Over the 2020 Christmas holiday, I started a shop cleanup and re-organization. One thing I really needed was more storage in general. The workbench originally just had a single shelf underneath, which was a poorly utilized space and had turned into a catch-all for all kinds of junk. I decided to start there and build a slide-in cabinet with a set of drawers.
I knew that I did not want to use any handle hardware that I would bang my knees on, so I needed some kind of recessed pull. I also wanted an underhand pull so that falling sawdust wouldn't find its way into the drawers. Scouring the internet for ideas, I ran across this mid-century credenza, which provided the inspiration I needed: The carcass was built from 3/4" birch ply, assembled with pocket screws. The drawer boxes were from 1/2" birch ply, with full extension slides.
The front of the carcass is edged with some cherry.
This was a bit of a lipstick-on-a-pig project since the workbench is not great, but it's served its purpose over the years. Here I was test fitting the cabinet under the bench. It sets on a simple 2x4 ladder that rests on the ground.
The drawer fronts were made from MDF, edged and veneered with anigre (chosen because I had both on hand). The veneer was applied after the recessed pull was routed. Here's one of the drawer fronts and the template that I used to cut the cove on the back side of the pulls.
I used some double-sided tape to keep the template in place while routing the cove.
Testing fitting the drawer fronts after applying the veneer.
The drawer fronts got a couple coats of Odie's Oil. The remainder of the components received a couple coats of water-borne poly.
I used some flat black paint on the exposed front of the drawer boxes to provide the dark background behind the pull opening. The painted surfaces got a coat of matte poly to finish them off.
Ready for install
Installed!
The workbench storage project was shortly followed-up with a matching hanging cabinet for cordless drills with drawers for bit storage.
This was a satisfying project and it was nice to finally have a dedicated place for storage that was close to hand while working at the bench. Given how much other stuff I have that still needs a home, I can imagine making some additional storage cabinets like these in the future.
Really nice Ross but be careful, I’ve been given grief about pretty shop furniture a couple of times. Seriously, great use of space and pretty to boot. It will make you smile when you turn on the lights.
The early bird gets the worm but its the second mouse that gets the cheese.
Thanks, all. Shipwright - I would only need to open the drawers and show the current contents to stave off comments about pretty furniture. Drawer organization is yet another project for me to tackle.
Nicely done! I put up a shelf unit made of stuff I had laying around the "shop". Some of it is nicely shellacked drawers, some of it is melamine on particle board, some is plywood. It is strictly functional. I have some shame, so it's not going to be posted. Mainly because the "furniture" in my "shop" is temporary, to a large extent.
I do too! I've just finished a new cart for the CNC machine, which was long overdue. It's currently more "function over form", but I do plan to add some drawers to it so I will get a chance to put lipstick on a pig. :)
