Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 28

Thread: Rolling multi-drawer tool cabinet: Any suggestions?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Columbia, Missouri
    Posts
    36

    Question Rolling multi-drawer tool cabinet: Any suggestions?

    I am wanting to build a rolling tool cabinet with multiple drawers and was hoping I could get some suggestions on where to start. I'm not going for the "work of art" thing, Pine & particle board would work just fine. (I hope I didn't just commit a sin by saying that PB word! ) I just need something functional. Any links you can send me to would be great too!

    Thanks
    Last edited by Dominick Giarraputo; 11-03-2005 at 9:09 PM.
    Take care, Dominick

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Anaheim, California
    Posts
    6,903
    Quote Originally Posted by Dominick Giarraputo
    I am wanting to build a rolling tool cabinet with multiple drawers and was hoping I could get some suggestions on where to start. I'm not going for the "work of art" thing, Pine & particle board would work just fine. (I hope I didn't just commit a sin by saying that PB word! ) I just need something functional. Any links you can send me to would be great too!
    I've had pretty good luck with the MillsPride closet/garage stuff from Home Depot.

    Here's a link to a catalog: http://images.millspride.com/media/p...rodcatalog.pdf

    For a 24"x24" counter-height module, the base cabinet (C3) gives you one drawer and a door. Top it with a countertop piece (A53) and replace the door with two 10" drawers (AD21). The door can then be used to close off the back. A couple of blocks under the base give you mounting points for the casters of your choice or use one of Rockler's mobile bases.

    Or bolt two of them together as part of a workbench base.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,685
    I think that ShopNotes and/or Woodsmith have featured some very nice tool cabinetry from time to time that might fit the bill. They use baltic birch plywood and nice techniques...and even dress things up a little with some easily-sourced aluminum stock.
    --

    The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Woodway Texas
    Posts
    396

    How about this

    Pictures of cabinets I finshed up a few months ago. The bottom drawers ride on bearing glides. The upper drawers are all different sizes. I made four of these out of common BORG materials.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    293
    Don't cut corners on the rolling part of the cabinet. I've made cabinets and used the cheap wheels. Yes they do roll, sort of.

    I have switched to wheels that are much better. I use these ( http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=1989) but I'm sure there are others just as nice. My only problem with them is now they roll so easily I have to be carefull when I unlock them. With the slant the garage floor has, the unlocked cabinet wants to go play in the street!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island, WA
    Posts
    2,550
    I usually find it much easier to be wrong once in while than to try to be perfect.

    My web page has a pop up. It is a free site, just close the pop up on the right side of the screen

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Columbia, Missouri
    Posts
    36

    Rolling multi-drawer tool cabinet: Any suggestions?

    Thanks to all for your suggestions and pictures. What great idea's. Those are very close to what I had in mind which only reinforces that I'm on the right track. I agree about using good quality wheels and bearing slides. I have never worked with full extention slides so that will be a challange for me in itself. Hey Paul & Bart, what is the height of your cabinets? (once again , looking for a starting place)

    Thanks again for all the help!
    Last edited by Dominick Giarraputo; 11-04-2005 at 11:05 PM.
    Take care, Dominick

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Woodway Texas
    Posts
    396

    Height

    Dominick, the height was customized to fit under my lumber rack as well as the lathe. Suggest you tailor your design to do the same as it is a real space optimizer when approached that way. Mine are about 30”. For economy I only used the rollers on the large lower drawers that would hold heavy portable power tools. The smaller drawers really don’t need it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Phoenix, AZ
    Posts
    146
    My first project was a rolling tool cart. It's all plywood construction with roller slides and decent wheels. I'd do some things differently now (like make all four wheels castering instead of just two) but overall I'm satisfied.

    Rockler has the Woodsmith plans. Item number 13157.

    It has a matching tool chest for the top of the cart. I haven't found a need for it, personally.
    Brian Austin
    Phoenix, AZ

    "Rule One: Well, I won't get it done sittin' here drinking coffee.
    Rule Two: The best you can do is the best you can do, so don't panic."
    -- John Gierach

  10. #10

    Bearing slides

    Hey Dom:

    Here is a tip I did not follow:

    Intall your slides such that they have a slight "downhill" tilt to the rear of the cabinet. Maybe 1/4" over the 22" length?

    I did not do this and if all or most of the 6 large drawers slide open at once (say when rolling the cabinet) it will quickly tip forward and break your legs.

    Bill Fields

  11. #11

    wheels

    Dom--

    second the motion about good quality 5" or 6" casters--I usually buy mine at Haarbor Freight--planning to toss about 1 out of 5 bought due to out-of-roundness. They are about 1/4 the cost of borg casters. Since evreything in my shop is mobile, I go thru a lot of casters.

    Also, agree that full-swivels all around is more verstile (harder to steer) than 2 fixed/2 swivel.

    Bill Fields

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Byron, IL
    Posts
    609
    This is what I did:

    Combines tool storage with an outfeed table and uses restaurant bus bins for drawers, so it goes together fast. The table can be rotated 90 degrees for ripping long stuff.

  13. Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker
    I think that ShopNotes and/or Woodsmith have featured some very nice tool cabinetry from time to time that might fit the bill. They use baltic birch plywood and nice techniques...and even dress things up a little with some easily-sourced aluminum stock.
    The ShopNotes and Woodsmith plans are on their PlansNow.com site, and are pretty reasonable in price. They are basically reformatted reprints of the articles, sometimes with two or more articles combined. If you can't find the original magazine articles, the PlansNow.com site is pretty handy.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Columbia, Missouri
    Posts
    36

    Rolling multi-drawer tool cabinet: Any suggestions?

    HOLY COW! I fell like a kid in a candy store! What great suggestions. With all this help I should be able to build a tool chest that could blast off into outer space! Brad, you took the words out of my mouth with doubling it as an outfeed table. I have to share my shop (garage) with wife's car so space is at a premium ... and the advise on tilting the slides back so the drawers won't all open and only using the rollers on the large lower drawers are excellent thoughts too, thanks Bill & Paul. I'm going to try to work something up this weekend, I'll post some pics for approval.

    Thanks again everyone.
    Last edited by Dominick Giarraputo; 11-05-2005 at 5:45 PM.
    Take care, Dominick

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Conway, Arkansas
    Posts
    13,181
    Dominick,

    Don't be afraid of the installation of the full extension drawer slides. I can help with that to make it fairly easy when you get ready, so just PM me when you are there and I'll help all I can to make it an easier installation.
    Thanks & Happy Wood Chips,
    Dennis -
    Get the Benefits of Being an SMC Contributor..!
    ....DEBT is nothing more than yesterday's spending taken from tomorrow's income.

Similar Threads

  1. Tool Cabinet
    By Dennis McDonaugh in forum Neanderthal Haven
    Replies: 22
    Last Post: 05-08-2005, 5:47 PM
  2. Tool Cabinet (part II)
    By Dennis McDonaugh in forum Neanderthal Haven
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 05-07-2005, 7:51 PM
  3. Hand Tool selection suggestions please
    By Mike Holbrook in forum Neanderthal Haven
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 02-10-2005, 5:39 PM
  4. Miter-saw Multi tool Stand progress
    By Bart Leetch in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 11-29-2004, 10:19 AM
  5. Suggestions about cabinet change.
    By Don Henthorn Smithville, TX in forum Design Forum
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 11-11-2003, 7:53 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •