| Project by Jeff | posted 965 days ago | 1270 views | 4 times 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
16 comments so far
MsDebbieP
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14160 posts in 1057 days
posted 965 days ago
it looks great, Jeff.
I love the look of the drawers and the “silent” movement will be appreciated for years to come.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
oscorner
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4572 posts in 1207 days
posted 965 days ago
Nice, tight finger/box joints, Jeff.
-- Jesus is Lord!
Wooder
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163 posts in 1082 days
posted 965 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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7654 posts in 1114 days
posted 965 days ago
Nice design and joinery. Great job!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
WayneC
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6013 posts in 993 days
posted 965 days ago
Very Functional.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
dennis mitchell
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3790 posts in 1210 days
posted 964 days ago
Best built part of the whole house.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Bill
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2561 posts in 1057 days
posted 964 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 988 days
posted 964 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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996 posts in 990 days
posted 963 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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7325 posts in 1143 days
posted 963 days ago
Pretty cool, good use of space and it looks very nice. jockmike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
Karson
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25802 posts in 1296 days
posted 963 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.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
lclashley
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243 posts in 1010 days
posted 956 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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4447 posts in 973 days
posted 956 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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5648 posts in 995 days
posted 917 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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996 posts in 990 days
posted 917 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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7894 posts in 663 days
posted 530 days ago
Great storage solution. I need to make something similar, thanks for the inspiration.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.