Workshop Storage Cabinets

Getting our DIY Divas work space more organised has been at the top of my 'To Do' list forever. This past week I finally got around to making new storage cabinets to house all our tools and supplies, as well as make up colourful storage boxes that are mounted on the wall for smaller items.

I based the storage bin design on the Simple hardware storage bins featured on Instructables, since this will allow us easy access to handles, hinges, brackets, etc., without having to dig through drawers to find them.

YOU WILL NEED:

All sections of 16mm PG Bison SupaWood. To make one cabinet

2 of 400 x 1800mm - sides

5 of 400 x 1000mm - shelves

5 of 50 x 1000mm - aprons

2 of 514 x 1734mm - doors

8 butt hinges + 16mm screws

4 x 50mm screws

Wood filler

No More Nails adhesive

1000-grit sandpaper

Choice of paint to finish, or Plascon Polvin and Prominent Paints clear acrylic sealer

Paintbrush and foam roller, or Bosch PFS spray system

2 knobs or handles

2 double roller catches

TOOLS:

Drill / Driver + assorted bits

Countersink bit

Orbital sander + 120- and 240-grit sanding pads

Tape measure and pencil

NOTES:

Refer to Simple hardware storage bins for instruction on making the storage bins Double up the quantity if you plan on making two storage cabinets and include an extra shelf and apron for the centre worktop.

1. Assembling the frame

Aprons were screwed onto the top and base sections. The sides were attached to these sections by drilling countersunk pilot holes through the sides and into the shelf and apron - see image.

2. Mounting the shelves
You can place the shelves at any height you wish. I wanted to allow a large space at the bottom of stacking boxes and containers, and at the top for taller items. The shelves are secured in exactly the same way as the top and base.

The apron for the shelves is further back from the front edge to provide more support across each shelf.

3. Finishing the assembly
All the screw holes are concealed with wood filler left to dry and then sanded smooth.

GOOD TO KNOW

I like to apply a thin layer of Pattex No More Nails / Gorilla Glue over the screw heads before putting wood filler. This seems to reduce the likelihood of the filler cracking and also bonds the wood filler better.

4. Sanding and painting
The two cabinets then head into the workshop for final sanding and painting. All the edges are sanded with 120- and then 240-grit sandpaper. The 120- takes off the sharp edge and the 240- polishes the edging for a perfect painted finish.

We used a Bosch PFS 65 spray system and Plascon Polvin (white) to paint the cabinets inside and out. Three coats of paint were applied and sanded with 1000-grit sandpaper. After this, two coats of acrylic sealer were applied. Quite a few people have asked me why we do this, and the reason is that it is easy to sand the Polvin between coats for an ultra-smooth finish.

5. Finishing
Four butt hinges are mounted onto the back of each door with 16mm screws and then the doors are hung onto the cabinet frame with 30mm screws. It's important to drill pilot holes to avoid splitting the frame.

Add your choice of knobs or handles and attach 2 double roller catches to the base and top shelf.

6. Storage bins
Each individual storage bin was glued together using Pattex No More Nails. The boxes were sanded and given two coats of clear acrylic sealer.

I wanted to introduce some colour into the DIY Divas workshop area and ended up painting the front of each box with a different shade of Rust-Oleum 2X spray paint. Love it...!

After assembly and painting the top section of the French cleat was glued and screwed to the back of each box.

The storage bins were a bit of a boo-boo that turned out OK. Because we couldn't find the right size timber, we ended up attaching the cleats to the backing board, which in turn meant that the base support on each bin was a bit short. However, now we can see what's in each bin and I won't have to add labels.

If you prefer to have the bins sit flush with the frame, use a piece of 32 x 94mm PAR pine as shown in the Simple hardware storage bins and mount the French cleat in the same way.

For more great DIY projects pop onto http://www.Home-Dzine.co.za