I have been debating with myself over which cabinet system to go with for my garage workshop, and ultimately decided on the NewAge Pro 3 series of welded cabinets in white and gray.
I started eyeing this series a few months ago, and although my plans kept going in different directions, I often returned to the NewAge Pro series.
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I decided that I only needed wall cabinets, and I ordered 5 of them (with cash money).
At around the same time, I found myself curious about what the other NewAge Pro cabinets were like. My plans for floor cabinets are strongly headed in a Lista direction, but there was still an editorial interest in NewAge’s other Pro cabinet offerings.
I spoke to our friends at Home Depot, and arrangements were made for a review sample package that included some of NewAge Pro’s other garage cabinet offerings.
(We have partnered up with Home Depot for upcoming projects and special reviews, more on this another time.)
And so in my hands now are 5 paid-for NewAge Pro wall cabinets, and 3 more that came with a review sample arrangement. Plus 1 more that’s damaged.
Home Depot offers all NewAge Pro cabinets individually, and in money-saving sets. Some of their occasional deals are quite good.
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Delivery and Initial Inspection
When the 5 cabinets came in, they arrived via UPS. Some have minor cosmetic imperfections on the inside lip, where the doors’ magnetic closures rubbed during transport. One arrived with a busted door and bashed corner. NewAge Pro sent me a prompt replacement and some touch-up paint at my request.
They apply some clear tape over the inner lips for protection, but I suppose my cabinets went through very rough transport.
Also, the adjustable shelves in the first 5 units were all dislodged, a not too easy feat. The replacement had everything in place – the shelf installed and with a block of styrofoam placed between the shelf and top of the cabinet to hold it in place. The first 5 cabinets also had styrofoam, but it had moved from where it was wedged in.
This didn’t cause any damage, it’s to show that the cabinets must have went through a very rough ride.
Lukily, plenty of cardboard and styrofoam protect the boxes’ outsides. The parts that show are perfect.
I’ll have to adjust the hinges on 2 of the cabinets. The doors close, but the alignment isn’t perfect, with some very slight rubbing.
When you order wall cabinets as part of a set, they’re shipped inside tall “locker” style cabinets. This gives them a little more protection, but I wouldn’t hesitate to order more wall cabinets individually.
Installation
3 of the wall cabinets are now up! The cabinets have a 3-part install process.
Step 1: Mount the wall hangers to studs.
Step 2: Attach the cabinets together.
Step 3: Mount the cabinets to the wall.
I suppose steps 2 and 3 can be interchanged, but I wanted the cabinets together before I fixed them to the wall.
The cabinets come with lag screws, and the manual doesn’t say anything about pilot holes or pre-drilling. I drilled pilot-holes anyways.
You can view the instructions here (PDF). (I love how Home Depot links to the user manual on their product pages for the cabinets!)
My alignment wasn’t perfect, but it worked out.
I think that I might pick up some self-drilling lag screws to install the rest of the wall cabinets. The included hardware can drive straight into a stud without splitting – I tried it on some scrap material – but it’s easier if there’s a pilot hole to follow.
I might have to pick up some more lag screws anyways – a few were a hair too big to fit a 7/16″ socket or nut driver.
I had to shift the cabinets over a little bit, as I wanted the cabinets across 6 studs. The manual mentions that you might not hit 2 studs with every cabinet, and it’s okay as long as that cabinet is secured to another one that is.
I’ll need to do some touching up – I scrapped some paint and drywall paper. Some of the damage is hidden behind the cabinets, but there’s a section now exposed after shifting everything over 3″ to get the leftmost cabinet over a second stud.
It’s going to be easier to install the cabinets if there’s an extra set of hands. With a helper, I might not have scraped up the wall so much with the cabinet corners.
First Impression
I’m liking these cabinets a lot so far. They seem very sturdy, and the price point is very good.
Mounting the cabinets to the wall was easy, getting them perfectly aligned takes a little more time. The mounting hangers makes things a lot easier, and there are also brackets you could use for mounting to slatwall.
The doors might annoy me. Pulling open the left door pulls along the right door with it. But the door pull can be removed and modified if it ever becomes a big annoyance.
The hinges are soft-close, and open and close nicely. There are keyed locks, but I haven’t tried them yet.
The cabinets are made from 18 gauge steel for the frames, and 19 gauge for the double-wall doors. They measure 22″ tall x 28″ wide x 14″ deep. Add another 1-1/2″ if the included light valence is installed. (Undermount lighting strips are not included.)
This contributed a lot to my purchasing decision – the cabinets are made from fairly thick sheet metal, and they’re large enough to be useful, but not too large and controlling of the space.
I like these cabinets a lot more than my Gladiator ready to assemble cabinet that I took down 2 moves ago and haven’t yet retrieved from storage. They mount a little easier, look a lot better, and I like the sizing more.
I mounted the top of the cabinets (and hangers) at 82″. They recommend 80″ if you want them aligned with wall lockers. I have a review sample wall locker near these wall cabinets, and it stands at around 84″ with feet installed..
I figure that cabinets or mobile workbenches below the cabinets might have a height of 38″. With the cabinets mounted at 82″, I’ll have 22″ of spacing. 20.5″ if the light valence is installed.
If a 36″ cabinet height, the spacing becomes 24″ with and 22.5″ without valence installed.
I could place some stuff on top of the cabinets, or install some kind of rack if there will be heavier loads. (The cabinets can hold 100 lbs per shelf for 200 lbs total. The top is not rated.)
I could have mounted the cabinets a little higher, but I think having the top at 82″ is at the limit of what’s conveniently reachable.
I have more installing to do, but wanted to get my initial thoughts and experiences down on paper first. It’ll take some time for me to be sure, but if asked now I’d say that yes, I would definitely buy these again.
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
There are 3 color choices – charcoal gray, deep red, and platinum. The charcoal gray and red colors have black or dark gray frames, the platinum color has a white frame.
5 of the cabinets were paid for by me, Home Depot and NewAge provided 3 more as part of a review sample package.
Nathan
Is it my imagination or is cost not mentioned in the article? last time I looked just the standard short cabinet was some 200 dollars. What do these offer that a standard wood cabinet doesn’t offer. If someone was to make one plain and undecorated – painted.
Other than being metal. I don’t really get the appeal – OK so it looks like your roll around – and some 1000 dollars later you have metal cabinets on a wall of your garage or shop. I do look forward to the article in more depth as I oft wonder why they would be worth the price – vs a basic cabinet.
Side note – where are these made
Stuart
Sorry, this was more of a mind-dump precursor to a full review. I didn’t leave things out intentionally.
The price ranges from $100 to $200 per cabinet, depending on whether you buy them on sale, or as part of a bundle.
I debated between Ikea kitchen cabinets, DIY plywood cabinets, and metal cabinets.
The biggest benefit of these metal cabinets is that they’re very durable and less susceptible to temperature swings and moisture.
Jon
And if your looking for cheap wood cabinets with doors that will warp and generally look cheap , have at it. My new age set all in was 5 grand. The money is not the issue, it’s the value received and for 14 cabinets total and a bamboo work bench the value and quality is high. If your fixed on cost alone, your looking at the wrong product.
Tobin
5k? Wow! Thanks a lot of $$ for garage cabinets.
Brian
If your a member of Costco, watch the web site, I picked up a 5 pack of these for 500 dollars (100 dollars each) and am also satisfied with the purchase. At 200 dollars I feel they would be over priced, but they are a got value in the 100 -125 range.
RedShirt
Sorry it it’s not too late, here’s the costco 5-piece set:
https://www.costco.com/NewAge-Products-Bold-3.0-Series-5-piece-Set.product.100327654.html
Stuart
That’s the “Bold” set, which is lower spec’ed compared to the Pro Series.
Stuart
https://www.costco.com/NewAge-Products-Pro-3.0-Series-5-piece-Wall-Cabinet-Set.product.100327718.html
I don’t think I’ve seen a better wall cabinet for the money.
$100 each gets you a LOT.
They’re individually $200 each, $160 or so on sale at HD, and at varying price points when bought as part of a set.
I agree that $200 is a little much, but I also haven’t seen $200 cabinets that offer more.
Jonathan
@Stuart how is the rigidness and metal thickness compared to your older Gladiator. I’ve got one Gladitor cabinet that I use to store my flammable items in the garage (solvents, thinners, etc.). If I recall it came with a french cleat type wall hanger which made mounting easy but its also older 8-10 years old.
Stuart
The Gladiator was capable, but I was always leary about overloading it. That was a ready to assemble unit, and I remember running into some kind of issue with the fit.
A quick search tells me the load rating on the Gladiator is up to 40 lbs per shelf, or 150 lbs per cabinet. The NewAge Pro is 100 lbs per shelf for 200 lbs total.
It too has a french cleat type hanger that works with their Geartrack.
These cabinets are a little deeper, and the doors are sturdier. I don’t have the Gladiator near me, but I’m sure it’s of thinner gauge.
At $100 for this, vs. $100 for the welded Gladiator cabinet that was on sale (price mistake?) at Sears a few months ago (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/sears-craftsman-holiday-tool-deals-haul-2016/%3C/a%3E%29, I think I’d still go for these.
The fit of the doors is a little imperfect, but I feel that these wall cabinets are more rigid than Gladiator.
(The NewAge tall “locker” cabinet is a little less rigid until mounted and loaded. )
I think these NewAge Pro cabinets are a better size – 28″ x 22″ x 14″ deep, vs. 30″ x 30″ x 12″ for the welded Gladiator cabinets.
Jonathan
Thanks, sounds like they are better deal , I may actually end up going with NewAge in the SS finish.
Robert
I built/ing my own set of garage cabinets. MDF cases and doors with some hardwood stiffeners on the back upper and lower.
My first set came out absolutely flawless and I cant believe my own eyes. I took my time and primered/painted them when done. I learned the other day when painting MDF to use some drywall spackle on the edges before painting and it’ll look ten times better.
Two 24″W by 34″T cabinets and doors from one sheet of MDF $30.
4-Soft close Hinges $48.
2-Handles $4
Great thing is I can build them to custom size to fit my needs. And It’s a blast to build.
Stuart
I’m not a fan of MDF – it can sag over time if not well supported. Sounds like you’re aware of that, by using a hardwood stiffener.
Agreed about sealing edges – it’ll soak in everything otherwise.
When all is said and done, I’d love to see what your cabinets look like!
Paul K
3/4″ MDF is infinitely stiffer than 1/2″. I’ve built a lot of shelving out it. When glued together, shelves glued in place on three sides, no sagging. I’m looking at a 4′ x 18″ section right now that’s had about 50lbs of stereo equipment sitting on it for 5 years and still perfectly straight. Rattle can spray paint coating and the whole thing is remarkably durable to abrasions and impacts.
That said, screwing into it, for doors for example, problematic and never inspiring of confidence.
Robert
Have to make sure and use straight shank screws. Not tapered. Also make sure to pilot drill at least 1/6″ deeper than the screw length. AND make sure to countersink for the head. This will marry the threads and MDF beautifully.
RC WARD
In what way are these better then the “Gladiator”, sounds like you don’t even want to get them out of storage,
Stuart
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/newage-pro-series-wall-cabinets-review-delivery-and-assembly/#comment-1085845%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I like the sizing better (it’s shorter and deeper), it’s sturdier, and can hold more stuff.
That Gladiator cabinet won’t go to waste – I’ll put it somewhere – but it’s not well suited for what I want above where a workbench will go. It’s a fine cabinet, but I didn’t want to buy more of the RTA cabinets, and the welded ones are too pricey without offering much more.
Jim Felt
Two things.
MDO is the best “finished” appearing and stable material for shop cabinets. MDF is barely okay for rack shelving. But, of course, it’s easier to find and cheaper.
As for New Age they’re a Canadian based Chinese sourcing importer.
Neither are bad. Just the facts.
And at this point Costco is their largest US reseller by far. Maybe one day HD?
Jim Felt
And by “best” I simply meant best value. Obviously bespoke solid wood and/or veneered plyboard would be way cooler just not as value based.
Wes
I am confused, so you are comparing a welded New Age cabinet to a Gladiator that requires assembly? That is an apples to oranges situation.
I have both the welded and assembly required Gladiator cabinets. There is a huge difference in material thickness and quality between them.
That being said for that 5 piece set from COSTCO if it is better than the Gladiator ready to assemble ones then that is a great price and likely in my future.
Neil
Did you write an article about how you arrived at this decision? I am in the midst of building my garage and I am looking to fill the wall with cabinets. I am thinking Saber but only because I saw good reviews from Obsessed Garage and Adam LZ.
Stuart
I’ve seen good feelings towards NewAge, and took a risk to buy them sight unseen. But I’ve also checked out every wall cabinet at Home Depot, Lowes, Sears, and wholesale clubs for the past few years.
The decision wasn’t quick or straight, it followed months of minor research here and there.
Neil
Stuart did you consider the Saber product and if so can you share what it lacked in comparison?
Jim Felt
Neil. Good question.
And I for one had not heard of that heavier duty import brand before.
They even have adjustable cabinet door hinges!
So thanks.
Neil
Sure I am about to order Saber but didn’t want to dismiss the new age higher end product too quickly
Dave
I too am considering both the NewAge Pro and Saber cabinets. Most reviewers seem to prefer the Saber cabinets, although they are close in quality. The Saber site has a comparison between the two that of course also favors their cabinets. Their site compares similar sets and shows that they are about the same cost, including shipping. HOWEVER, they are comparing retail pricing. If you compare actual selling prices, they aren’t even close. Saber cabinets are not discounted. NewAge cabinets are sold by both Costco and Sam’s Club, so everyone else has to sell well below retail to compete. The 2 sets that the Saber site compares retail for about $3,800 from both Saber and NewAge. However, the NewAge set can actually be had for about $2,200. That’s a big difference and should be factored into the decision.
Stuart
With the NewAge cabinets, you have to check EVERYTHING, and be prepared to accept some imperfections. I still need to contact them about 1 clunky drawer slide, and a second that has a broken rear bracket – or make my own.
But overall, they offer a lot for the money. It’s hard to get upset or small imperfections here or there when considering the value.
Kent Dresser
I’m remodling the workshop downsatirs and comparing the current New Age to Husky. Any thoughts?? Thanks!
Stuart
There are pros and cons to both. I would buy the New Age Pro again in a heartbeat.
Kent
Thanks Stuart!