Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
Moderators: HopefulSSer, admin
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
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
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
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
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
BPR
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
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!
Really, all that's really needed is a bigger shop and more wall space. and more of both!
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
-
- Gold Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:55 pm
- Location: Slaterville Springs, NY
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
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.
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.
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
Very nice!
Mike
Mike
- rjent
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 2121
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:00 pm
- Location: Hot Springs, New Mexico
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
Dstensland, that is fabulous! A lot of work, but I'll bet it was well worth it.
Nice Job!
Nice Job!
Dick
1965 Mark VII S/N 407684
1951 10 ER S/N ER 44570 -- Reborn 9/16/14
1950 10 ER S/N ER 33479 Reborn July 2016
1950 10 ER S/N ER 39671
1951 jigsaw X 2
1951 !0 ER #3 in rebuild
500, Jointer, Bsaw, Bsander, Planer
2014 Mark 7 W/Lift assist - 14 4" Jointer - DC3300
And a plethora of small stuff .....
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Benjamin Franklin
1965 Mark VII S/N 407684
1951 10 ER S/N ER 44570 -- Reborn 9/16/14
1950 10 ER S/N ER 33479 Reborn July 2016
1950 10 ER S/N ER 39671
1951 jigsaw X 2
1951 !0 ER #3 in rebuild
500, Jointer, Bsaw, Bsander, Planer
2014 Mark 7 W/Lift assist - 14 4" Jointer - DC3300
And a plethora of small stuff .....
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Benjamin Franklin
-
- Gold Member
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:55 pm
- Location: Slaterville Springs, NY
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
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.
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.
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
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.
- terrydowning
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1678
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:26 pm
- Location: Windsor, CO
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
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.
Re: Shop cabinets - drawers vs doors/shelves
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.
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.