Project 10: Create a cubbie shelf for hardware storage.

2018-08-16

Objective:

To build a cubbie shelf for hardware storage.

I needed a shelf organizer to stack hardware such as hard drives, network switches, etc.

Only hand tools were used to build this hardware organizer. The shelf was made to fit into an existing shelf, 2 cubes high with each row having five 5.5" X 5.25" cubes and one 11.5" X 5.25".

Structure:

12 in. High

16 in. Deep

44.75 in. Wide

34 lbs Mass

Materials:

1. 15/32 4X8 BCX Plywood, Sanded. Cost $26.55

2. 4D BRT Finish Nail 1 lbs (539 pcs), use 15% of box. Cost $3.87 box.

3. Oil Based Paint. Cost $2.70.

3. Consumables (sand paper, tool wear&tear). Cost $5.00

4. Fuel Cost. Cost $5.00

Total cost of all materials used $40 USD.

Tools:

1. Makita 7 1/4 Circular Saw, est. cost $100

2. Makita 4 1/2 Angle Grinder, est. cost $69

3. Makita Orbiting Sander 5.0" VSP, est. cost $79

4. Ryobi Jig Saw, est. cost $69

5. Bosh 4 in. Jig Saw Blade, 8 teeth per inch, T111C, est. cost $1.71 ea.

6. Hammer 20 oz., framing est. cost $20.

7. 2x 4in C-Clamps., est. cost $12 ea.

8. 2x 8in C-Clamps., est. cost $15 ea.

9. 1x Dewalt Traditional Bar Clamp 12 in., est. cost $11 ea.

10. Aluminum Speed Square, est. cost $8

11. 25' Tape Measure, est. cost $10

12. 18" Stiff Ruler, est. cost $8

13. Empire 16" X 24" Steel Square, est. cost $7

14. Screw Driver, Slotted 5/16 , est. cost $6

15. 9" polycast torpedo level, est. cost $3

16. 48" Johnson structo-cast level, est. cost $ 9.98

17. Wood Chisel, est. cost $5

18. 8 in. Slip Ring Pliers, est. cost $9.97

19. 8 in. Long Nose Pliers, est. cost $ 5.17

20. 4.5" X 0.045" Cut Wheel, $2.75

21. Purdy 2.5" White Bristle 100% Natural, soft, est. cost 14.47

22. 2" Putty Knife, est. cost $7.97

23. Safety Knife, est. cost $6.98

24. Paint Spinner, $9

Total cost of all tools if all bought new for project is approximately $530 USD.

Design:

Note 1: Painting interior has to be completed prior to assembly.

Note 2: These do not have a backing board to allow more light and access.

Note 2: The product is overly sturdy for what it does. Next time I would keep the 1/2 outer walls and go with 3/8" plywood for the interior partitions. Be sure to reduce the nail size for the this as the 4D nails were already spliting the 1/2" plywood.

Photos:

Procedure

1. Cut all 1/2 plywood to length:

3x 16" X 43.75" long (for top, bottom, and interior horizontal partition)

2x 12" X 16" long (for sides)

5x 11" X 16" in. long (for vertical partitions)

2. To make notches make 2 cuts on either side using circular saw, and chisel out remaining wood.

3. Prime all wood surfaces. In this project chose not to finish paint.

4. Nail top, bottom and sides together using 1 nail approximately every 3 in. Make enough pencil guide markings to facilitate nailing using the steel square.

5. Check cubbie partition fit by assembling all partitions. Then insert partitions into the shelf.

6. Nail partitions to the shelf. Make enough pencil guide markings to facilitate nailing using the steel square. .

8. Finish paint the cubbie shelf if you chose to do so.

Conclusion

Time to install in selected location and fill cubbies with all your loose hardware.