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Workbench and cabinet in man cave

toughgamer
Cultivating a Following

Workbench and cabinet in man cave

I've been working hard to get my garage up to shape since last year we bought the house - we live in a nice cul-de-sac so we have massive driveway which allows for 2 cars parked side by side or in tandem and still leaves plenty of walk space which means the garage is all mine to play.

 

My most recent project is the workbench + 2.2 meter tall cabinet combo, using solid FJ wood panels and 30mm BC grade plywood from Bunnings. I applied hardwood moulding / trimming along the exposed edges and also applied 3 layers of water based varnish, sanded down with 120/240 then a 3000 grit to do a shiny smooth finish. Also chamfered the hard edges using a Makita planer and some 60 grit sandpaper with a Bosch blue random orbital sander.

 

You'll find in the picture also my new arcade cabinet featuring a 32 inch screen, acrylic covered front panel and control panel, took me 6 weekends to finish together with my then 11 year old boy last year. It's also paired with dolphin bar and Wiimote controllers for some lightgun arcade shooting games.

 

In the process of making these awesome toys and storage, I also made a make-shift drop saw station with awesome dust collection (I built a dust cyclone myself as well for less than 40 bucks), and 2 foldable wings for timber support and precision cutting using a stop block and a clamp.

 

And a dart board that is now practically just a decor cos we got hooked with pingpong recently :laugh: 

 

 

 

and light is upand light is up

 

 

 

 

took me and wife half an hour to put up the side panels for the cabinet - it's 21kg each side...took me and wife half an hour to put up the side panels for the cabinet - it's 21kg each side...carcass is readycarcass is readyshelves are readyshelves are readyworkbench and cabinet side by sideworkbench and cabinet side by sidedoors are done!doors are done!all 4 doors are up!all 4 doors are up!shiny!shiny!hard oak edgehard oak edgeplenty of storageplenty of storageready for first round of paintready for first round of paintput some brackets for shelvingput some brackets for shelvingshelf is up!shelf is up!pegboard combined with French cleat - win-win!pegboard combined with French cleat - win-win!and light is upand light is updrawers drawersdrawers drawersall drawers done!all drawers done!tidied up with the old recliner 3 seater back in positiontidied up with the old recliner 3 seater back in positionmake-shift drop saw stationmake-shift drop saw stationand this bad boy has wings!and this bad boy has wings!the arcade that took me 6 weekendsthe arcade that took me 6 weekendsfancy dart board - yet to be usedfancy dart board - yet to be usedspacey! with timber for outdoor table (next project, probably for Xmas)spacey! with timber for outdoor table (next project, probably for Xmas)added storage for my beloved Bosch blue drills and drivers (you can never have enough drills and drivers can you?)added storage for my beloved Bosch blue drills and drivers (you can never have enough drills and drivers can you?)scrap wood? no worries, now I got myself a little laptop standscrap wood? no worries, now I got myself a little laptop stand

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

Hi @toughgamer

 

Thank you so much for sharing such an awesome and epic man cave makeover. Where do I begin? There are so many noteworthy spots on your build from the magnetic strip that's holding all your drill bits, the dedicated drill holder, and the hand vacuum mount all organized in easy-to-reach locations. 

 

The 30mm timber that you used will last you a long time, and the top shelf that holds your excess timber and other items were very well thought out. I see your arcade cabinet got your 11-year-old's sticker of approval and your drop saw table looks fantastic. Have you thought about a mini fridge and a sandwich press spot in the garage?

 

Again, thank you for sharing such a wonderful project.

 

Eric

 

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toughgamer
Cultivating a Following

Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

Thanks Eric! Yeah I was thinking about getting an xbox x mini fridge but pending wife's approval still :laugh: 

We have an alfresco / patio kinda space on the side of the house so we usually do some bbq there - but a sandwich press in the garage means we can stay in (until we need to use the loo) :laugh:

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

Hi @toughgamer

 

If you ever get the go-ahead to get the fridge and sandwich press. I hope this suggestion helps.

 

Eric

 

 

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JoeAzza
Kind of a Big Deal

Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

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Well done @toughgamer

I agree you can never have enough drills and drivers, I always say you can never have enough clamps

 

Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

Something to note, the Xbox Series X mini-fridge is more of a portable cooler than a fulltime fridge. It has both 240v and 12v connectors but expressly warns against running 24/7. I was always going to get it regardless but didn't realise that it wasn't a fulltime fridge until after delivery.

MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @BigChaps. It's sensational to have you join us, and great to see you jump into the discussion.

 

I trust any of our members that are considering that mini-fridge will appreciate your feedback. Perhaps the fridge could be switched on and off with a powerpoint timer. That way, you could have your drinks chilled and ready for your nightly 8 pm gaming session. You'd then have the timer switch the fridge off at midnight so it doesn't run all night long.

 

We look forward to hearing about all your projects and plans around the house and garden. Please reach out anytime you need assistance or have something to share with the community.

 

Mitchell

 

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Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

Good idea. But no. 🤪

toughgamer
Cultivating a Following

Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

Honey it's already done :laugh: time to do HIIT with me in the garage now.

 

(FYI everyone this is my wife trolling as usual).

Jason
Community Manager
Community Manager

Re: Workbench and cabinet in man cave

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @SophieBB. I'm sure you'll find lots of great ideas and helpful advice from the community here as well as the opportunity to keep an eye on your husband. Please don't hesitate to post any time you need a hand. 

 

Jason

 

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