| Project by TroutGuy | posted 184 days ago | 363 views | 6 times favorited | 10 comments |  |
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This is my version of the drill press cabinet from ShopNotes Vol.14 Issue 84 (Nov./Dec. 2005). The case (14” x 24” x 6”) is 3/4” baltic birch plywood w/1/2” baltic birch plywood front and back panels. Tongue and dado joints all around.
All of the tools are in removable ‘palettes’. Finally, I can find the drill (etc.) that I need, when I need it!
I made several modifications of their design, to better suit my needs.
1) I did not build it in separate halves, as they describe. Instead, I made the sides, top, and bottom 1/8” deeper, assembled a closed box, and cut it in half (actually, more like 3/8 front – 5/8 back) on the table saw.
2) I extended the dados in the sides into the front half of the cabinet, so that all of the palettes would be removable/adjustable. I also made them stopped dados, rather than running them out the back.
3) For the back half (right side in the picture), I doubled the 3/4” MDF in the palettes, making them deeper. The palettes in the front half have a single MDF layer.
4) I discovered that my drill index fit the front perfectly. All I had to do was cut a ‘keyhole’ in the lid and round the back corners a bit so it would open smoothly. It hangs on a screw (in the keyhole) in the cabinet, and can be easily removed as needed. More drills in less area than their design.
5) I drilled the spade and forstner bit palettes a little differently too. Same reason.
I need to layout and drill one of the ‘blank’ palettes (top right) for the stuff in the lower right. For some reason, the collection keeps growing…
-- There is nothing in the world more dangerous, than a woodworker who knows how to read a micrometer...
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10 comments so far
SteveKorz
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1335 posts in 195 days
posted 184 days ago
Nice!.... I’m trying so hard to get organized, maybe I’ll add this to the list!... It looks very well put together. Just goes to show that just because it’s published in a mag doesn’t mean it’s the best way to do it! Good job!... (I really like how they remove on their holders)... thanks for the post!
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
Paul D
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2129 posts in 230 days
posted 184 days ago
Very nice cabinet you’ve made. A good place to store your drilling accessories.
-- Paul D, Atlanta GA
GaryK
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8482 posts in 470 days
posted 184 days ago
That’s a great cabinet you’ve got there. I really like the adjustabality of the sections.
I think I’m going to make one of these!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
TroutGuy
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76 posts in 193 days
posted 184 days ago
A couple of things that I would change, if I were to build another one.
1) I would decrease the spacing of the dados to make it even more adjustable. The plan called for 1 3/4” centers, but I think 1” would be better. I would also run them all the way, top to bottom.
2) I would rethink the hinges. The plan called for a piano hinge, but I wanted something a little nicer looking. Unfortunately, I chose poorly. The top hinge interferes with a couple of the upper slots. Not a huge deal, but something I would change in Rev. ‘B’.
BTW, I forgot to mention that the MDF in the palettes is replacable. If you decide to re-arrange the cabinet, it’s easy. Just remove the screws in the plywood faces, R & R the MDF, and re-drill, at will.
-- There is nothing in the world more dangerous, than a woodworker who knows how to read a micrometer...
RAH
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292 posts in 358 days
posted 184 days ago
I like this thanks for posting, this would help me get orginized also.
-- Ron Central, CA
motthunter
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1216 posts in 280 days
posted 184 days ago
thanks for some great ideas
-- making sawdust....
Ad Marketing Guy - Bill
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314 posts in 280 days
posted 184 days ago
Good organization for your needs and a nice spinoff- you made it more functional than the plan.
-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ
jockmike2
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4129 posts in 728 days
posted 184 days ago
I subscribe to shopnotes and its a great mag full of great ideas, I’ve seen this and glad to see one made and a satisfied customer, cause I’m going to make one of my own and use your suggestions for plan B. Thanks a bunch. mike
-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com
Jiri Parkman
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559 posts in 294 days
posted 183 days ago
Interesting design.
-- Jiri
Scott Bryan
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9034 posts in 303 days
posted 183 days ago
This is a nice cabinet. I have been looking for something to help me organize my drill press accessories. Currently I have them hanging from pegboard, stored on the tray of the dp tool stand and simply put in drawers. This puts everything in one place and readily accessible.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.