Finally Finished!!!

[Chuck Isaacson]

Well, the shop cabinets are done!! Well, the first set anyway. It has taken me 3 months to do, but they are done. I finished up the drawers on Saturday. All the cabinets are made out of 3/4" Red Oak plywood from Menards. All the face frames and doors are made from solid red oak and MDF. I used a one piece cope and stick bit from MLCS for the rails and stiles. Worked out pretty nice. I just had some issues with the router plate. Seems that my 3 1/4HP Freud is a little too heavy for it. I have an aluminum plate on the x-mas list. Everythig is finished in tung oil except for the MDF portion of the doors. That is just done with wipe on poly. I am thinking that I should have done those in tung oil as well to save myself a step. It was a real PITA. Lessons learned I suppose. Now I need to finish the coutertop and start on the other wall of the shop. Let me know what you think.

CHuck

132923 132924 132925 132926 132927 132928

[Mike Cruz]

Great job. I'm sure you'll stare at them every time you enter your shop, and grin from ear to ear...

Now, get to work on the other side! :D

[Harold Burrell]

Wow! That looks great!

I'd be happy with that in my kitchen! :D

[Stephen Edwards]

Looking GREAT Chuck! I know you'll enjoy those for years to come. Very nice work.

[gary Zimmel]

Looks like you are really starting to get the shop together Chuck.

Nice job on the first set of cabinets..
When's the next batch getting started.:D

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Go Chuck! When did you say you were coming to Idaho to build the cabinets for my shop?:confused::rolleyes:

Nicely done Chuck. Good looking cabinets that should last a long while!

[John Keeton]

Very nice, Chuck. You did an excellent job on the layout, as well as the construction.

So, what height did you end up using? I know it was discussed in the other thread, but I don't recall. Do you like the "feel" of them for wheelchair use?

I notice the outlet height looks like it could be a pretty good reach where there is no knee space. Did that work out OK for you reaching over the cabinets and not being able to get close to the wall to access the outlet?

[Chuck Isaacson]

Very nice, Chuck. You did an excellent job on the layout, as well as the construction.

Thanks you sir...


So, what height did you end up using? I know it was discussed in the other thread, but I don't recall. Do you like the "feel" of them for wheelchair use? They still need to be mounted onto the wall, but I think that finished height, with counter tops, is going to be around 30 1/2". It just depends on how level the floor in the shop is and how much we are gong to have to shim them. We will see.I do like the feel of them. They are at a nice height. They are much better than the ones that are in my kitchen. Those are at 36" and it sucks. I think that they might be getting lowered one of these days.


I notice the outlet height looks like it could be a pretty good reach where there is no knee space. Did that work out OK for you reaching over the cabinets and not being able to get close to the wall to access the outlet?The outlets aren't bad to reach at all. They are close enough to the roll under sections that I can reach them fairly easy. I plan on hard wiring some outlets along the front of the cabinets at some point. We will see.

Chuck

[Prashun Patel]

Wonderful job! You're lucky.

One question: Is that 3/4" mdf for the countertops? Not sure I'd trust that...

[Chuck Isaacson]

Wonderful job! You're lucky.

One question: Is that 3/4" mdf for the countertops? Not sure I'd trust that...

Yes, it is 3/4" MDF. It is not finished yet. I am going to run some supports across the roll under sections and then I will put it in place. I am then going to put a layer of 1/4" hardboard over the top. This area will not be used for heavy stuff. All assembly will be done on my new assembly table when I get it. And also on the outfeed table. This are will be mostly used to store crap I am sure.

[John Thompson]

Very nice Chuck. Both my large 48" x 72" and 30" x 42" assembly tables have 3/4" ply tops I re-enforced underneath with 3 coats of poly to keep glue from sticking. If you have intended heavy use as you state.. I think you are fine as mine has held up to some pretty rigorous use for over 10 years since they were made.

Keep up the excellent shop build...

[Brian Kincaid]

Nice cabinets. Those would look good for a kitchen IMO.

-Brian

[Sam Layton]

Chuck, those are great looking cabinets. Did you make a few to many?. I can a few off your hands if you like. Your are doing an outstanding job building your shop.

Sam

[Chuck Isaacson]

Chuck, those are great looking cabinets. Did you make a few to many?. I can a few off your hands if you like. Your are doing an outstanding job building your shop.

Sam

Just the opposite Sam, I did not make enough. I have another wall to build cabinets for. It will include a drill press stand, miter station, a spot for a bench-top mortise machine and more. I will start on them shortly. I am also going to build a mobile lumber rack. It is going to incorporate sheet goods, long lumber and cutoffs. Lots of work to do. After that, then I might be able to start on a real project.

Chuck

[Von Bickley]

Chuck,

Great looking cabinets and I know it's going to be one GREAT shop.....

I'm just curious why you used MDF on those oak cabinets? :confused:

[Chuck Isaacson]

Chuck,

Great looking cabinets and I know it's going to be one GREAT shop.....

I'm just curious why you used MDF on those oak cabinets? :confused:

I assume that you are talking about the panels in the middle of the doors and drawers. Here are a couple reasons:



I like the contrast that it provides. I think that it looks really nice.
It was cheap and easy.
Didn't really want to take the time to make raised panels or spend more money on some thinner plywood. I already have spent enough money on these things.
ITS JUST SHOP FURNITURE!!! I had to keep telling myself that throughout the whole process. These are not things that are going to be in my house. They are gong to get beat up and what not in the shop. It doesn't have to be really fancy.

I hope that covers it. Thanks.

Chuck

[Jerry Olexa]

Good work, Chuck AND a nice looking shop!!!