Thanks,

TJ

-- Tim --

There are show shops. And there are go shops.
Mine is a go shop. Go out there and let the imagination run wild creating things.

Which kind is yours?

Sonny Edmonds
Saugus, CA
"Precision Firewood Specialist"

"Lurkimus turdius orifus" (Limey-speak latin for a lurking A$$hole)
A handle bestowed on me by my Dear Friend, Robert "Limey" Bolton. 1947-2007

"A candle loses nothing lighting another."

Welcome to the Forum!

I have used:

1) Particle board and painted it. I't OK but looks cheap.

2) BORG birch and poly'd it. It's certainly OK.

3) BORG cheapo China hardwood plywood and poly'd it. It's OK.

4) BORG sanded Pine A/C and poly. It's OK but not real flat.

5) Never built a "cabinet" out of MDF, but it sounds a little expensive.

I have also made a 2x2 and 2x4 frame and covered the frames with 1/4 luan. Then made face frames and panel doors to cover the fronts. Inside shelves bade the same way.

I also made drawers out of the same material as the cabinet.

If I had to go buy plywood for a shop cabinet I might use the China Hardwood plywood again. That was about $25 per sheet for a 3/4 -errr 18mm sheet. Borg birch (about $40) might be my second choice just because of price.

Leo

Before the 04 crash;
Member since October, 2003

JOURNEY

I will likely check out the big box stores to see what they have to offer in the way of plywood, and will likely go with the sanded pine ply.

Jerry

A "Charter Member" before the crash of '04.

"No man's life, liberty, or property is safe," warned Mark Twain, "while Congress is in session."

Visit my woodworking website:
http://www.sawdustersplace.com

I do not like working with MDF so it would not be my first choice despite the fact that I prefer to go the cheap route.

My first cabinet is a stand for the SCMS.

I guess I will check out the "sanded pine" at HD. I plan on using drawers or slide out shelves. I have a bunch of cabinets that I find pretty useless and inconvenient.

I have a bunch of douglas fir I could use for face frames and drawer fronts.

Thanks again for all your help guys.

TJ

The counter tops were made from whatever was left and then formica glued in place.

When I purchased the Melamine the cost was just under $23 a sheet. Which was a lot better than the $75 a sheet for the cabinet grade oak I picked up Monday.

In the long run, I don't think that you can beat the cost of Melamine unless you have access to some recycled material.

Rich
Huntington Beach, CA USA

My first shop cabinets, along the rear wall, were Birch ply from HD with Maple face frames.

The next installment was along the west wall and were Birch ply from HD with Pine face frames.

The last cabinet I made was for underneath the TS extension table and was Pine B/C plywood from HD with Red Oak drawer fronts...no face frame.

All my cabinets are very functional even if they are not particularly attractive. I have hardboard panels in many of the doors and on the cabinet tops. I've also made some smaller wall hung cabinets from whatever was on hand and there is really no rhyme or reason to the arrangement.

If I was starting from scratch again, I would probably try to make more attractive cabinets...something like Autobodyman made for his paint cabinet. Not for show, but just to exhibit a bit more craftsmanship. After all, I spend a lot of time in my shop...it's my favorite hang-out.

Cody
Tyler, TX

This is the rolling shop cabinet I have my SCMS on.

I think this is what you described.

It is sanded pine.

It is a New Yankee Workshop plan.

Leo

Before the 04 crash;
Member since October, 2003

JOURNEY