Workshop Cupboard WIP...Advice Sought!

[PeteG]

I've probably committed a cardinal sin not drawing any plans up, but here goes. I've started on the storage cupboard for the workshop, hopefully the below image will give you an idea of what I'm up to, although I doubt it will look anything like these superimposed wardrobes. The freezer will sit on a small plinth in the corner.



I've made the base frame on top of which will lay a sheet of 3/4" plywood. From right to left will be two units with an internal dimension of 2' x 2'. I've 12 sheets 8' x 2', total length of the cupboard is around 8'6". I've cut 6 sheets in to 6 foot lengths, leaving the 2 foot off cuts as the top, bottom and shelves for the first unit, top and bottom for the second unit. I'll be using the pocket hole jig to join these up. The third unit will be 4'6" x 2'...





Now for the questions?

1: The frame was made up of planed 3" x 2" Redwood and joined using the pocket hole jig, I had one small cut out to make in the left corner [ See below image ]. Once a sheet of ply is layed on top, the front of the base is around
2mm lower than the back! Will this be OK, or do I need to lift the frame some how at the front? The floor is roughly finished concrete painted.

2: The third unit being around 4'6" x 2", is this too big to be using pocket holes and should I be adding some frame work?

3: Once all three units are made up, I was going to screw them all together, then to the base and the back wall, which is sheet chipboard. Does this seem OK?

4: The first unit I'll be adding shelves, again using pocket holes, these will have an internal dimension of 2' x 2'. Do you think shelves and plastic boxes are the way to go, or would I be best off making draws on runners?

5: Doors! Do I make doors on hinges, and if so, is there a certain type I need? Or would sliding doors be a better solution?




Any advice would be greatly appreciated chaps, after the bench, this is the BIGGEST project I've attempted!

Pete.

 

[ColeyS1]

Looks a really great looking project- be great for storage

1. If it were me I think I would level up the base with wedges or packers then get some compasses to scribe a level line. It looks like theres quite a dip in the middle so this would help getting it rock solid. 2mm isnt alot over 2 feet but over 6 foot high it'll be alot more noticable. If it were 2mm lower on the back im not sure it would be that much of an issue- it would help keep the doors closed and the stuff on the shelves. You could always slip some slithers of packing to bring it level if you were gonna put a plinth/cover fillet on the floor after a few buzzes with an electric planer would see it leveled in good though
Are you dropping the upright panels in place then screwing with pocket holes to the bottom and top ?
Looking forward to seeing more pictures of the progress !!

Sent from my GT-I9300

 

[MickCheese]

Will the 2mm difference make things roll off the front?

That would drive me crazy when I knew I could have sorted it.

Mick

 

[richard56]

Good job.
Looking forward to seeing how you do with this.
You can't win with storage. I used the deep plastic boxes. Mine sit on a wooden frame though not shelves. I can guarantee the thing I'm looking for is right at the bottom of the box. Or is a little too big to get the lid on.
Before this I had shelves at different heights. But always seemed to have wasted space above what was stored on them.
I would say have a good look at what is going in there before making a decision.

Rich

 

[PeteG]

Appreciate the replies lads, and you're right, I should sort the base out first. I've stepped back a bit this morning and have realised the mistake with the doors if I had continued as planned.
The top, bottom and shelves for the first two units are two foot square. I planed to attach these using pocket holes inside the side panels, and an hinged door, the hing being screwed
to the 3/4" fascia. As the doors are also 2' wide, this would have left a 3/4" gap in the cupboard, the door being an inch and half short in width.
I think it's best to go for sliding doors, I can then put four 2' doors up. I'll worry about the base for now, and keep you updated, no doubt I'll get stuck at some point #-o

 

[ColeyS1]

You could use some kitchen type hinges- then have the doors inset ? Lots of useful adjustment then for height etc- and they would be self closing

Sent from my GT-I9300

 

[PeteG]

You could use some kitchen type hinges- then have the doors inset ? Lots of useful adjustment then for height etc- and they would be self closing

Sent from my GT-I9300

Cheers Coley I've justed sorted the base out and was sat here looking for sliding door kits, and how they fit, just incase I need to change the design of the cupboard.
Didn't think of kitchen door hinges! Would save a lot of time and expense

 

[pip1954]

if the doors would be to small why not put a face frame onto the cupboards that would cover any gaps as you can make to sort door sizes.
cheers pip

 

[PeteG]

if the doors would be to small why not put a face frame onto the cupboards that would cover any gaps as you can make to sort door sizes.
cheers pip

Hello Pip, not something I've done before, neither is building a cupboard to be honest so would like to keep things as simple as possible

 

[PeteG]

Not too much of an update today sadly, was hoping to spend most of the day in the shed but it wasn't to be. The first unit is in place, and tomorrow night I'll start on the second. Should be straight forward as there are no shelves. Our lass needs somewhere to put a few gardening tools until I make her a storage unit for outside. Once that's done, I'll add sliding draws.

 

[PeteG]

At last an update The cupboards are in place but nothing has been permanently fixed down. There's one large cupboard 4' x 2' and two at 2' x 2' leaving a several inch space for storing a few sheets
of plywood/MDF. I was going to have this in the middle but then thought that if the sheets are wider than 2' or longer than 6' they'd be better off against the wall. The plinth on the left is for the freezer.

Do you reckon these hinges will be OK for the doors :?: The right and centre cupboard will have two doors each, a top and bottom. The left cupboard will be one large door 6' x 2',
would this require three or four hinges :?: The doors will be 3/4 inch ply.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/sprung-adjust ... f-2/35814#

Finishing wise, I was going to paint the doors, but not sure what to do with the units. Varnish, oil, haven't a clue, so some words of wisedom would be much appreciated