I foolishly went out and paid (what I think is) too much for a few garage cabinets. I should've researched it a little more before going impulse shopping, but you live and learn. Does anyone have suggestions for efficient, inexpensive storage cabinets for a garage?

Update:
The workbench Nash and I built turned out good. I had some 10 GA steel formed up at work to cover the top and fold under the front edge. This thing is stout as hell.

 

lowes has some over by the furniture and lawn and garden sections.. they are made by coleman, kinda expensive but they have a bunch of parts and you can mix and match to make what you want.. works out pretty good I think.. decent quality

 

Craftsman: http://www.sears.com/sr/search...CRAFT

Sauder (ready to assemble): http://www.hotrodbysauder.com/...b.asp

Just a few other choices...

 

Find a freind or neighbor that is remodeling the kitchen. Get their old base cabinets and wall cabinets. I scored several that way...just paint to your liking. I also managed to score a new countertop from the same frieind. The countertop shop screwed up a section and had to throw it away.

 

Is the 10 ga steel thick enough to stand up to tranny cases? I've been debating what to cover my DIY workbench with. Thick steel sheeting is expensive.

 

10 GA is pretty heavy. The forming for the front edge I did almost maxed out the tonage on the equipment. I had to buy the whole sheet (48" x 120") for $85. I supplied a quick drawing of what I wanted to our fab shop and the forming/cutting was free. I'd guess you could reproduce this bench top for under $150 locally. I had to beat on the front with a sledge hammer to get it over the front lip. After I pounded it home and screwed it down, it ain't going anywhere.

Before:


After:

 

Yeah, cruise around on trash day. Soon after we moved into our new house, my fiancee came home from a run all excited that she saw a bunch of cabinets out by the curb. We hopped in the car and cruised around the corner. There we found a whole kitchen out by the curb. So what if the look is a little '70s? We scored like 8+ feet of cabinet for free!

 

I would imagine that 10 ga will stand up to a lot since this is .1345" thick.

The old kitchen countertop is an excellent alternative- we had a workbench made this way in my parent's house.

 

I've been considering a 3/4" pressboard surface with galvanized steel folded over the edges. On a tighter budget, I'd be happy if I could find an old kitchen countertop that is approx. 34" x 72".