Need Help With Material Selection

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:19 am

You didn't say what it is sitting on, wood or concrete.

MDF would be my choice. First MDF doesn't soak up moisture any more than other wood and in some cases less especially if it is painted or coated in some way. Second for price you will be getting the biggest bang for a buck if you use MDF. After all is is just a cubby hole storage unit.

Now when I say MDF I mean MDF not particle board.

If you were setting this on concrete you need to use treated wood.
Rule of thumb any wood that comes into contact with concrete must ALWAYS be treated wood.

To satisfy the above and still use MDF or PLY you will need to use treated wood furring strips to build this on. Or you could also make the bottom board all presure treated ply.

After that build up using MDF and give it a good coat of paint, clear finisher (Varnish, lacquer, shellac, Poly) or a good good coating of oil
(tung or boiled linseed) and everything should be find.

If I was building it from either ply or MDF I would be tempted to make the outside verticals from 5/8 or 3/4 the rest since you don't have any shelf span wide enough to cause sag I would do in 1/2 to give you more room and an attractive proportional appearance. Building it all from 5/8 or 3/4 works but you are using a lot of room up plus it is liable to look overbuilt (read as saying clunky)

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:21 pm

After 4 sheets of plywood, 360 dadoes and 129 rabbets, I finally finished Phase I (carcus and first round of bins). I took the advice of some of the replies (thanks to all who replied) and this is what I came up with.

Two more sheets of plywood, 208 dadoes, and 112 rabbets to go!

[ATTACH]13245[/ATTACH]

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:51 pm

It looks as though phase I has concluded on an up note. At least Meow seems to approve.

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:03 pm

Looks great! I really like the colors you chose!

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:34 pm

Really good work!!!!! One can see the straight lines and level shelves and know this is fine workmanship. You did your planning and milling with a lot of forethought. Also the drawer/box fronts show your planning and patience.

Congratulations! Mountain......

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:23 pm

Impressive.

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:22 am

Sweet I may have to make me up some of those cubbies. Very nice work indeed!

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Sat Jun 04, 2011 3:43 pm

Underdog wrote:Looks great! I really like the colors you chose!

Yeah, me too. I was trying to decide what colors to use so I looked around my garage and saw my old Craftsman toolbox - gray with red drawers - decision made!

jimsjinx · Post by **jimsjinx** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 9:13 am

Only because I am jealous, I must hate you now! Just kidding! I have wanted to do a similar project, but just haven't taken the time and $$ to do it. VERY nice job!! jimsjinx

swampgator · Post by **swampgator** » Sun Jun 05, 2011 11:30 pm

Very nice plan, execution and colors. Great job!

Shopsmith Forums

Need Help With Material Selection

Phase I Complete

Exellent job!!