Uber Useful Tool Storage Cabinet

by SantaB in Workshop > Organizing

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Uber Useful Tool Storage Cabinet

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So this is just me showing you how I made one of these...https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Smallest-Workshop-in-the-World/step13/Tool-Storage-Cabinet/.  The other instructable is great, just doesn't show you how to make some of the stuff.  This was the piece that spoke to me, and my need for small workspace organization. 

I made a work bench that is roughly 2ftx4ft with a lower shelf.  That is my space and about all the wife will give me in our garage.  My work bench top is constantly covered with unorganized crap because I multi-task and work on several projects at once.  With a storage cabinet like this one I can keep everything accessible and in its place (we hope).

What You Will Need...

I used:
• OSB plywood (cause I am cheap)...
• 8 sets of zinc plated hinges (or I used 4 brass piano hinges, which came out cheaper and work surprisingly well)
• 1½ inch decking screw or wood screws...
• Headless cabinet nails...
• Cabinet Magnet Set x 2...
• Small Storage Bins (optional, but useful)
• Peg board... (optional, but useful)
• Peg board accessories... (optional, but useful)
• Something to use for door knobs or handles... (I used small storage hooks)

Cutting Up!

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Doors and Inner Box.jpg

For my cabinet I cut the shelf/back pieces, top and bottom, side pieces, and doors (was able to get most of the cuts done at my local home store where I bought the materials).

For my sides:

For the top and bottom:

For the 4 doors:

For the 5 shelf/back pieces:

Initial Assembly...

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I started by putting the outer box together (sides, top and bottom). I nailed and then screwed the box together. I then measured my shelves for what heights I needed and then nailed and screwed them into place. Most of what I am storing doesn't change so there is no need for adjustable shelves.

Once you have the shelves in place (I only had room for two shelves inside) I used the 3 remaining shelf pieces for my back. I nailed and screwed these into place, lining them up behind the shelves. These are what I used to sink screws into for mounting the cabinet to the wall.


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Were You Born in a Barn!?

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Now to add the doors...

You will want to add the hinges to the inside of the doors first. Now screw the doors to the side walls (lining them up where they touch the shelves inside). You'll probably want to mount the cabinet magnets inside now (to keep these inside doors closed while you attach the outside doors as well as any additional door accessories). I screwed some plastic peg board panels to each door and drilled pilot holes and screwed in some storage hooks for door handles.

Repeat the same steps for the outside doors, except mounting the hinges on the outside of the box..

With any remaining peg board panels attach them to the sides of the box for additional hanging storage. Being that you build this thing out of wood, and it's extremely sturdy, you can attach just about any storage to it (like small storage boxes with drawers. Bear in mind though that these things would need to be attached the outside (especially if attaching to a door since the inside door won't have the clearance once opened).

Other Thoughts

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So, you could put casters on this box (like they did in the other instructable), but I would have done with before putting the doors on if I were you. Personally, I put this above my work bench. Through trial and error you will figure out where to hang what (hanging items you use most often on the outside doors). I use the bottom shelf inside specifically for screws and nails. This project is very much up to interpretation. Plan it out, just don't over-think it.

It goes without saying, but I will say it anyways... This box is quite heavy. If mounting to the wall, make sure you use long screws and drill into studs. This box will pull wall anchors out of your dry wall (if not by itself, once you load it up with you stuff). This was another good reason for me not to do a full back. I could see exactly where I needed to drill into to secure it (probably more than adequately).

One last thing I noticed when taking the pictures... I actually could attach peg board to the inside side of the outer doors. I would then be able to potentially add flat tool storage (like the screw driver tool accessory you can see in certain images), but anything that hang from a hook may interfere with other items hanging on the inside door (to where the outer doors may not shut). It may be something I look into in the future, but for right now is not a huge deal.

I hope you enjoyed this instructable. Good luck!