| Project by DaveJ | posted 722 days ago | 1667 views | 4 times favorited | 18 comments | ![]() |
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The base cabinets on the left side – the two doors and 10 small drawers – are from a bench that my Grandfather built around 1945. You can see that original bench in the third picture. I inherited the bench when my Dad retired his shop a few years ago. I’m short on floor space, but really wanted to keep the bench. My solution was to mount the upper unit to the wall (which you can see on my shop page) and use the base in this cabinet. This gives me the option of reassembling the original bench configuration if I move into a larger shop or to pass it further down the generations.
Top is veneered ash and walnut. “Old” base cabinets are a mix of white and red oak; new base is red oak. Finished with Danish oil.
-- Dave J. Oakdale, MN































18 comments so far
mrtrim
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1700 posts in 759 days
posted 722 days ago
wow great bench
TomFran
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2501 posts in 873 days
posted 722 days ago
Beautiful cabinets! It’s great to have a little family history in the shop.
-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28
schroeder
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508 posts in 1004 days
posted 722 days ago
Beautiful! – Great story behind the heirloom.
-- The Gnarly Wood Shoppe
cajunpen
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5970 posts in 944 days
posted 721 days ago
That is a beautiful bench/cabinet. Don’t think I would want to do any work on the bench – be afraid to scratch it. Nice job – saving a family heirloom.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
ChrisBabayco
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65 posts in 806 days
posted 721 days ago
Very nice- I want one. I want my own shop too, but that is a separate problem…
shaun
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361 posts in 784 days
posted 721 days ago
That is one sweet looking shop cabinet Work would come to a hault if that were in my shop. I be afraid of ruining it.
-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!
miles125
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1414 posts in 884 days
posted 721 days ago
Lots o storage! great job
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""
Kevin Violette
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214 posts in 742 days
posted 721 days ago
I’m with cajunpen and shaun, I’d be afraid to use it. I tell you though they look really nice!
-- Kevin -- (http://www.furniturebykevin.com)
DaveJ
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69 posts in 802 days
posted 721 days ago
Thanks for the nice comments. As far as dinging it up, I look at it like my truck. In September 2000, it was brand new, shiny and dent-free. Today, it’s about to turn over to 100,000 miles and has plenty of wear and tear from hauling wood, tools, and kids. I expect that it will be the same with this cabinet. It’s there to work!
-- Dave J. Oakdale, MN
Thos. Angle
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4015 posts in 841 days
posted 721 days ago
That’s quite a top on that work bench, Dave!! Really nice with lots of storage. Now get in there and ding up a few memories on it. I agree with what you said about the truck. It was built to work not sit around, just like us. Great job.
-- Thos. Angle
Dadoo
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1724 posts in 869 days
posted 721 days ago
Damn son, that’s really beautiful! Your grandfather would be really proud to see it as well! I also like the idea of a couple color photos hanging around too. Gives it a “homey” look.
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
newguy
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58 posts in 805 days
posted 720 days ago
Dave,
Beautiful work tell you the truth I’d be afraid to do anything other than put a coaster on it and drink a beer (of course being very careful to not spill anything). Looks like you’ve been real busy and have done a great job. Good to see you are still creating good projects.
Regards,
Fred Lueck
-- Fred, Parker, Colorado
dustynewt
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440 posts in 741 days
posted 719 days ago
Great job. It looks like a very inspirational place to work.
-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com
Dorje
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1768 posts in 875 days
posted 719 days ago
Awesome!
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
Outnmbrd
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11 posts in 955 days
posted 717 days ago
Wow, sweet cabinets! Makes me rethink my shop plans
-- time, there's never enough time...
Budgie
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112 posts in 816 days
posted 533 days ago
WOW! What a work bench.
-- Bud, NY, http://tpww.libsyn.com/
WoodSpanker
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298 posts in 271 days
posted 265 days ago
I’m a little late to the party here, but Thats is just beautiful! And the history behind it is what makes it truly special! I hope my kids choose to follow that closely in MY footsteps. :)
-- Adventure? Heh! Excitement? Heh! A Woodworker craves not these things!
Pie
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73 posts in 284 days
posted 240 days ago
I thought that was your kitchen! Very nice, I would be afraid to build anything on that in fear of scratching it.
-- Pie