Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Feb 03, 2007 09:49am | #1

   I think you can go either way: MDF if you will paint them, birch ply if you want a varnished finish.

   With the birch ply, are you talking about the stuff with the veneer core, or the fiber (i.e. MDF) core? In my area the MDF is about $22 per sheet, and the birch ply with a fiber core is generally about $35.

   I wouldn't be concerned about lavishing time and effort on shop cabinets; as you say, this is a great way to build your cabinetmaking skills.

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

2. 
   highfigh | Feb 03, 2007 08:10pm | #2

   Depending on what you'll be hanging the cabinets on, you may want to keep them lighter in weight. Plywood is definitely lighter than MDF and will have no problem holding what you want to store in them. If you think you'll need to move them in the future, use a French cleat to hang them and it'll be easy. Screwing them to the walls makes them secure but a PITA to move. Whether you use face frame or not is up to you. Faceless are easy to make and hang doors on.

   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
3. 
   xmike | Feb 03, 2007 08:37pm | #3

   I donno, I think I'd lavish a little attention on those shop cabinets if you really want to improve your cabinet skills.  Where better to make your mistakes, and then correct them, than with shop cabinets.  If you just slop them together, you'll have storage, but no improvement in your skill set.

   Just my HUMBLE opinion.

   Mike D :)

4. 
   sapwood | Feb 03, 2007 09:34pm | #4

   Plywood is my choice. MDF, while being a grand material for lots of things, offgasses for a long time. Without a finish to block that, you will smell it every time you enter the shop. Personally I dislike this smell and believe it to be unhealthy.

   So unless you are really strapped for cash and have to cut the corners off every dollar, go for the material you know you really want.

5. 
   USANigel | Feb 04, 2007 07:22am | #5

   Keep your eyes open 'cause HD often has a special on plywood. Mdf is fine but as others have said its very heavy.

1. 
   highfigh | Feb 04, 2007 06:50pm | #7

   USANigel-You want the birch ply I bought at H-D? I took it home and by the next day, it looked like a bunch of rectangular potato chips because of the warping. Ironically, I wanted it for come cabinets I was going to make for my shop. I ended up using it for some jobs that needed small parts and the warping wouldn't be as much of an issue. The one box I made has drawers in it and every time I try to open the bottom one, it reminds me to never buy their plywood. I used a partial sheet of PB for the other one (I need to make the rest) and it's totally stable. MDF stinks and is heavy but it's stable and with a coat of something, the smell isn't going to be a problem.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   USANigel | Feb 04, 2007 06:53pm | #8

   Thats odd, most I have had from there has been fine. I'm talking 2-300 sheets. It does vary.

1. 
   highfigh | Feb 04, 2007 07:34pm | #9

   Oh, well. We pays our money and we takes our chances.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   rpait | Apr 02, 2007 06:33am | #10

   The quality at the box stores will always be below grade! expensive too for the quality, you must find a good lumber yard. I buy all mine at the lumber yard and I get great wood. I pick my own and disregard the  pieces I dont like. They carry such a wide variety of wood products and I can always order something if they dont have it.

2. 
   rjones69 | Apr 02, 2007 08:55pm | #11

   Below is just a piece of the workstation I am building.  So far it doesn't appear to be all that bad.  The sides and shelves are African ply and edge banded with solid African

   View Image 

6. 
   Cheatah | Feb 04, 2007 05:37pm | #6

   Epearso:

   I have built both MDF and Ply shop cabinets. The MDF was very inexpensive and aftera good paint job they have held up well. I also used Ply and they have held up just as well. Then I tried White Melemine (Particle brd with a factory installed melamine facing. I love this stuff for shop projects because it eliminates the finishing step, its inexpensive and easy to work with. Some may snub particle board due to its heavy weight but for shop projects--- I think it is worth trying for yourself.

   Good luck

    

   Thank you,

   Cheatah

7. 
   Buster2000 | Apr 03, 2007 01:53am | #12

   I went with plywood for the hanging cabinets, and MDF for the base cabinets.  Cost and weight were the two factors.  I used rebates, and dado's on the hanging cabinets (with screws), and just biscuited and screwed the base cabinets.  I'll be honest with you, making cabinets boxes is a pretty boring job.

   I primarily use the hanging cabinets for little used tools, and longer term storage.  The base cabinets hold an aircompressor, hand power tools, and a few other odds and ends.

   For doors I just used edgebanded plywood for the hanging cabinets, secured with non-mortise hinges.  For the base cabinets I used edge banded melamine and euro style hinges, it's a much smarter look.  I know one day I'll get tired of the cheap looking plywood doors and replace them... Until then I'll just deal with it.

   One place I do enjoy spending time working on are little workstation boxes.  The ones that hold my lathe tools, drill bits, and my good hand tools.  That's where I prefer to show off.

8. 
   Moksha | Apr 03, 2007 05:35am | #13

   Epearso

   Just finished building two tool cabinets for my shop a couple of weeks ago. Used Birch Plywood and box joints for the frames and the drawers.
   Used a plan that was in the Fine Wood Working Winter Tools and Shops issue. The plan had the cabinets 4' high, however, I did not have the space and cut them to 30" leaving all other dimensions the same.
   Just wanted to say that the design I used was excellent and has many nice features.

   Moksha

   
1. 
   epearso | Apr 03, 2007 06:01am | #14

   WOW oh WOW oh WOW.  Nice work.  There was a discussion about this exact cabinet and I you're the first one I've seen to actually build it.   It is on my to-build list after I get my skills and base cabinets built, but rest assured I am going to download these photos for future reference as you have built what I have envisioned for my shop.

   THANKS!  Erik

9. 
   4DThinker | Apr 03, 2007 06:07am | #15

   We've been using TruPan, a lightweight MDF.  It's gotten pricey, but is far lighter than standard MDF.

   I have cabinets lining one side of my garage/shop, and hate them.  Yes, they provide storage space.  They don't make it easy to find though. I'd recommed framed glass doors, a good labeling system, or keeping an ongoing computer database of what's put behind each door.

1. 
   epearso | Apr 03, 2007 06:29am | #16

   How would you improve on the bank of cabinets?  My thinking about doing that was because I have the space of a 1 car garage, so I need to maximize storage and work surface area.  I was thinking of integrating both the miter saw stand and the router table into that wall of cabinets, and then using the other long wall for lumber and clamp storage.

1. 
   4DThinker | Apr 03, 2007 05:12pm | #17

   I've probably got too large of a garage and too many cabinets for just a shop. My garage is 20x40 and although half is used for two cars and a motorcycle, one long side and half the other is covered with cabinets floor to ceiling. They are also stained dark which makes the garage dark. Alas I inherited it all when I bought the house.So I would keep the cabinets down to just what you need for workshop storage. Arrange what is in them so that the stuff you need the most is closest to the related tool/bench where you'll use it. Put the rarely used stuff farthest/highest away. Keep them light colored, perhaps even painting the doors white or beige. Either label each door or make it somehow obvious what's behind it. What I value the most in my shop are large heavy-duty drawers under a bench along one wall. One drawer next to my drill press holds every accessory/drill/whatever that relates to drilling. Another keeps all my routers and their accessories together. One has all my sanding supplies, and a fourth keeps finishing supplies (but not finishes).Hope that helps.
   4D

2. 
   OB | Apr 07, 2007 08:52am | #18

   "I'd recommed framed glass doors"

    

    

   NO NO & NO !!!

    

   All you'll need to do is break one & you'll know why. NO glass of any kind in the shop accept windows. Maybe  framed Plexiglass doors never glass.Good, better, best never let it rest until your good is better & your better best.