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Plans for a filing cabinet anyone?

2K views 17 replies 6 participants last post by  GCM 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have been searching for more than a year now for a plan for a wooden filing cabinet THAT DOES NOT USE PLYWOOD without much success. I started off building a prototypical MDF version but found it to be way too heavy (even when modularising it into stackable drawers).

I could use pine project panels but that would be almost as expensive as using plywood.

Ideally the construction material would be pine DAR and pine lining boards ('planks' I think they are called in the US). This is a material combination commonly used on the Anna White site but surprisingly there is not a lot on the site regarding filing cabinets and the small amount that is there uses… plywood.

A "rustic" look would be very appropriate.

If anyone is aware of such a "beastie" I would appreciate the heads up.

Cheers,

Gary
 
#5 ·
@KayBee

Thanks Karen, yes the frame and panel method is an alternative I have considered (in fact whatever I end up with will be some form of that). To be honest my MDF prototype was of that format, it was still too heavy and it just didn't look right somehow. I actually use that as a base for my small band saw now. Certainly use frame construction with some kind of bead board is my fall back position at this stage - I worry about "drumming" with this approach however.

@Paul

Thanks Paul, the reason I wish to avoid plywood is because we pay around 3 to 4 times the price for it than do those who live in North America or Europe. Your method (lamination) is one that I go to time and time again and it is a great solution, however this time when I grind out the calculations I find it is slightly more expensive to do it that way (using pine) than to use plywood (A/C pine).

I need to churn out at least 3 of these and using plywood or laminated solid wood when you include slides finish screws etc comes out around $400 each - I can actually BUY them cheaper than that.

In any case If I am going to spend $1200 on something I want to be sure that I have selected the best possible option, in particular, although I don't always use or need plans, in this case I don't want any whoopsies, so I am grateful for ALL suggestions.
 
#7 ·
Is this project for you or on commission? I made a couple of filing cabinets last year - big ones too at 34 and 30 inches - for my home office. I figure they cost all in about $200 or less using plywood from the box stores and slides from amazon at about $6/pair. Is it really twice as expensive where you are?
 
#8 ·
@TooliganGalloot
Very good point about the the weight of the base and back for stability

@doitforfun

> "s this project for you or on commission?"

For my home office.

>"Is it really twice as expensive where you are?"

No! it's 3-4 times + shipping, and our box stores only have BC construction grade plywood, although I could get some so-so marine grade plywood for about $220 a sheet (inc shipping) - the design I have in mind would take around 1-1/2 sheets (roughly).

The slides cost around $25 a pair here, although they are just ordinary kitchen drawer type slides (45 kg/90lbs) - heavy duty full extension tend to be dearer - I don't actually know what I should get there yet - what type did you use? (especially load bearing capacity).

What type/grade of plywood did you use?
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
#12 ·
Wow that is very expensive. I just looked up the exchange rate and it's almost even $1 us at $1 aud so yeah that is extremely expensive. How is raw lumber pricing compared to plywood? There must be some native species that's relatively inexpensive and may complement your home better.
 
#14 ·
@doitforfun (Brian)
"Wow that is very expensive. I just looked up the exchange rate and it's almost even $1 us at $1 aud so yeah that is extremely expensive. How is raw lumber pricing compared to plywood? There must be some native species that's relatively inexpensive and may complement your home better."

Unfortunately our native species tend to be even more expensive as all indigenous species are very heavily protected by a minority party called "The Greens" who have held the balance of power in our senate for decades. I can assure you that, per capita, we have more "useful" trees in this country than you do in the US - we are just not allowed to use them.

Our cheapest readily available species is actually an imported species from North America which grows readily in plantations - and that is Radiata Pine. If by "raw" you mean rough sawn I must add it is generally not available in that format.

As an indication a 184×19mm x 1.2m DAR is $7.60 - for you convenience converting that to your "nominal" size system that would be 8" x 1" x 48" (roughly).

This material is relatively knot free, attractive, and easy to work, but is incredibly soft - you only have to glance at it and it dents. Interestingly, I have just discovered that even that is imported from New Zealand - LOL.

The nearest to that is a hardwood we call Tasmanian Oak and it is about 4 times the price of the pine.

I can get a "plank" of pine lining 120mm (4 3/4") x 12mm ( 1/2") x 2.4 m (8') for about $4.40.
 
#15 ·
"Also, I like Paul's idea above. Anyway, side panels may interfere with drawer slide installation, depending on how you construct the box."

Yes, that's a possibility - in fact it will be mandatory for part of the project at least - but as I say doing it that way for the whole project would end up being more expensive than I could buy it from a furniture shop.

I used that technique for the chest of drawers you can see in my gallery.

The point you make about the panels interfering with slides is well made and is really the main reason for me posting the question - I am trying to avoid that possibility by obtaining a proven plan - not reinventing the wheel by mistakes - so to speak.
 
#16 ·
I think the important thing is what you said earlier about being able to buy cabinets for less than you can make them. I think it really depends on the purpose and how they will be used. Of course you can go to IKEA and buy something that will provide utility. But can it compare - at any price - to something beautifully hand crafted by your own hands? That's a cost-benefit decision only you can make.
 
#17 ·
Hmmm, not sure what your point there is Brian, but my MAIN objective in building my own furniture is to save money on a like for like basis, whether it is a handcrafted or not. There is no point in having a house full of beautifully handcrafted furniture made by one's own hand if one starves to death because one can no longer afford to eat. Now, I fully understand that in North America the economics of woodworking is relatively unimportant as you have access to very affordable materials, however, for me it is VERY important. I obviously don't expect you to have any sympathy for that, and I am not asking for any, my previous posts were merely in response to the obvious question of why I have discarded the possibility of using plywood, in particular. It is an economic decision, and I was simply inviting suggestions for alternative construction techniques that might, hopefully, be more cost effective for me. I enjoy woodworking but for me it is a practical pastime not an "art for art sakes" pastime. Thanks for your input.
 
#18 ·
Ok, after being overwhelmed with plans (yes I jest) I have bitten the bullet and started a design of my own - construction and style is unashamedly lifted from Ana White's site. Alas for me, the only filing cabinet she has on her site uses - you guessed it - plywood. However there are many cabinets etc that use the style that I am currently running with.

Thanks all who commented, suggested, etc, if you have any suggestions, tips, recommendations, etc to make on the first iteration please fell free to do so.

http://lumberjocks.com/GCM/blog
 
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