Shop built cabinet or built-in-place?

[Honorary Bloke]

Well mates,

We are finally getting my 84 year old aunt out of her house and into a condo. She has asked (ordered, actually ) me to build in a storage unit across one side of a room. It will be approx. 92" wide X 84" high X 20" deep. She wants doors top and bottom, adjustable shelves, etc. In general, a doable project. But . . .

what I want is your opinions on the difference between building it in modules (therefore having access to all the tools in my shed) or building it in-place (therefore not lugging around heavy unit pieces but limited tool access), or some combination. What has been your experience either way?

Also, I'm inclined to build separate base and upper units if I build modules, again to help hold down the weight of the pieces. Any opinions on that?

I am planning to build it of oak-faced plywood with solid oak edging, frames, etc.

All input welcome.

[Harry72]

Yep in modules sounds the go.
Modules made modular shaped can be shifted around if she ever wants a change. They dont need to be heavy either make them "knock down construction"

Ps, make sure you measure the room accurately for square'ness DAMHIKT

[Honorary Bloke]

Yep in modules sounds the go.
Modules made modular shaped can be shifted around if she ever wants a change. They dont need to be heavy either make them "knock down construction"

I think you're right, Harry. I don't fancy trying to cart my tools all over town, either.

[Big Shed]

My project wasn't as big as yours, but being built from MDF it would have been very hard to shift from the shed to the lounge.
It was built in 4 sections, then assembled, using male/female kitchen carcase connectors (Hettich), on a base and the top was made in 1 piece and fits over the top of the 4 units. finally skirting board to match lounge skirting board was added.
The 4 doors with the grey speaker cloth hide the speakers and sub-woofer, SWMBO did the leadlight.
Whole unit finished in 2pack satin polyurethane, sprayed with HVLP gun.

[journeyman Mick]

Bob,
definitely modular! Just allow for a couple of infill panels or fillets at either end which you can scribe and plane as required to allow for any discrepancies. Going modular means you only need the minimum of tools on-site: level, drill, jigsaw, planer, a couple of clamps and most importantly a trolley to cart the boxes from your vehicle to the job.

Mick

[coastie]

That looks damn nice Big Shed,how long did it take you to make it?