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DIY tool cabinet build

CodigoRojo

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
18
So this pandemic... I got another wild hair. I needed better tool organization. Don't we all? Always?

A couple years ago I sold both my roll cabs. I knew they didn't fit my space well, but I didn't have a solution in mind. I moved my oft used tools into a small workbench toolbox thingy and my less used tools into a whole bunch of those clear plastic shoe Sterilite brand shoe boxes with the white lids. They're only like $1 apiece so it seemed a reasonable interim solution.

Not so much. Stacked up shoe boxes are NOT a good tool storage plan. Even clear ones with labels on them. Takes too long to find what you need and longer to get it out, then you need to put is away later. What a PITA.

My storage system is built around the 27 gallon Commander storage tub available at any big box store. They're 20" wide, 30" deep and 14" tall. I've got 30" pallet rack shelving that my tool box needs to fit within. So I decided on 30" depth, 40" width, and bottom modules that will slide under the lowest shelf and be as tall as two stacked plastic tubs, so 29". This also happens to be the standard desk height. The top modules will be 32"tall, which makes them fit on top of the lowest shelf of my pallet rack. And stacked they'll be around 5' tall so not too high to see inside the top drawers.

I'm building out of edge banded plywood with pocket screws and dowels. So far they're decent enough for the garage. And once done with two bottom and two top boxes, should be able to hold all my tools. And have a computer desk in between.

I'll post follow ups as I make progress. Here's what I've got so far.
 

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Jakemedic

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Messages
721
Location
Cornfields of SE Iowa
Very nice indeed! And a fellow Mac user too! Very good use of space. I have some cabinets in my future too, but got much to do before I get to that point. Post more when you are complete!
 

slow

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 26, 2006
Messages
2,596
Location
near Orlando
whole space is nice, I really like the pallet rack bench and high storage. I really wish my garage layout would work for that design, but between the water heater, man door, electrical panel it just doesn't have the right space.
 
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CodigoRojo

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
18
I finally finished my DIY tool cabs. They are 40" wide, 30" deep, and 60" tall. There are two 12" deep drawers, one 9", eight 6" and nine 3". So far I like it. I put in black vinyl stair runner mats in the drawers to keep stuff from sliding around. Working on dividers out of 1x2 cvg doug fir. Still getting reorganized. The center desk is a nice little work space for the computer. I stuck a 42" 4k TV in there for a monitor and it just barely squeezed between the cabs. Now I can dial up pandora for music or watch a movie on Netflix if I get bored.
 

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LMS

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
209
Location
Western NY
Contemplating embarking on something similar. Can you tell me about the drawer slides? I am trying to find ones that have a smooth action and won't rack side to side on wide deep drawers like the ones you made.
 
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CodigoRojo

Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
18
I just used standard grade 28" drawer slides. Got some at Lowes and some off Amazon. They're not great but I don't have a problem with racking. They don't like a drawer that fits too tight, better to have an extra 16th or 8th and let the mounting tabs flex to take up the clearance. I clearanced all my drawers tight off the first set I bought and on later ones had to take a couple apart and shave off an 8th because the second chinese factory made them a tiny bit thicker.
 
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