In the last article on Workshoppery Storage we got started on this vital work for the workshop to really be usable. The latest project is more storage for the workshop. Unfortunately, at the end of this project I’m at the point where I actually have plenty of storage and need to focus on organizing and storing everything into the storage…
Parts Cabinet
I’ve grown fond of storage cases – the cases of bins that are fantastic for storing nuts and bolts and similar small parts.
Speaking of nuts and bolts, I’ve started buying them in bulk – quantities of 25-100 from places like Bolt Depot and by the pound from Tractor Supply. This is much cheaper than buying small quantities from the local hardware store or big box store. Each storage case is filled with a single size of bolt, like 1/4-20, in multiple lengths, as well as nuts and washers. It is surprisingly easy to fill up a storage case with a single size of bolt!
And the different types of fasteners accumulate: Bolts in 1/4-20, 5/16-18, 3/8-16, and 7/16-14. A collection of 3/8-16 bolts in Grade 8. How about 1/4-20, 5/16-18 and a few 3/8-16 bolts in Black Oxide? Can’t forget the Machine Screws in #6, #8, and #10. As well as a few machine screws in #12. Also can’t forget the assortment of sheet metal screws. And assorted special parts like fuses and adapters.
The result is eight or ten of the parts cases stacked on top of each other. The one you need is either in the middle of the stack or on the bottom, meaning that you have to play Tower of Hanoi to get the case you need. Many times you need two or three different sizes of bolts, meaning multiple chances to play the stacking game. You have to find someplace to put the case so that you can open it – and it seems that the case is always trying to fall on the floor and scatter bolts everywhere. Did I mention that I’ve overloaded most of the cases, so they have 12-15 pounds of bolts?
And, of course, I need more of these storage cases!
This lead to a set of requirements:
- Store 20 of the parts cases.
- Easy access to the parts cases.
- Direct access to each case without moving any other cases.
- A dedicated place to open the cases.
The obvious solution is a rack of shelves sized for the parts cases. I considered several alternatives. I really wanted to make it out of laser-cut steel with drawers for each case, but the cost was prohibitive.
The ultimate design was a cabinet frame made of 3/4″ plywood with 1/2″ plywood shelves sitting in routed grooves. Yes, this is overkill – but remember the overloaded cases. Five feet high supports exactly 20 parts cases and a set of casters let’s me put it wherever is convenient.
Routing 40 precisely measured grooves for the shelves was a considerable concern – until I realized that I could make a T-square jig out of scrap and bolt it to my work table.
The jig makes sure that everything is square and accurate. Screwing the two cabinet sides together ensures that they are aligned. An alignment mark on the side of the jig eliminates measurement – route a slot, pull out the cabinet sides until the routed slot aligns with the mark, route the next slot, and repeat until done. Easy and accurate!
After routing the grooves in the cabinet sides it was straightforward to assemble the cabinet, slide the shelves into place, attach casters to the bottom, and load up the parts cases.
I installed a pair of full extension drawer slides for one of the shelves, providing a pull-out shelf to place one of the storage cases on when getting parts out of it.
The cabinet easily absorbed all of the parts cases I have. All that is left is to get more parts cases. And parts to go in them!
Cleanliness
Welding, grinding, painting, and woodwork all produce dust and grime that gets on everything. This is part of the reason all of the recent storage is closed – to try to keep the contents clean.
So it was time to add doors to the original storage cabinets. These are the two 8′ tall cabinets that were built several years ago – one shallow and one deep.
Next post: This Blows!
Next workshop/storage post: Yet More Workshoppery Storage