LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

This project started in late 2011 when I got a new scroll saw and decided to learn the computer software program "SketchUp" about the same time.

The idea was to create a functional cabinet made of maple with slanted sides and front to match the angles on the scroll saw's metal stand. The back was left vertical since the back of the scroll saw overhangs the cabinet. SketchUp automatically calculates the various angles and construction dimensions based on the measurements from the metal stand openings. (That is if you use the right measurements.) This project was built on faith that with the correct measurements, everything would fit in the stand when completed. The construction was taken in steps as I learned (or, should I say tried to learn) the various, fundamental aspects of SketchUp.

This cabinet design incorporates several features which are a little out of the ordinary: longer drawer guides so the various drawers can be pulled out sufficiently when working (photo 1); an odd shaped bottom, back drawer designed to use all available space (photo 4), while permitting a bottom front drawer long enough to store books and the instruction manual (the latter of which proved to be of limited value, c.f., http://lumberjocks.com/HillbillyShooter/blog/28247 ).

The center front drawer is set up to store an assortment of scroll saw blades (photo 2). Why so many? I'm fairly new to scroll sawing. Everything I read indicate there are no hard and fast rules-you just have to use various blades until you find out what works best for you. However, the holder is just an insert, so it can be re-designed in the future if a different or better approach is needed. Also, it's not as confusing as it might seem since the types of blades are labeled on the drawer insert and the smaller sizes start on the left side, progressing to larger sizes on the right.

This is one project that has taken much longer than I'd like and I'm glad it's finished. It did fit into the stand nicely, but the construction angles are off just a little because I used the metal stand's very top rail measurement, instead of the measurement for the bottom of the top metal rail. At least everything else seems to have worked out, including the dovetailed slant front drawers. All drawers were dovetailed using a Leigh dovetail jig.

You have to use the "Zoom Pictures" view to get the full view of the cabinet in the stand due to formatting differences and limitations.

As always, comments (good, bad, critical or whatever) are greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking.

P.S.: If you are wondering about the software program SketchUp, I think it is worth the time invested to learn it. I appreciated the chance to see a project "built" before I began actual cutting and construction. I did invest in several learning programs by Bob Lang that I found thorough and helpful.

P.P.S. 01/08/13 Some of you have been kind enough to inquire about a copy of my SketchUp drawings, and thanks to LJ Sawstop, I was able to up load them to Google 3D Warehouse at the following: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?q=Hillbilly+Shooter&styp=m&scoring=t&btnG=Search . Thanks to everyone for their interest and remember to measure for your particular stand and that my cabinet was not wide enough at the top-so these are only a starting point. If anyone cares to improve or finish these, you have my encouragement with the hope you'll let us know and share.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
7,502 Posts
Wow John. All those angles, and miters.. whew, that came out very nicely. You've got quite a collection of scroller blades, and a fantastic way to store them. Super kool
 

· Registered
Joined
·
6,940 Posts
Holy Moly John!! This is really outstanding! What a wonderful use of space and it is a very well thought out cabinet. I think that any scroller would be thrilled to have that kind of organization! I have a small place here, and my saw is on a small sideboard cabinet. I wish I had room for the stand so I could make something like this (or better yet - have my partner Keith make one! ) I think you really did a great thing here and I think in the long run, it is going to make your whole shop experience more pleasant and enjoyable.

Great project! :)

Sheila
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,038 Posts
very nice that took alot of planing and work.i'd couldn't have done that in a million years.thanks for sharing.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
9 Posts
That is super cool. Im with Sheila on this. I wish I had room for a stand for my saw to make something like you did. Great job.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
169 Posts
That is a GREAT use of space. I LIKE IT !!!!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
19,753 Posts
Great job making unusable space usable and with tons of style.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
5 Posts
Jeez, what a neat and tidy setup! Well done!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
23 Posts
I signed up just so I could post a comment here. I think this project shows true craftsmenship.All the blades and accesories right at your hands. Creative as anything Ive seen in a shop. Dont cut yourself short on this project buddy.5 stars.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
9 Posts
Well-conceived and well-executed - and pleasing to the eye!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
901 Posts
This is awesome! Your craftsmanship is beautiful. I showed this to my husband (Christmas is coming!) I have a stand the same as yours for my Dewalt scroll saw. I think the drawers are so useful. The only question I have is do you stand or sit at your scroll saw and if you sit do you have enough space for your knees. I sit at my scroll saw and use a foot pedal which I have on the bottom shelf of the stand.
This is a great project John and congratulations on a beautiful job.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
405 Posts
That is indeed a fantastic project! Obviously you put in a lot of thought and effort and made most effective use of an otherwise wasted space. Great job, John!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,675 Posts
Looks awesome. You are super organized. Thank you for sharing
 

· Registered
Joined
·
393 Posts
Very nice looking and functional. I lioke this a lot
 

· Registered
Joined
·
177 Posts
Great idea. Now if I can clear out some floor space in my shop I'll re-assemeble the stand for my saw and build a cabinet just like this one.

One question, from your pics it looks like the drawer boxes are your typical square/rectangular shape with the sides 90 degrees to the fronts, but the applied drawer fronts are the trapezoid shape. And the drawer runners/glides are attached to the sides with angled blocks to keep them in the same plane as the drawer sides. Is this right?

Another question; Are the drawer's runners/glides on the back side mounted at different heights than the front? I assume so you can get the full length out of them.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
841 Posts
Thank you all for your kind words and taking the time to look at this project. It is great to have your fellow wood workers on LJ say such nice things about an item you conceived and made.

Anna: I'm still a novice at scroll sawing, but probably prefer to stand since I'm used to that position from using all my other tools. However, and as I remind my wife that she has to make allowances due to my "Y" chromosome handicap, my sitting style is entirely difference from a lady's being one knee on the outside of one stand leg with the other knee on the outside of the opposite stand leg. However, a swivel shelf could be designed to attach on the side of the cabinet you use for your foot control and just brought into place when needed.

DouginVA: The trapezoid fronts on the front drawers are attached to dovetailed bb at the same angle as the cabinet and the stand (approximately 11 degrees) and the rest of the drawers sides are at 90 degrees. The drawer runners/glides are indeed attached to the sides so that the inside attachment is parallel to the sides and the "wedge" shape spacers were cut on the band saw at 11 degrees, running front to back. The drawer runners/glides on the back are set at the same level for the top drawers since the front top drawer is 10" deep and the back top drawer is 8" deep; but, the bottom runners glides are higher in the front and lower in the back, both being 18" runners (as is the bottom front runner/glide).

Any other questions, please just ask and I'll try to respond.

And, thanks again to everyone who looked, "favorited" and especially took the time to comment. Also, I would appreciate any criticisms so I can improve the next time (if I agree that is).
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,049 Posts
HillbillyShooter, you nailed it ! Breath taking project! That is so smart of you .
 

· Registered
Joined
·
2,217 Posts
This thing looks fantastic. I really want to make one for under my jointer. I love how the angles fit perfectly.
 

· Registered
Joined
·
1,942 Posts
Nicely done!

I have an older model Excalibur saw, and the stand is built differently, but I will certainly look into building a similar system for mine, thanks for sharing!

all the best!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
71 Posts
That is one awesome custom set of built in shelves! All of us scrollsawers are big time jelly!
 
Top