Home built tool storage chests-Looking for ideas and plans

[Model A Fan]

I'd like to up my storage capacity and instead of going thr usual Harbor Freight route (which is still very nice), I'm looking to build something on a budget from wither metal or wood. I'd like to have drawers for more tool storage as my Craftsman three tier set just isn't big enough and seems to be in the way a lot. I have about 6'-8' linear and 4' vertical and 2ish' deep at my disposal depending on what I do.

Can anyone point me in the direction of some good plans, ideas or options that they may know? I have four sheets of 4'x8' of cabinet grade plywood at my disposal as well. I unfortunately don't have a lot of power tools though, so something easily built would be the best.

I have a welder, a table saw, circular saw, a miter saw, and a drill. I'm trying to do this on a budget as well. Is there a source for metal pull out drawers or containers?

Thanks!

 

[LeeG]

I have built almost all of my shop cabinet from cabinet grade plywood, with 100lb full extension ball bearing slides. It is great being able to specifically size the cabinet to fit an area or a drawer to fit its contents.

I purchased a copy of Tom Clark's book, Practical Shop Cabinets. Basically all you need is plywood, drawer slides and pulls, and a saw. I built most of mine just using job site table saw.

You can see some of my cabinet in my Garage thread in my sig.

 

[Moosefire66]

YouTube Jimmy diresta. He's an awesome builder and has a bunch of carts, and tool storage ideas. This is one of my favorites

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[rayra]

also seek the the portable workshop vids of Ron Paulk. He's done some great tool storage / organization work using plywood. Drawers, adjustable cubbies, racked hardware view containers.

Also look at the old wood toolboxes of craftsmen. Lots of compact ideas there. You could also emulate a modern steel top cabinet in 3/8" plywood and make it well enough to not even need slider hardware. Lots of low / no cost options for easy sliding drawers / trays. You could essentially make a plywood rollaway for a lot less than name-brand steel, especially if you are handy enough.

 

[Boilerhouse]

I built 2 cabinets 7 ft high x 40" w x 24" deep. Even though I cheaped out on some of the materials, it was fairly expensive to build - about $500. If I had to do it over, I would not have so many high drawers, I wish I had several that were 2 or 3 inches high like the commercial tool boxes. I find I have a lot of wasted air space. Regardless, the cabinets hold a lot of stuff and brought a lot of organization to the shop.

 

[Model A Fan]

I'm hoping to make some that would be like the commercially made tool boxes where they're a few inches deep. I'd actually like to make some that are like the Harbor Freight box that's always $360 or so. Maybe a metal frame with wooden drawers? I'm not looking to make cabinets that are too pretty to use, but I want something nicer looking than a lot of the homemade garbage I always see at garage sales with ill fitting doors and drawers.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A former board member posted pictures of a giant wood toolbox he built here some years ago. It was pretty well done. I can't remember his board name, hopefully someone else does and/or can provide a link.

 

[bl00]

Here's a couple:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72005
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94929

 

[egdede]

Mr Holeshot!!! That man loved his Duralast tools.


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[greasyfingers01]

I was wanting to make some vidmar style cabinets out of Baltic Birch. Drew up some plans, made a materials list, and pulled the plug after I priced materials. Even using box store cabinet grade birch the price was way over a HF 44". I think it would have been pretty cool but honestly the cheaper HF box would be a lot more durable.

I'll put this pic up because I think it's cool!

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[larry_g]

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These are some inexpensive ones I build years ago. I could see where if you don't have the tools to dado the sides for the drawer support frames that you could weld up a frame and bolt it to the side of the box. These have no drawer slides other than the drawer sliding on the frame. The bottom of the drawer sides are waxed with candle wax and slide easily, even loaded with tooling. The 1/2 lapped 1x2's under the drawers would look like a picture frame before being installed.

lg
no neat sig line