Thread: I couldn't be bothered building drawers for my cabinets - alternative ideas?

I'm in the same boat you are currently building storage with drawers.

The issue i find with building anything for storage is you need to have what you're planning on storing in mind, without this you'll end up building something that is bit of a waste of space.

So bit of chicken and egg scenario, if you've got stuff to store i'd def get cracking on the drawers, if not i'd make do until you have a need.

Having said that if i were to go back in time and tell myself when i first started woodworking, would be to make lots of cabinets with appropriately sized drawers, sure they are a bore to make and like yourself would very much like to make "actual" projects. But what i'm finding is more frustrating is working in a space with limited time and constantly having to move stuff around to find a suitable working arrangement or not being able to work efficiently because i'm forever trying to recall where i left whatever i needed at that point in time.

Hence i'm where i'm at now, putting everything i would like to be building on hold, to build cabinets with drawers.

Back to your question, if i had to decide and needed the storage my go to would be build boxes that fit inside your cabinets as an interim with dividers, from there make simple boxes can be as simple as brad nailed together or as complex as you want. Once you have your storage requirements (and list of projects dwindle) i'd finalise the cabinet drawers.

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

I'm in the same boat you are currently building storage with drawers.

The issue i find with building anything for storage is you need to have what you're planning on storing in mind, without this you'll end up building something that is bit of a waste of space.

So bit of chicken and egg scenario, if you've got stuff to store i'd def get cracking on the drawers, if not i'd make do until you have a need.

Having said that if i were to go back in time and tell myself when i first started woodworking, would be to make lots of cabinets with appropriately sized drawers, sure they are a bore to make and like yourself would very much like to make "actual" projects. But what i'm finding is more frustrating is working in a space with limited time and constantly having to move stuff around to find a suitable working arrangement or not being able to work efficiently because i'm forever trying to recall where i left whatever i needed at that point in time.

Hence i'm where i'm at now, putting everything i would like to be building on hold, to build cabinets with drawers.

Back to your question, if i had to decide and needed the storage my go to would be build boxes that fit inside your cabinets as an interim with dividers, from there make simple boxes can be as simple as brad nailed together or as complex as you want. Once you have your storage requirements (and list of projects dwindle) i'd finalise the cabinet drawers.

I think you were reading my thoughts. The days I get out to shed and swear n curse over 'where the hell is that/why dont I have those stored away accessible.
I started cutting up ply for my 1st storage cabinet with differenrt height drawers

Originally Posted by tonzeyd

I'm in the same boat you are currently building storage with drawers.

The issue i find with building anything for storage is you need to have what you're planning on storing in mind, without this you'll end up building something that is bit of a waste of space.

So bit of chicken and egg scenario, if you've got stuff to store i'd def get cracking on the drawers, if not i'd make do until you have a need.

Having said that if i were to go back in time and tell myself when i first started woodworking, would be to make lots of cabinets with appropriately sized drawers, sure they are a bore to make and like yourself would very much like to make "actual" projects. But what i'm finding is more frustrating is working in a space with limited time and constantly having to move stuff around to find a suitable working arrangement or not being able to work efficiently because i'm forever trying to recall where i left whatever i needed at that point in time.

Hence i'm where i'm at now, putting everything i would like to be building on hold, to build cabinets with drawers.

Back to your question, if i had to decide and needed the storage my go to would be build boxes that fit inside your cabinets as an interim with dividers, from there make simple boxes can be as simple as brad nailed together or as complex as you want. Once you have your storage requirements (and list of projects dwindle) i'd finalise the cabinet drawers.

Good points. Sounds like drawers are the best option, but can probably get by with shelves and boxes for some stuff. But agree, perhaps I just need to get some other projects done to scratch that itch and then I’ll have the energy for drawers.

Originally Posted by Tonyz

I think you were reading my thoughts. The days I get out to shed and swear n curse over 'where the hell is that/why dont I have those stored away accessible.
I started cutting up ply for my 1st storage cabinet with differenrt height drawers

I’ve finally finished lining the walls with French cleats. Now comes the fun of building little holders for everything. I will say that they make a huge difference for me. Being able to easily move things around is really useful. Even just seemingly superficial things like how high up on the wall to mount a particular tool to make it easily “grab-able” is a breeze with the cleats. So I recommend giving them a try if you haven’t already.

I like the way this guy builds his shop draws as the can be rearranged as required
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=qtq41rF0Jyfj7AeJ&v=suCVWmYdvhI&feature=youtu.be

I went through this exercise 12+ years ago and actually built a `15 drawer unit for my shed as practice before doing a kitchen renovation. I learned a lot.

Drawers actually hold a lot more than shelves and it is much more accessible. You probably need more shallow drawers than you expect, and fewer deep drawers.

Melamine drawers are held together by screws - I do not think there is enough wheatbix to go thinner than 16 mm. If you use solid timber or plywood and dovetail or lock mitre joint then you can go down to 12 mm, possibly 9 mm.

What I did.

First I gave a local joiner a cutting list and asked him to supply, cut and edgeband all drawer sides and bottoms. I did not have have to breathe the dust, hi machines were far more accurate and no mistakes, and his edgebanding was far better than any iron on stuff. Cost was about the same as I could by the melamine.

Then I assembled the carcases with 5 mm self tapping screws on 200 mm centre into predrilled holes. Used the backkkkks of the carcases as "squaring templates". Really fast after about the third carcase.

Then I did the drawers using the bottoms as "squaring templates". Used then $15 Chinese full extension runners available from both Blum and Hettich agents. Single extension runners are a false economy and those powder coated things from BigChain are crap.

Mate has shelves spaced to take plastic milk crates. They look efficient, but it is an absolute pain to find anything - Even if you guess the right box, little things are always down the bottom and hiding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWMof36OcYA&feature=youtu.be

there is a couple of others that Ive lost re using ply/MDF as your drawer runners.

There are also others about using standard size 'bearers' for your drawer slides and making different size drawers

You could use storage containers with the lips running in grooves for support, with or without lids?

Originally Posted by GraemeCook

Mate has shelves spaced to take plastic milk crates. They look efficient, but it is an absolute pain to find anything - Even if you guess the right box, little things are always down the bottom and hiding.

Agree I built some other drawers that were 150mm deep and even they are hard to fill without putting stuff on top of other stuff. Lots of draws required!

This might work actually.

JONAXEL Storage combination, white, 50x51x70 cm - IKEA

That might fit inside the cabinets. $50 for 4 drawers…

Without lids those Ikea things will fill with crap like sawdust and wood shavings which will attract rust.

Seeing as you've already built the cabinets your choices are now limited, however you may be extremely lucky and find a range of plastic lidded containers that can be used as drawers; just fit cleats on the internal walls for the lips of the containers to run along as suggested earlier. Or, as is more likely any containers of a suitable height will be too narrow for the carcase sides; fit shelves in the cabinets for the containers to sit on.

If you find some containers that are just a bit too narrow but otherwise perfect in every respect... make some new carcases that will fit inside the existing ones. use the cheapest particle board with glue and nail construction, cut grooves or fit cleats to allow the containers to slide in and out. When you eventually get sick of looking at them... make the proper drawers that you wanted in the first place!

Originally Posted by Chief Tiff

Without lids those Ikea things will fill with crap like sawdust and wood shavings which will attract rust.

True. Cupboard doors would solve the dust problem although little bit more effort to get to the drawers.

We have companies that specialize in parts of cabinets suppling them to small shops. Many get doors from one company, drawers from another and cases from a third etc. I suggest sniffing around for drawer makers to see what they can supply. Usually arrive as flat packed for you to assemble. Made of dovetailed hardwood, plywood and other manmade materials, often pre-finished. Cost more than you doing if from scratch but easier. Even companies that supply entire flat pack kitchens might do an order of drawers only.

Pete