Replies

1. 
   joeleonetti | Jul 27, 2023 01:56pm | #1

   I think a piano hinge would work just fine. At one point, I built my daughter a tool chest out of scrap plywood and wanted to keep things simple. I used a piano hinge and it worked well. Other hinges would work also. If you have one of those urban recycler type places near you, I'd go there and see what you can find in terms of hinges that are inexpensive. Heck, you could just as easily use leather scraps and the screws or nails to make hinges for this if you have leather scraps.

2. 
   bilyo | Jul 27, 2023 03:49pm | #2

   You say "stackable" which, to me, means these will not be drawers in a case of some sort. If correct, I would be very concerned about weight. Paper itself can be very heavy. As such, I think 6" high is too much. If you fill that up, you won't be able to lift it. Likewise, I think 3/4" ply and 1/2" plywood is overkill. 3/8" for the bottom and 1/4" for the top should be adequate. You could also reduce the sides to 1/2" thick and a lesser height to reduce weight and even use a lighter weight wood like white pine or spruce. In any case, I would encourage you to make a mock-up to see how much you can put in the space you are planning and how heavy it becomes.

3. 
   Art619 | Jul 27, 2023 04:26pm | #3

   @ bilyo

   Yes, they’re going to be just stackable boxes. I’d toyed with the idea of trying to make my own version of a flat file cabinet but quickly discovered why those things command such high prices! Thanks for the heads up on weight of paper….I might go as shallow as 1x4 but have been wrangling around portfolios full of paper for years so have a general idea. You’re right about 1x6 maybe pushing things a bit though.

1. 
   user-7627473 | Jul 27, 2023 06:49pm | #4

   I second the weight issue Bilyo mentioned. Especially if you really plan on these being stacked. My first thought is say you have 4 or 5. You decide you need something out of the bottommost box - then you have to lift all the upper ones off then place them somewhere etc. etc - then put them back. Whew! As an alternative I might consider making a open front box and fashion open top tray boxes on slides. Some sort of front closure.

4. 
   Deleted | Jul 27, 2023 08:30pm | #5

   “[Deleted]”

5. 
   bilyo | Jul 27, 2023 10:26pm | #6

   Even though you are on a budget, I recommend you make a basic cabinet consisting of an open frame and install wood runners for the boxes (drawers). You can cover the framework cabinet with thin plywood or mdf later if you like. But this will allow you easy access to your drawings without the lifting involved. Don't make drawers more than 4" high. Joinery of the cabinet frame can be simple half lap joints or anything else you are capable of doing. Glue and screws will work fine.

6. 
   Go_Bills | Jul 28, 2023 07:35am | #7

   Have you considered hanging your drawings? This could be a very economical approach. A birch cabinet could be used to keep the dust off the drawings

   Please reference the attached link to McMaster Carr Drawing Hangers

   https://www.mcmaster.com/products/drawing-hangers/

1. 
   Art619 | Jul 28, 2023 09:04am | #8

   Great option for larger work! I’m currently using the budget alternative of binder-clipping stuff 30”-ish by longer than 40” to large drawing boards and leaning them against the wall…..I think one of the 42”wide, wall mounted hanging systems might just be going on my bucket list! The boxes are for small-to-intermediate size works on paper and I’ve got some really great ideas here thus far in addition to valuable food for thought so thanks to all!
   I’m leaning more in the direction of using 1x4 sides at this point and drilling/sinking/gluing some sort of threaded sleeve into the 1x top such that the lid can be quick bolted on/off with 4 smallish hex headed bolts. This would enable some gasket type material to aid in isolating the artwork from insects and is probably a better fit for storing finished pieces in my studio space.

7. 
   lat_axe | Jul 29, 2023 06:07am | #9

   I once made a plan chest (which is what your stack of boxes will basically be) that was a large square cabinet of various-size & very shallow drawers, clasped by a frame and panel carcass. The top was a large sheet of birch ply edged with ash and died holly 1/8" black stringing.

   It didn't cost that much in materials and also served as a movable coffee table, as it was mounted on four brakeable castors.

   The advantage of a plan chest are that:

   * the stuff in it can be quickly accessed via pulling a drawer out;
   * there can be different size drawers for different size drawings.
   * It looks much nicer than a stack of boxes, especially with nice drawer knobs.
   * Its also a coffee table or even a drawing surface.

   Plan chests for holding & accessing large numbers of paper sheets of various sizes have evolved as such for a reason - they're better and easier to use for the purpose of storing and accessing paper sheets, large to small, than a stack of same-size boxes.

8. 
   stantheman | Jul 29, 2023 10:18am | #10

   I know many people use them for carpentry, but drywall screws are made for drywall. Their shafts are too thin and threads too coarse for furniture.

9. 
   richeytgr | Jul 29, 2023 11:06am | #11

   Before you take on this project look around. I recently retired from an office that archived plans for a large hospital’s construction. The industry is going digital. Those sheets are being digitized and offices don’t want to pay rent on storage. You might be able to find what you’re looking for.