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parts drawer cabinet

royce

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fairbanks ak
I am picking up a gob of 3"x6"x17"equipto drawers this week and need to build a cabinet.
I drew it up with a angle iron frame and it came to over 180 pieces.
That is a lot of cuts, fiddly fits and welds.
I have a few spare sheets of plywood and think I'll try it in wood.
First step is build a crosscut,dado and box joint sleds for the table saw.
 
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machsnell

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Awesome - from the dude that built the badass fish stove. Can't wait to see what you build. Lots of pics please.

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royce

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I thought it would be fun to build this cabinet frameless, so here is the first box joint I ever cut.
It was a little fussy getting the clearance just so, but once set up, rock and roll.
Royce
 

tarbellb

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Very cool, looking forward to the updates.

Btw, what kind of ply is that? Seems like a paperbacked 7ply? Any info.
 

53Sparky

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I haven't heard that plywood called Form Plywood before. Our supplier calls it MDO - Medium Density Overlay. It has a finish like MDF but more of the strength characteristics of Plywood.

PS. A little steel wool and some WD-40 will bring that table saw surface back, Royce. Nice job on the box joint.
 
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royce

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Awesome - from the dude that built the badass fish stove. Can't wait to see what you build. Lots of pics please.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Thanks and will do
Headed to the big town to pick up the drawers in the morning
Royce
 
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royce

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I haven't heard that plywood called Form Plywood before. Our supplier calls it MDO - Medium Density Overlay. It has a finish like MDF but more of the strength characteristics of Plywood.

PS. A little steel wool and some WD-40 will bring that table saw surface back, Royce. Nice job on the box joint.

Sparky,
While this plywood looks like MDO, it is made for concrete forms.
That poor table saw lives a hard life, a lot of it outdoors.
Now that I have a place indoors for it, I may just dress it one more time!!
Thanks
Royce
 

53Sparky

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I learn something every day - no guarantees I'll remember any of it tomorrow, though.

Thanks, Royce!


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royce

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fairbanks ak
Just got back from Anchorage with 85 drawers.
Should get started building the cabinet on saturday.
 
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royce

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fairbanks ak
Spent the morning cutting the box joints on the back and sides.
The jig I made worked fine on a 6" test piece, but is too tight on these 62" pieces.
So I guess I'll run them through again for a little more clearance.
Just came in for lunch before I did something rash!
 
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royce

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fairbanks ak
Got the dados cut in the sides for the shelves and the sides glued to the back.
I'll start putting in shelves and dividers in the morning.
 

dogzbody1

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May 2, 2015
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Long Island, NY
Awesome!
What a great project!
All the better that you created the frame yourself.
A perfect mix of wood and metal.
Thanks for sharing
 
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royce

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fairbanks ak
Awesome!
What a great project!
All the better that you created the frame yourself.
A perfect mix of wood and metal.
Thanks for sharing

Thanks dogz,
Progress as of lunch time:
Dado's cut in shelves,
Dividers milled,
Dry fit shelves and dividers.
I should get the shelves glued in today. [/URL[URL=http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/oyster9/media/Boat%20shack/IMG_0060.jpg.html] [/URL[URL=http://s1212.photobucket.com/user/oyster9/media/Boat%20shack/IMG_0061.jpg.html]
 

drivesitfar

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Royce: I have those metal drawers in a metal framed cabinet and I personally think yours look a lot better. nice design and this cabinet is going to be stout. :bowdown:

keep posting pictures as you have time.
 

Strouty

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Southern Maine
This will be much nicer than the metal frames, mine sag and sometimes the drawers get stuck as they have no true divide. I like it a lot and thanks for sharing.
 
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Strouty

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There are a couple style frames, the ones that are like a stand alone shelving unit do not really have this trouble. The ones that are designed to set on a bench or shelf will sag, at least every one that I have owned did/does.
 
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royce

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Royce: I have those metal drawers in a metal framed cabinet and I personally think yours look a lot better. nice design and this cabinet is going to be stout. :bowdown:

keep posting pictures as you have time.

I debated making this out of wood or steel and pretty sure I could do it twice as fast with steel but I'm glad I went with wood.
I think I'm a little handier with a gas axe and welder than a tablesaw and claw hammer, so anytime I can gather experience with wood I like it.
Thanks much
Royce
 

drivesitfar

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Royce: I'm getting more jealous with every board you glue into place. WELL DONE SIR.

i'm curious how you ended up with all the drawers that usually come with a metal cabinet? also are you planning on making the dividers and can you share how you make them because I have 5 of these metal 18 drawer units in metal and could use some dividers. if your drawers are not new they sure look that way.

I know it's hard to work and take lots of pictures so keep doing the best you can and I don't think there is such a thing as TOO many pictures so take a lot and post them as you have time and can.

thanks
 

CNGsaves

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Wow, that thing is going to be a BEAST when finished !! :thumbup:

With that much plywood, along with weight of drawers when full of metal bolts, pretty sure a TORNADO would just leave that cabinet . . . even if it took the rest of the shop !!! ;)

That is some serious plywood . . .maybe 5 ply or more . . and 3/4 inch. TOUGH !!

Do drawers just sit on the wood or do they have slides ??
 
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royce

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Royce: I'm getting more jealous with every board you glue into place. WELL DONE SIR.

i'm curious how you ended up with all the drawers that usually come with a metal cabinet? also are you planning on making the dividers and can you share how you make them because I have 5 of these metal 18 drawer units in metal and could use some dividers. if your drawers are not new they sure look that way.

I know it's hard to work and take lots of pictures so keep doing the best you can and I don't think there is such a thing as TOO many pictures so take a lot and post them as you have time and can.

thanks
Thanks drivesitfar,
I got these drawers from a government liquidation auction, they were surplus from the air base in Anchorage.
Yes, they are new and there was no cabinet in the sale.
After the snow melts I,ll see if I have any stock for dividers and shear them with double cuts.
Royce
 
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royce

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fairbanks ak
Wow, that thing is going to be a BEAST when finished !! :thumbup:

With that much plywood, along with weight of drawers when full of metal bolts, pretty sure a TORNADO would just leave that cabinet . . . even if it took the rest of the shop !!! ;)

That is some serious plywood . . .maybe 5 ply or more . . and 3/4 inch. TOUGH !!

Do drawers just sit on the wood or do they have slides ??
Thanks CNG,
Plenty stout, alright.
No slides, I thought would wax the wood to break the friction.
Royce
 
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royce

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fairbanks ak
Got home this afternoon and had to load some drawers in, just to see.
Maybe after dinner I'll get some more dividers glued up.
 
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royce

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fairbanks ak
That my friend is just freaking nifty. Needs labels when it's done. Wow I can't stop saying nifty...

Pelican,
With 78 drawers in this cabinet, it would be a deluxe easter egg hunt without labels!
I'm with you on the labels.
Thanks for the nifty compliment.
Royce
 
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royce

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fairbanks ak
Got the top, bottom and the rest of the dividers and doublers glued up.
Also ripped and rounded over the face boards.
Next up, cut the face boards to length, then glue and screw them on.
 

southalabama

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Jan 10, 2011
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Brewton AL
Awesome job.

When I was a kid dad and his friend were working in the shop. I recall him saying you can never have too many clamps.

This project proves that point.
 

drivesitfar

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Royce: I bet that cabinet is getting close to weighing 200 pounds empty. WELL DONE and keep posting more pictures as you have time to.

you might want to make a plan on how to move it into it's permanent place soon before it gets too heavy.

HAPPY EASTER
 
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