As a woodworker, all I could think was “man I wish I could run the top through my planer before he glued it back together. Could have saved this man hours of sanding.” 😮💨
I found one of these old benchtops and am restoring it. Mine was bowed so I cut it in 4 sections with a track saw, then jointed and planed it, and re-glued the pieces. It's dead flat now. My wife doesn't know it yet, but it's going to become her new desk/workspace in her office.
It didn't take him hours using the belt sander she had. Also, a planer reduces thickness, he more than likely would have still sanded in some capacity.
I was thinking the same thing. Or better yet just coat it with epoxy that can take 3000 f temperature the kind you use on kitchen counter tops. I belive the years in a work environment add charter to it.
I’ve worked in a manufacturing environment for nearly 20 years and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to get my hands on one of these old lista benches lol. Nice work, now i need to try harder when i get the chance again. Nice work 👍
Find your local military base 'DRMO' auction site. These things are all over the military and are always collapsing/failing. You can pick them up cheap, especially the folded up ones that need restoration like this one.
@The Dusty Shed hell yeah I did. Still works fine. It ain't pretty though. But it's made for work and not looks. I bought a palm sander to sand down the workbench. Its got some nasty splinters and needs cleaned up. I've had it for several years now. Need new wheels too.
The steel top is a nice add on . The wood glue is stronger than the wood itself, biscuits or dowels help with alignment and that's about it. If the glue fails in your lifetime, you'll be glad you didn't use either of those. As for wood finish, you did well, any product will need to be touched up or redone in time. Solvent finishes do make the wood look nicer, water based polyurethanes hold up very well and are easy to reapply when needed. The only other upgrade I'd see as useful is a back panel to increase rigidity in the long run. Nuts and bolts will loosen over time and use. I had a metal cart that had nuts, bolts, lock washers. As a job-site cart it got moved frequently, it always needed tightening. Solution, tightened them all one last time, welded every joint and lap, removed nuts and bolts.
@Seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him Remember that Jesus worked as a carpenter, skilled at working productively with his hands, as part of his preparation for his ministry.
Repent to Jesus Christ “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 NIV K
Very nice! Your restoration was spot-on! I would have cut the metal bench surface in half and hinged each piece so I could have dual work surfaces if I wanted, but that's just a preference thing. Otherwise this looked incredible!
I enjoyed the entire video, but the creation of your custom emblem was awesome. I didn't realize it was that "easy". I was kind of partial to the beat up wood block. The new, sanded, and varnished slab looks nice, but the old surface had more character. Either way, nice work.
From a wood working perspective it would have been best to use biscuits or dowels to join the split pieces back together and then 3 coats of oil based polyurethane but that's just my opinion though, it turned out really great.
Biscuits and dowels don't do anything structurally, the glue does the heavy lifting, you only strengthen the joints with Dominoes/tongue and groove/mortises/screws but there's no need
Looks great, nice job on the restoration. It would be nice to know what products you're using for those of us, not in the know? Keep up the great work.
WOW! This was so satisfying to watch you redo the whole work bench to its original look. I found it so satisfying...beautiful top...the final touch was the castors. Thank you for sharing this...enjoyed the video very much.
I have an old lista machinists tool box with the butcher block top and 4 HD casters, the box was probably 20+ years old when I got it and that was 1998, I gave it to my son several years ago (he is a Chrysler Mechanic) but the box could use a good restoration now. Great job you did on the work table.
This was a fun watch - I especially enjoyed the dent repairs and reinforced bolt holes. But that hinged top... So wherever you put this thing you'll need to keep the wall totally clear behind it if you ever plan to fold it up - and not cover outlets like where you have it now. And you'll have to figure out how to keep it up while you're working and jiggling the table so it doesn't come slamming back down on you. I was hoping to see some planer magic on that wood top. lol!
You might wish to check that bottom drawer again. It seems as if it has sagged and it's hitting the bottom of the cabinet as you push it in. It's probably the metal bars that ride on the bearings that are bend upwards a bit.
Beautiful job. Somebody mentioned they would have made the metal top hinged in two places. I would have done that too. Just my personal preference as well. Great work.
Nice bench buddy...Im thinking what about fitting the steel top hinges at the front so it acts as a locking plate over the drawers etc...just another take on it, also the hinged steel top back is useful as you could lift it up against a wall and lock in place then you have a splashback or debris barrier...I like stuff that we can multi function...old pieces like this play very well to that...🤟🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Just an idea to consider. Your refinished benchtop is beautiful. I find that within weeks of all that work, my benchtop is looked pretty haggard. I put a sheet of 1/4 inch plywood on my benchtop with a few countersunk screws. When it becomes covered with glue, paint stains, beat up, etc. I can simply change the plywood and have a new benchtop. I then do not have to refinish my benchtop nearly as often. It nearly always stays presentable. Just a thought. A little more difficult if you have benchdog holes or certain vices, but something to consider.
That was a remarkable restoration. It was super satisfying to watch that belt sander grind that wood surface clean again. The surface turned out perfect and the paint job looks really good! That was cool how you made a metal surface that you can put on and that you put a nice bluing on it as well!! You did a perfect job start to finish! Great video!
I did something similar back in the day. When you start to reassemble it much easier to do upside down. Place top on the floor with bottom facing upward. You’re not fighting gravity that way. Very nice work, really like the castors!👍🔥
Walnut draw frts would look good. As for the metal top, if the hinges were installed on the underside of the top and you added strips to lift it off the wood top you could weld on it provided you did something to keep the heat off the wood top and had plenty of support parts then you could fold it up on the wall as a back splash. Pick a wood color you like but it can be thin its just a layer over the metal.
Looks like my dad's bench in the basement when I was a kid. Same color. Don't know if it's the same thing, very similar. Always nice to see one brought back. You can always use a good, strong bench. 👍
I got one one of those Lista benches out of my Mother-in-Law's garage! Might have to add a restoration project to my to-do list after this! Beautiful work.
While a workbench by nature is supposed to take a beating, still, at some point, they get to the point of "ya know what, workbench? You deserve better!" Great restoration, great modifications!
Lista is top end stuff, really built to last. When putting it together, I find the easiest way is to lay the top on the floor face down (on top of protection) and assemble the legs that way. Saves working from underneath. Then just turn the whole thing over. Would also save jacking up the drawer cabinet. Brilliant idea with the steel top, hinged as well! Good restoration though, great to watch.
Looks good. I would attach a magnet or two on the wall so you can leave rhe bench in place and simply life the metal top off when you want/need to work on the wood surface.
Happy to see you save this bench... l worked in a restaurant , in the garage in the back was one of these benchs, it was always cool to go back there and use the "shop" . Would love to be able to grab one now that l have a house and a garage... great work , thank you.
Beautiful job. Way more work than I have time for though. My only suggestion is all four casters to be swivel. You even had a prime example in the video. You had to lift the fixed end to get it out. That will be way to hard when it's in use and full. Ask me how I know😉 I switched the fixed casters to swivel and life is better. A little harder to roll straight but way more maneuverable.
Over three summers, I had to find another desk for a teacher in the workshop. More areas were being used for academic rather than practical lessons. Every year someone had got a brand new modular desk and the old worn beat up desk was being tossed. Mostly particle board construction with a veneer, I have new life to those desks with four coats of satin yacht varnish. Each coat was rubbed down and the finish was great. Thank you for this video. I have an old workbench in the garage I need to update…
Great result! The only thing is the undersite of the table... I know it probably won't be seen much but if it were also cleaned the restoration would have been perfect 🙊😄
For those that don't know, LISTA is a superior product and worth restoring. Brand new, they are not cheap; look 'em up. Those draws are 100% accessible, i.e., they can be rolled all the way out. You should have put the LISTA label back on.
Well, not the way I'd have done it, but I'm glad you put it back into service and kept it out of the landfill. A workbench that nice doesn't deserve to go to the trash like so many people would have.
nice job, what i would have done differently for myself thos is chosen another colour for it seanse the red "screams" a little to much for me. and would have removed all paint before painting it, and chosen either a new blue coat or a gray colour but thats just me and we all like things different. hope you will have good use of it for many years to come
I felt like a kid again watching this, it was like no time had passed. Like watching my dad fix stuff. Oh, I'm a middle-aged computer guy now. Truth or Dare: did you paint it red because you had the red wheels lying around? Thanks again.
Great job on the restoration....but I would have treated both sides of the metal top for protection! I would love to have a work bench like that! I haven't seen any like it up here in Canada!
I struggled with this one, the end result was a bench that looked pretty much brand new. However, its a work bench, its supposed to look beat hell. Give it a wash, beat the bad dints out of it and re-glue the top. Job done
Well I think the convertible metal top is cool it does mean you cannot put a vise on the table. I would have left an eight or ten inch strip on one side of the table either wood or metal so a vise could be attached.
Fantastic job. I don't remember him asking to use my tools. If he asked, I would have suggested bench dog holes. Maybe he will be asking to borrow my mag drill for the holes. Great job 🤣👍👍
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As a woodworker, all I could think was “man I wish I could run the top through my planer before he glued it back together. Could have saved this man hours of sanding.” 😮💨
I found one of these old benchtops and am restoring it. Mine was bowed so I cut it in 4 sections with a track saw, then jointed and planed it, and re-glued the pieces. It's dead flat now. My wife doesn't know it yet, but it's going to become her new desk/workspace in her office.
I thought he would have used dowels to keep it aligned.
It didn't take him hours using the belt sander she had. Also, a planer reduces thickness, he more than likely would have still sanded in some capacity.
A run trough the planer, a smooth sanding and then some very high temperature resistant epoxy.
I was thinking the same thing. Or better yet just coat it with epoxy that can take 3000 f temperature the kind you use on kitchen counter tops. I belive the years in a work environment add charter to it.
I’ve worked in a manufacturing environment for nearly 20 years and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to get my hands on one of these old lista benches lol. Nice work, now i need to try harder when i get the chance again. Nice work 👍
Find your local military base 'DRMO' auction site. These things are all over the military and are always collapsing/failing. You can pick them up cheap, especially the folded up ones that need restoration like this one.
I dont think you have really seen an old beat up workbench 😅👍
@meepmeep true
@The Dusty Shed hell yeah I did. Still works fine. It ain't pretty though. But it's made for work and not looks. I bought a palm sander to sand down the workbench. Its got some nasty splinters and needs cleaned up. I've had it for several years now. Need new wheels too.
@Ryan Bond Nice score. They are great benches and the drawer slides beat anything out there today.
The steel top is a nice add on . The wood glue is stronger than the wood itself, biscuits or dowels help with alignment and that's about it. If the glue fails in your lifetime, you'll be glad you didn't use either of those. As for wood finish, you did well, any product will need to be touched up or redone in time. Solvent finishes do make the wood look nicer, water based polyurethanes hold up very well and are easy to reapply when needed. The only other upgrade I'd see as useful is a back panel to increase rigidity in the long run. Nuts and bolts will loosen over time and use. I had a metal cart that had nuts, bolts, lock washers. As a job-site cart it got moved frequently, it always needed tightening. Solution, tightened them all one last time, welded every joint and lap, removed nuts and bolts.
@Seek Him with all your heart and you will find Him Remember that Jesus worked as a carpenter, skilled at working productively with his hands, as part of his preparation for his ministry.
Repent to Jesus Christ
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
K
Very nice! Your restoration was spot-on! I would have cut the metal bench surface in half and hinged each piece so I could have dual work surfaces if I wanted, but that's just a preference thing. Otherwise this looked incredible!
That work bench is too beautiful to work on!! Great restoration!!
I enjoyed the entire video, but the creation of your custom emblem was awesome. I didn't realize it was that "easy".
I was kind of partial to the beat up wood block. The new, sanded, and varnished slab looks nice, but the old surface had more character. Either way, nice work.
I really enjoyed your restoration. I am into manufacturing new machinery but watching old stuff being restored have a special place in my heart.
From a wood working perspective it would have been best to use biscuits or dowels to join the split pieces back together and then 3 coats of oil based polyurethane but that's just my opinion though, it turned out really great.
@Dylan S most people don't own them.
Should have ran them through the planer and jointer while they where split to save on all that sanding!! But maybe he doesn’t own those tools
Biscuits and dowels don't do anything structurally, the glue does the heavy lifting, you only strengthen the joints with Dominoes/tongue and groove/mortises/screws but there's no need
@Riley‘s Woodcraft Not needed. Use clamps.
@fire surfer the biscuits would be to help align the pieces
Could you give more information on those liquids used to prep and rust preservation of the steel sheet? Great video
Looks great, nice job on the restoration. It would be nice to know what products you're using for those of us, not in the know? Keep up the great work.
Now THAT'S a workbench! I'm so jealous :O Amazing work you done a wonderful job! Looking forward to seeing it in action in future videos :)
Repent to Jesus Christ
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 NIV
WOW! This was so satisfying to watch you redo the whole work bench to its original look. I found it so satisfying...beautiful top...the final touch was the castors. Thank you for sharing this...enjoyed the video very much.
Nice finished project. A good bench to start with and reasonably well cared for. Other than the top, little damage. Looks good finished.
I have an old lista machinists tool box with the butcher block top and 4 HD casters, the box was probably 20+ years old when I got it and that was 1998, I gave it to my son several years ago (he is a Chrysler Mechanic) but the box could use a good restoration now. Great job you did on the work table.
This was a fun watch - I especially enjoyed the dent repairs and reinforced bolt holes. But that hinged top... So wherever you put this thing you'll need to keep the wall totally clear behind it if you ever plan to fold it up - and not cover outlets like where you have it now. And you'll have to figure out how to keep it up while you're working and jiggling the table so it doesn't come slamming back down on you. I was hoping to see some planer magic on that wood top. lol!
Well that turned out gorgeous. Expected nothing less. Great job 👍👌
Great restoration truly. I really hate the red and wish you would have gone back to a newer shade of blue but that's a personal preference. Good stuff
Great work! There’s nothing more satisfying than doing these types of restoration projects imo… man I gotta get me some of those tools 😂
You might wish to check that bottom drawer again. It seems as if it has sagged and it's hitting the bottom of the cabinet as you push it in. It's probably the metal bars that ride on the bearings that are bend upwards a bit.
Beautiful job. Somebody mentioned they would have made the metal top hinged in two places. I would have done that too. Just my personal preference as well. Great work.
Nice bench buddy...Im thinking what about fitting the steel top hinges at the front so it acts as a locking plate over the drawers etc...just another take on it, also the hinged steel top back is useful as you could lift it up against a wall and lock in place then you have a splashback or debris barrier...I like stuff that we can multi function...old pieces like this play very well to that...🤟🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Just an idea to consider. Your refinished benchtop is beautiful. I find that within weeks of all that work, my benchtop is looked pretty haggard. I put a sheet of 1/4 inch plywood on my benchtop with a few countersunk screws. When it becomes covered with glue, paint stains, beat up, etc. I can simply change the plywood and have a new benchtop. I then do not have to refinish my benchtop nearly as often. It nearly always stays presentable. Just a thought. A little more difficult if you have benchdog holes or certain vices, but something to consider.
Well done. It looks great. I’d love to get my hands on one of these old benches.
Excellent job! That bench looks amazing
That was a remarkable restoration. It was super satisfying to watch that belt sander grind that wood surface clean again. The surface turned out perfect and the paint job looks really good! That was cool how you made a metal surface that you can put on and that you put a nice bluing on it as well!! You did a perfect job start to finish! Great video!
The timber surface was nice before he burnt it welding the hinges on.
Amazing work!!! Would love to see you show it off a little more in the end 🙌🙌 You deserve it!
I did something similar back in the day. When you start to reassemble it much easier to do upside down. Place top on the floor with bottom facing upward. You’re not fighting gravity that way. Very nice work, really like the castors!👍🔥
big brain time
Walnut draw frts would look good.
As for the metal top, if the hinges were installed on the underside of the top and you added strips to lift it off the wood top you could weld on it provided you did something to keep the heat off the wood top and had plenty of support parts then you could fold it up on the wall as a back splash. Pick a wood color you like but it can be thin its just a layer over the metal.
Looks like my dad's bench in the basement when I was a kid. Same color. Don't know if it's the same thing, very similar. Always nice to see one brought back. You can always use a good, strong bench. 👍
Surprised you didn't replace the lock. Can't imagine it would be too difficult to adapt a newer cylinder to it.
Love the size of this bench and man that gorgeous work top. Wow
Beautiful & solid restoration! That bench will last forever.👍👍👊
Great job with the refurbishment and upgrades. I love the red casters. Happy making.
Incredible restoration, awesome bench, I like the metal top .
I loved the blue paint and was so sad to see it get sanded and powerwashed off - I'm so glad you repainted the metal parts red!!
Very nice resto job. I'm sure it will give you many years of good use.
Beautifully done,love the red color.
You do good work. Very nice job!
Verly nicely done. Makes me think its time to clean up my bench.
I got one one of those Lista benches out of my Mother-in-Law's garage! Might have to add a restoration project to my to-do list after this! Beautiful work.
I dig the color change from blue to red!
Great job!
While a workbench by nature is supposed to take a beating, still, at some point, they get to the point of "ya know what, workbench? You deserve better!" Great restoration, great modifications!
I love the look of a used wood surface. Nice end result either way though!
Excellent work! I hope we get to see a restoration on that Beverly sheer you've got there some day
Very well done. When did you use to make the name plates?
The metal work is very impressive 👍
Such a good work. Thank you so much for sharing your restoration. Love the stainless steel cover …great idea.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Nice job. I like the top, personally I would have done the drawers black with the rest red. Especially with the metal top. Brilliant job!
Nice, very nice, love watching your work, it’s always so good!
Lista is top end stuff, really built to last.
When putting it together, I find the easiest way is to lay the top on the floor face down (on top of protection) and assemble the legs that way. Saves working from underneath.
Then just turn the whole thing over. Would also save jacking up the drawer cabinet.
Brilliant idea with the steel top, hinged as well!
Good restoration though, great to watch.
Looks good. I would attach a magnet or two on the wall so you can leave rhe bench in place and simply life the metal top off when you want/need to work on the wood surface.
Nice project 👍 turned out pretty cool. Well done
Happy to see you save this bench... l worked in a restaurant , in the garage in the back was one of these benchs, it was always cool to go back there and use the "shop" . Would love to be able to grab one now that l have a house and a garage... great work , thank you.
Just the right amount of restoration. It doesn't need to be perfect, just functional and presentable.
Very nice restoration
Nice touch adding the casters and steel top with hinges.
I love the idea of a wood/steel top. I'm gonna do that to my workbench. 👍👍
Nice work! It's a great bench.
Aqui no Brasil gostamos muito do seus vídeos
could you explain the finishing process you did for the tabletop? what grit sandpaper you used, what stain/coat etc. beautiful job!
Beautiful job. Way more work than I have time for though. My only suggestion is all four casters to be swivel. You even had a prime example in the video. You had to lift the fixed end to get it out. That will be way to hard when it's in use and full. Ask me how I know😉 I switched the fixed casters to swivel and life is better. A little harder to roll straight but way more maneuverable.
Over three summers, I had to find another desk for a teacher in the workshop. More areas were being used for academic rather than practical lessons. Every year someone had got a brand new modular desk and the old worn beat up desk was being tossed.
Mostly particle board construction with a veneer, I have new life to those desks with four coats of satin yacht varnish. Each coat was rubbed down and the finish was great.
Thank you for this video. I have an old workbench in the garage I need to update…
Beautifully done!
awesome work !!! o love the color, the wood, all is so perfect!
Wood is such a cool medium to work with, all new just a few 32nd's below the surface. Nice job.
Really like that you restore and not modify into something I wasn't meant to be!
Great result! The only thing is the undersite of the table... I know it probably won't be seen much but if it were also cleaned the restoration would have been perfect 🙊😄
Totally agree with you. The way he did it its only done halfway. The details is what matters
For those that don't know, LISTA is a superior product and worth restoring. Brand new, they are not cheap; look 'em up. Those draws are 100% accessible, i.e., they can be rolled all the way out. You should have put the LISTA label back on.
There is something really satisfying for me watching things look new again. I’m thinking of starting a business doing this.
And a youtube channel please. These type of videos never get old
Finally somebody restoring something gigantic that isnt a vehicle or random stuff and that can genuinely be used for actual work/projects
Pretty good restoration, only thing I think is lacking is the paint job.. seems like that spray paint would chip and not be too durable.
Well done! Nice touch with the metal top👌
Well, not the way I'd have done it, but I'm glad you put it back into service and kept it out of the landfill. A workbench that nice doesn't deserve to go to the trash like so many people would have.
nice job, what i would have done differently for myself thos is chosen another colour for it seanse the red "screams" a little to much for me. and would have removed all paint before painting it, and chosen either a new blue coat or a gray colour but thats just me and we all like things different. hope you will have good use of it for many years to come
Love the result. A couple of things. Why not replace the lock and I would have painted it to match your lathe.
2:22 Good chance to use biscuit joinery.
Nice restoration. Don't really understand the metal sheet. What holds it up when raised?
I felt like a kid again watching this, it was like no time had passed. Like watching my dad fix stuff. Oh, I'm a middle-aged computer guy now. Truth or Dare: did you paint it red because you had the red wheels lying around? Thanks again.
It matches all the other red toolboxes and vehicle lift. Thanks!
Love it. Nice job. Only saw one paint run but hey. Gives it character if you ask me.
Great job on the restoration....but I would have treated both sides of the metal top for protection! I would love to have a work bench like that! I haven't seen any like it up here in Canada!
They are made by a company called Lista.
You need to checkout abandoned warehouses, i see them all the time
Love it. I haven't bought a bench like that because they never looked sturdy, but yours seems really solid. Great job
Those lista workbenches and cabinets are tough as nails. Better than the Snap-on boxes even.
My guess is the rounded holes were the cause of the play... Reinforced is a good job too!
That thing has some great bones. I prefer the original blue. To each His own. Great job
Great job! Thanks for sharing.
What an awesome old workbench
you should weld a little handle on the side that can latch to a hook on the wall when you want to lift the metal part and keep it from falling on you.
Loved it!!! It is exactly what I want to do
Watched this ages ago but had to come back again as I found it so worth while. Thanks dude
I struggled with this one, the end result was a bench that looked pretty much brand new. However, its a work bench, its supposed to look beat hell. Give it a wash, beat the bad dints out of it and re-glue the top. Job done
Muito top 😎👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
You should replace at least one caster on each side with a foot pedal lock caster so the bench can be locked in place and won't roll about.
Extremely nice work!
Came out great! Let us know how long it takes until one of the corners of that steel bites you 😁
Nice job, and that was a lot of work!
Would love to build a sewing room around that table.
That wood too looks amazing!
i would like to have that kind of working bench...good job their..thanks for the video.
my favourite part of this: why not both?! amazing video bro thank you
great outcome. I'm sure you looking forward to using that beauty in you future projects
Well I think the convertible metal top is cool it does mean you cannot put a vise on the table. I would have left an eight or ten inch strip on one side of the table either wood or metal so a vise could be attached.
Nice job. Looks like a show piece. Almost too nice to use. Thanks for the video.
Fantastic job.
I don't remember him asking to use my tools.
If he asked, I would have suggested bench dog holes.
Maybe he will be asking to borrow my mag drill for the holes.
Great job 🤣👍👍
Awesome restoration. I am about to start a similar projec , not Lista but very similar blue metal frame and 2.25" dirty, greasy maple surface
Awesome. I'm sure it will turn out great