Open for suggestions: adding some shelves/sink/etc to my shop.

We have an old pharmacy at my work, and we are gutting it to make a new filing room.

I have access to all kinds of shelving and cabinets, and plan on taking advantage of it

So, first thing I brought home is an L-shaped cabinet (i think that is what this would be called).

I have an old plastic sink in a corner, and it is COVERED with stuff, soaps, cleaners, brushes, etc. I figured I could put the L-shaped cabinet in that corner, cut a hole in the top, and mount another sink basin. So, I have an opportunity to do something as cool and original as I (or WE!) can come up with.

So, start throwing me ideas for what to use for a sink!!!

Yes, I know, my garage is a MESS!!! That is part of the reason for my needing storage cabinets.

I have another long straight cabinet that matches this one, but is just 8 or 10' long, same width, same construction. Might need a trailer for getting that one home. It will go to the left of the dividing wall in the first picture.

 

Make the sink deeper and put a parts washer in the corner. Make it were the drain dumps the solivent into a container and put a small pond pump in it to pump it back up. Install and on/off switch to the pump and you should be good to go.

Bobo

 

IF that's an attached garage, I wouldn't put a parts washer in it unless you can tolerate the smell of whatever solvent you use permeating the house.

 

C'mon. Back on topic guys. Just a sink. I need ideas for a sink. I don't really want to re-use this ugly plastic one.

I wash parts with soap and water, maybe the occasional brake cleaner. It goes down the drain, where it SHOULD NOT GO! But I can't help it.

 

I would look into a cheap stainless SINGLE sink(thin stampings can be had for less than 30 bucks when on sale at Menards/Home depot but are usually pretty shallow) to throw in there. A good old fashioned(usually deeper) used porcelain one will do the trick too. Whatever you do.. get the deepest one you can find to maximize the potential parts/items it may hold.

They are thrown away far more than most realize(especially considering stainless is worth cash) and salvage, remodeling jobsite dumpsters are prime candidates for finding them cheap. I've been in the remodeling industry for over 30 years now..and speak from firsthand experience here.

Good luck on the hunt.

PS. if you know a plumber?.. or are not afriad to contact a few out of the book?.. sometimes they will help you out by grabbing an old one when swapping a new one out for it.

 

Oh! I was thinking more along the lines of an old oil pan, maybe a dog-dish hubcap. Something like that.

I can cut the hole any shape/size I want. I wanted to make it original.

 

OK.. I misinterpreted the goal and that changes it then.

What about an old trash can with the bottom chopped off it? You could roll the edges after it's cut.. and seam seal the bottom to easily install a flat drain in it.

That was just off the top there and I'll put some thought into it this eve with the idea of being a bit more nostalgic and creative with simplicity and cost in mind for you.

 

How 'bout two 5.0 oil pans for a double sink. One for washing/soaking and one for rinsing/drying. The double dip pans might work well for collecting a little solvent and soaking small parts in the small dip. Would also alloy you to recover most of the solvent and not put it down the drain.

 

you guys are coming around!

I was hoping for something semi-automotive style, but also original and at the same time, useful.

Two front-sump oil pans is a good idea. Most people wouldn't know what they were, but the motorheads would get it. I could mount a single long-neck spigot between them.

Maybe an oilpan on one side, and a dog-dish hubcap on the other?

 

A dog dish hubcap isn't that big...my cat could fill one with his piss.

 

Yes, that is why there is a big question mark after the dog-dish hubcap!

I am looking for some "thing" like that, but not exactly that! I want it to be auto-related, but usable.

 

How about a metal pan used for changing oil, or an old factory ford air cleaner. Weld up a plate on the big hole and use the PCV connection for a drain???

 

Use a gas tank for a sink...Cut it in half...Top for washing...bottom for rinsing...You can get a new tank cheaper than some sinks...

 

Hmmm. I have a 10 gallon aluminum fuel cell in the attic...

 

that's not a bad idea at all. An old Moon tank would be awesome and I've even seen them turned into grills. Hard to get much more nostalgic than that.

You could even run some trim around the edge and hinge it after the top's chopped too.