| Project by Jeff | posted 549 days ago | 796 views | 1 time favorited | 16 comments |  |
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I created this out of necessity because the old brownstone we live in is lacking sufficient closets. KT and I have a good deal of open-air space and high ceilings but we sacrifice storage space. The loft has a small 5 foot wide (only 22” deep) closet augmented by an unfortunate particle board armoire. Previously, this closet had only one shelf spanning the length of the closet anchored to one stud and the corner joints. If you want the whole silly story, visit my blog on the closet.
I mistakenly estimated the sturdiness of the shelf and built a case to house my sweaters, shoes and miscellaneous items. I built it out of 1/2” Baltic Birch because I wasn’t totally oblivious to weight concerns. I just underestimated the installation skills of the previous owners. I am learning many things the hard way. But, I won’t easily repeat my mistakes.
Lessons Learned:
- Baltic Birch is great to work with;
- finger joints in BB are very strong but hard to fit if they are just a little tight (easy to rip out top layer);
- BB is very sturdy if the ol’ closet collapses… this case was very minimally damaged but the closet wall had to undergo significant repairs. The basic rabbet joints glued with Titebond II suffered NO negative effects from the wrenching and shifting required to get the case out.
Construction:
- Slotted interlocking shelves for easier portability;
- drawers have box/finger joinery in the front for aesthetic purposes and rabbet joinery on the rear of the drawers;
- there are no runners or mounts for the drawers as they are meant to be loose in the case and easily and quietly pulled out while others are asleep.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
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16 comments so far
MsDebbieP
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11909 posts in 641 days
posted 549 days ago
it looks great, Jeff.
I love the look of the drawers and the “silent” movement will be appreciated for years to come.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
oscorner
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4576 posts in 791 days
posted 549 days ago
Nice, tight finger/box joints, Jeff.
-- Jesus is Lord!
Wooder
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163 posts in 667 days
posted 549 days ago
Very nice design, Jeff. I actually have been thinking of something like this for 2 closets. You’ve given me some great ideas.
BTW, nice FJs in that BB!!
-- Jimmy
CharlieM1958
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4169 posts in 699 days
posted 549 days ago
Nice design and joinery. Great job!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
WayneC
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5690 posts in 578 days
posted 549 days ago
Very Functional.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
dennis mitchell
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2931 posts in 795 days
posted 549 days ago
Best built part of the whole house.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Bill
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2514 posts in 642 days
posted 549 days ago
Wow, finger joints in plywood. This is tough to do, but they came out nice looking.
-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com
Chip
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1058 posts in 573 days
posted 549 days ago
Beautiful Jeff. The joinery looks great. Keep this stuff coming please!
-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.
Jeff
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964 posts in 574 days
posted 548 days ago
Thanks!
Bill, it was challenging. Especially planing them flush after the glue up. The only way to go on that is a low angle block plane if you should ever want to.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
jockmike2
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4129 posts in 727 days
posted 548 days ago
Pretty cool, good use of space and it looks very nice. jockmike
-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com
Karson
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12893 posts in 881 days
posted 548 days ago
Great Storage jeff. As I’m looking at your picture, the drawers that are on the computer table that I’m working on have drawer fronts the same as yours. They were built by the previous owner of the house.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com
lclashley
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234 posts in 595 days
posted 540 days ago
I really like this design. I may steal it if you don’t mind. Most closet organizer projects I come across are either too complex, too big, or just don’t fit my needs. Something like your project may be perfect.
By the way, I enjoy your write-ups on your projects, caliper. They are quite informative.
PanamaJack
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4453 posts in 558 days
posted 540 days ago
Jeff, This is a great job. I have not seen finger joints with plywood, but this is as tight as I have seen. Keep up the great work.
-- Carpe Lignum - Seize The Wood,
Todd A. Clippinger
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2538 posts in 580 days
posted 502 days ago
Caliper,
I really like this project. I love the look that baltic birch creates. You can do some great modern/minimalist work with it. I love the simple drawers, same uncomplicated thought and design as the shaker bench drawers. I like working with BB myself.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Jeff
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964 posts in 574 days
posted 502 days ago
Thanks Todd. The first time I ever saw a 45 degree cut on the edge of BB board I was amazed. I had never know plywood could be so cool. Then I remembered, hey that’s what our desks and chairs were made of in grade school. Those things are tough! Thus, my desire to build with BB someday. Check that one off the list. :-)
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
trifern
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3967 posts in 248 days
posted 114 days ago
Great storage solution. I need to make something similar, thanks for the inspiration.
-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.