Thread: kitchen carasses for workbench and storage

I did consider using kitchen cabinets for a workbench and SCMS station base, but instead I opted for a traditionally constructed buffet/sideboard instead. IMHO, it has more character, uses "real" wood, and serves as a talking point. Here's my current WIP thread. These vintage/antiques buffets are so out of fashion that many are being neglected and allowed to deteriorate beyond the point of no return. They're sometimes cheaper than kitchen cabinetry. It's a real shame because a lot of craftsmanship have gone into these pieces and some of the wood used now command premium prices. My buffet is made from Blackwood with Tassie Oak as the secondary timber.

The answer is... it depends on the application.

For a mitre saw bench, i see no issue depending if you can get it to work, as SCMS can be quite deep and you may end up needing to significantly modify the cabinets to make it work. My mitre saw bench is made up two computer desks from Ikea/officeworks. Its held together mostly with brad nails, to make it worse its in a workshop (read lean to) that isn't quite enclosed. It was made some 5 years ago and has seen some serious abuse. I have no reason to believe it won't last another 5 years. Just don't ask me to try and move it. Which is the key, if its a bench that requires to be mobile or is subjected to vibrations/racking forces i'd steer clear of chipboard as fasteners will work themselves loose over time.

Having said that.... if i were to do it again i wouldn't have gone down this route. I initially went down this route more out of necessity, partly due to lack of funds, partly due to having just moved houses and the two computer desks were no longer required and didn't want them to end up in the skip so i repurposed them. The main reason why i wouldn't do it again is mostly because ever since i've started woodworking i've started adopting the mantra of do it right do it once. As i can see myself at some point down the track wanting to rebuild the workbench using materials that are more... permanent.

I have IKEA Metod cabinets / drawers for one wall of my shed. Good for general storage.

So long as they are screwed and not just shot together they should be fine. If they are just nailed, screw them befor installing.

Originally Posted by rustynail

So long as they are screwed and not just shot together they should be fine. If they are just nailed, screw them befor installing.

Yeah, the big green shed has a few laundry cupboards that may be ok but they use camlock fittings so ruled them out pretty quick.

I'll have a hunt around and just see what i can find and compare it making my own vs having a mob spit out some custom melamine carcasses.

I have an old kitchen bench in one corner which I inherited when I bought this house in 2009. It is very solid. Formica top. Not deep enough for a SCMS but it's been very handy for many other things. We have to move now and I am seriously considering taking it with me, if I can drag the thing onto a trailer. It will depend if the bottom has rotted because it may have got wet at the back which I can't see. I might just decide it is too heavy for one person to move. But now that I am faced with finally doing without it, I realise just how useful it has been for so long. Of course that is not the same as a contemporary flatpack camlock thing but there must be some really useful items that can be reused out there if one can be bothered.

The stingy man in me has been browsing the furniture section on facebook market place. Im thinking about grabbing an old solid wood dinning table for $20 and using it as an assembly table, and just modifing as required.