
Well, that sorta limits things then. I guess you'll have to go with the 20x24.
You could always tell the wife she has to park her car outside until you build the new house.
Safety Car
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From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
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The solid core doors are really good for this, and I would agree with adding the 1/4" hardboard to it with screws, so it can be replaced when it gets bad. The Hard Maple edging will wear better than most other woods.
Team Owner
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From: eville in
Originally Posted by jerkyboy
I used some left over cabinets when I built my house. For a countertop, I just went to Home Depot and got the pre-made formica top with a turned edge and built it backsplash. I beefed it up underneath and it's pretty solid. A friend of mine found a butcher going out of business and and bought lengths of solid wood butcher block. I've never seen anything more solid than that! Here's my set up:
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,817
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From: Hartland WI
Originally Posted by SJW
Whatever you do, don't build a garage as small as 20x24. You'll hate yourself for it later. 24x24 is the absolute minimum for a 2-bay garage
Thread Starter
Race Director
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Originally Posted by rstackjd
Ok - I'll ask - what the heck's a Beaumont? 
Race Director
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The clinic I worked at replaced the metal ambulance entrance door with a new one. I asked permission to have it and they gave it to me for free. It was a bit wide so I cut it down with a carbide blade in my skil saw. I mounted in on 4X4s and can beat the living crap out of it with no problems. The only drawback is that I had to fill in the hole used for the "peephole". If you have a place that recycles building material then you might be able to find one like it.
