Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

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jms
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by jms »

Thanks Bill -- I've never really used MDF and from what I read it seems like it's not something I really want in my shop or around my tools - appreciate your tip !!

So -- here is where I'm at so far. I've built a few face frame free-standing cabinets for the wife and I generally like their classic appearance. I think I'm going to go for face frame with inset drawers and doors -- I realize this will be more work than overlay style drawers and doors, but as you all have pointed out it's my cabinets and should suit my taste :-) (this style will also match our interior custom cabinets, not that it really matters).

So, after a long evening on Sketchup last night this is what I've come up with. Quick note that these are all 36" wide and 22 1/4" deep. When I add the 3/4" face frame and 1" overhang from the bench top I will have 24" depth from the wall. Carcass is all designed from 3/4" birch plywood (big box store stuff, not baltic), and face frames are soft maple which I happen to have in the shop.

Model #1 - Lower Base Cabinet -- note the dado for the bottom panel and the rabbet for the back panel. Those design elements I picked up from a cabinet-making article I read in Wood Magazine. I intend to use a combination of glue and pocket screws.
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Model #2 - Here is the Lower Base Cabinet, with a basic face frame added -- this could be used with a single drawer up top and open space below. It is also the basis for the next 2 models.
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Model #3 - Here is the Lower Base Cabinet and the basic face frame with added stiles for double drawers and double doors
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Model #4 - Here is the Lower Base Cabinet and the basic face frame with added rails for 2 additional deeper drawers
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ryanbp01
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by ryanbp01 »

I agree with Ben on the use of cabinets. One source, if you have one, is a Habitat for Humanity "ReStore". I have found many types of bargains there. I am a big fan of upcycling/recycling. It also helps them with their mission of homebuilding. You may also find some wood bargains there as well.
BPR
charlese
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by charlese »

I gave this a lot of thought in my shop. After building the "perfect"mix of doors and drawers, I have found the mix is not perfect. Hmmmm!

Really, all that's really needed is a bigger shop and more wall space. :( ;) and more of both!
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dstensland
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by dstensland »

Thought I'd share some of my efforts with you all in case they are helpful or make you think of something better.

The bench below started as a repurposed metal shelving unit. It was an experiment but I decided to keep it. The table top is a solid core door split in two. The metal frames were clad with 1/2" plywood for the doors and sides to reduce the visual clutter of having things exposed on the shelves. I still need to add rear panels on the left side.
Sawsmith_bench.jpg
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For more storage space, I made new Sawsmith drawers with 1/2" plywood. They slide very well with the help of paste wax. It's nice having the RAS accessories right there where you need them.
Sawsmith_drawers.jpg
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I adapted the drawer design into my main workbench. Again, I opted to use left over shelving steel instead of traditional drawer slides. Prior to this, the area beneath the workbench was open and prone to clutter. Now I can store things like tape or glue well within reach.
workbench_drawers.jpg
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This is my attempt at a multi-purpose wall unit. It helps organize and store small parts in removable drawers, provide additional cabinet space for other junk, and provide whiteboard space to use as needed. It's a lot of utility in a small space.
wall_cabinet_closed.jpg
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wall_cabinet_open.jpg
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The inset cabinet doors below were replaced in favor of the whiteboard doors.
wall_cabinet_drawers.jpg
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wall_cabinet_drawer.jpg
wall_cabinet_drawer.jpg (212.22 KiB) Viewed 19913 times
oldiron
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by oldiron »

Very nice!

Mike
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rjent
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by rjent »

Dstensland, that is fabulous! A lot of work, but I'll bet it was well worth it.

Nice Job!
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dstensland
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by dstensland »

Thanks guys. The wall cabinet did take some time but that's part of the fun, right? It was built using my Shopsmith 510, Sawsmith, and a small homemade CNC machine which was also made with my Shopsmith.

The payback happens every time I can quickly locate an item stored in the drawers or scrawl something onto one of the white boards. I look forward to seeing what jeremysavoy puts together and hearing how his solution works for him.
bigmoguls
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by bigmoguls »

Be careful of how deep you make your drawers, you don't want to stack up stuff in drawers, you will forget you have stuff when you can't see it.
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terrydowning
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by terrydowning »

Either are preferred over open shelves IMO. Too much dust on stuff in the storage areas. I need to make some doors and drawers. Open shelves are terrible.
bigmoguls
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Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves

Post by bigmoguls »

One more thing.

In your sketchup drawing it looks like your dados are 1/2 depth (3/8") of the panels, 1/3 depth (1/4") is sufficient.
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