Shopsmith Forums

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.


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.


Model #3 - Here is the Lower Base Cabinet and the basic face frame with added stiles for double drawers and double doors


Model #4 - Here is the Lower Base Cabinet and the basic face frame with added rails for 2 additional deeper drawers

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

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!

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. 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. 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. 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. The inset cabinet doors below were replaced in favor of the whiteboard doors.

Very nice!

Mike

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

Nice Job!

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.

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.

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.

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.