It is time to get the shop more organized, and since the heart of the shop is my table saw, I decided to start there and build a cabinet under the wing to store all the things I need while working on the saw.
It is made from alder for the case, Cherry for the drawer fronts, and walnut for the accent.
Each drawer is compartmentalized to fit the things I need.
Here is how I built it in 5 videos
1st Video: How to Build a Table Saw Cabinet
In this video, we’ll show you how to build a custom table saw cabinet that’s both functional and stylish. This cabinet is designed to fit flush with your table saw, providing extra storage space for your tools and jigs. It also features adjustable shelves and drawers to keep everything organized.
Before You Begin
There are a few things to consider before you start building your cabinet:
- The size of your table saw: Make sure the cabinet is the right size to fit your table saw comfortably. You’ll also need to take into account the clearance you need for the table saw fence and blade.
- Your storage needs: Decide how many drawers and shelves you need and how big they should be.
- Your budget: Solid wood is more expensive than plywood, but it’s also more durable. Choose the material that’s right for you.
Materials
- Solid wood or plywood
- Dado blade
- Router and flush trim bit
- Pocket hole jig (optional)
- Drawer slides
- Shelf pins
- Glue
- Screws
- Nails
- Edge banding (optional)
Tools
Purposeful Design:
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- I prioritized functionality and convenience in the design: The cabinet was set up to be flush or nearly flush with the table saw, providing ample working space without the risk of interference. To address potential issues with over-extension glides, for the top drawers, I decided against drawers and opted for shelves. This proved to be practical, allowing easy access to frequently used tools like dado blades and not having them blocked by the overhang of the table saw.
- Practical Tool Storage: Rather than opting for custom inserts that may become obsolete with tool changes, I chose to keep tools such as the Dado blade in their original cases. This decision allows for flexibility as I won’t have to rebuild insets to match the new tools as older tools wear out over time. The cabinet conveniently holds dado blades, cutters, shims, and a chart within arm’s reach for quick access while working.
- Drawer vs. Shelf Considerations: Each drawer and shelf serves a specific purpose. Drawers accommodate tools and jigs, while shelves offer adjustable storage. The top drawer is dedicated to jig-making supplies, reflecting my custom furniture-making needs. The adjustable shelves provide adaptability for different-sized jigs or potential use as a table saw sled storage space.
Building the Cabinet:
- Material Choice: Given the current high cost of plywood and a preference for ease of handling, solid wood was chosen for the cabinet construction.
- Adding Edge Banding: Walnut edge banding was added to enhance the cabinet’s appearance. The process involved gluing 3/8-inch strips onto the face of each panel, with careful attention to alignment and clamping pressure.
- Web Frame Construction: Web frames were incorporated for added rigidity, ease of drawer glide alignment, and protection against sawdust infiltration. The video demonstrates the step-by-step process of cutting and assembling the web frames.
- Adjustable Shelves and Drawer Supports: For the side with adjustable shelves, the builder used a jig with a half-inch collar to create holes for shelf pins. This allows flexibility in organizing tools of various sizes. The lower frame was assembled using a tongue and groove joint for stability.
- Toe Kick and Cabinet Attachment: A toe kick was added for aesthetic appeal, attached with glue and brad nails. For additional stability, support brackets were installed, and the cabinet was attached to the table saw using screws.
- Final Adjustments: The video showcases final adjustments to ensure the table is in line with the saw. Shims were added for proper support, and the guide rail for the fence system was accommodated.
Tips
- Use a sacrificial fence when routing the edge banding to protect your main fence.
- Pre-drill all of your holes before screwing or nailing anything together.
- Use clamps to hold everything together while the glue dries.
- Take your time and measure carefully to ensure that your cabinet is square and level.
With a little bit of planning and effort, you can build a custom table saw cabinet that will make your workshop more organized and efficient.
2nd Video: Building The Drawer Boxes
In this video, we’ll explore the process of constructing durable and straightforward drawers using a locking rabbet joint. The key to the strength of these drawers lies in the meticulous crafting of this joint, coupled with reinforcement from K&S Metals. Special thanks to K&S Metals for sponsoring this project!
Step 1: Milling the Lumber To ensure square and high-quality drawers, start by milling the lumber. The drawer box, made from half-inch material, promises durability and ease of construction. Join an edge, rip the other parallel on the table saw, and square up the ends.
Step 2: Determining Drawer Size The size of the drawers depends on the chosen opening mechanism. Measure the length based on the selected drawer glide system. The tutorial uses a Bloom under-mount drawer glide, and the drawer size is set to 21 inches.
Step 3: Cutting the Locking Rabbet Joint For the locking rabbet joint, cut a dado in the sides of the drawers. The depth is set at an eighth of an inch to enhance strength and prevent fragility in the joint. Test the fit with a sacrificial piece before cutting the actual pieces.
Step 4: Cutting Drawer Bottoms Prepare the bottoms of the drawers by cutting a half-inch thick dado to accommodate the under-mount drawer glide. A quarter-inch deep dado, set a half-inch away from the table saw fence, ensures a snug fit.
Step 5: Pre-finish the Inside. Before assembly, pre-finish the inside of the drawers with shellac for a durable and odor-free interior. This step makes it easier to finish the inside before putting the drawers together.
Step 6: Gluing and Assembling the Drawers Apply glue to both surfaces and assemble the drawer pieces, ensuring a square fit. Use the dado and rabbet joints to connect the sides, fronts, and backs. Allow the drawers to dry, ensuring they are square during the process.
Step 7: Reinforcing with K&S Metals To reinforce the drawers, use K&S Precision Metals telescoping rods with wooden dowels for a decorative touch. Drill holes in the sides of the drawers and insert the reinforced rods, creating a sturdy construction.
Step 8: Building Drawer Fronts Construct the drawer fronts by milling, squaring, and cutting the lumber to size. Create frame and panel drawer fronts with tenons on the rails and tongues on the panels for a secure fit.
Step 9: Finishing the Drawer Fronts. Pre-finish the drawer fronts to ensure a consistent look and protect against potential wood movement. Assemble the frame and panel fronts, ensuring a flush fit.
Step 10: Installing Drawer Glides Use a dedicated guide for installing Bloom drawer glides, ensuring a smooth and precise installation.
Step 11: Mount Drawer Fronts. Attach the drawer fronts using a spacer and clamps to maintain consistent alignment. Secure the fronts with glue and screws, ensuring a strong and reliable connection.
Building strong and simple drawers involves careful craftsmanship, precise measurements, and the right materials. With a locking rabbet joint and reinforcement from K&S Metals, you can create drawers that are not only functional but also visually appealing. Follow these steps for a successful drawer construction project, and enjoy the satisfaction of well-crafted furniture in your home.
3rd Video: How to Install Under Mount Soft Close Drawer Glides
How to Install Blum Undermount Soft-Close Drawer Slides
Installing Blum under-mount soft-close drawer slides can seem complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s actually quite easy. This blog post will walk you through the entire process, from figuring out the size of your drawer box to attaching the slides to your cabinet.
What You’ll Need:
- Blum Tandem Plus BlumOTION drawer slides
- Blum T-65 jig (optional, but highly recommended)
- Drill
- Drill bits (including a stop collar)
- Phillips screwdriver
- Screws
- Tape measure
- Square
Step 1: Determine the size of your drawer box.
The drawer slides have specific size requirements for your drawer box. For this example, we’ll be using slides designed for a half-inch thick drawer box.
- Measure the height of your cabinet opening.
- Subtract 13/16 inches from the measurement to determine the height of your drawer box.
- Measure the width of your cabinet opening.
- Subtract 5/8 inches from the measurement to determine the width of your drawer box.
Step 2: Attach the locking devices to your drawer box.
The locking devices allow you to adjust the drawer’s height and side-to-side tilt.
- Make sure the drawer box bottom is recessed half an inch to accommodate the locking devices.
- Attach the locking devices to the bottom of the drawer box according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 3: Drill holes for the drawer slide pins.
- Use the Blum T-65 jig to ensure accurate drilling.
- Set the jig’s stops to the correct depth for your drawer box thickness.
- Place the jig on the side of the drawer box and drill the hole for the pin.
- Repeat on the other side.
Step 4: Attach the drawer slides to the cabinet.
- The slides have a slot that corresponds to a bracket included in the kit.
- You can either use this bracket to screw the slides to the back of the cabinet or use the side-mount screw holes to mount them directly to the cabinet sides.
- For this example, we’ll use the side-mount method.
- Position the slide in the cabinet, ensuring it’s level and the correct distance from the front edge (usually 1/8 inch).
- Use a self-centering drill bit to drill pilot holes and then screw the slide into place.
- Repeat on the other side.
Step 5: Test the fit of the drawer.
- Pull out the locking devices on the drawer slides.
- Place the drawer on the slides and push it in until it clicks into place.
- Make sure the drawer opens and closes smoothly.
Step 6: Attach the drawer front.
- Once you’re happy with the fit, you can attach the drawer front according to your chosen method.
Tips:
- If you don’t have the Blum T-65 jig, you can carefully measure and mark the drill points, but the jig will save you time and ensure accuracy.
- Use a chamfer bit to widen the hole for the drawer slide pin slightly. This will make it easier to insert the pin.
- If you’re having trouble getting the drawer to fit level, you can adjust the height of the locking devices.
- Blum also offers a variety of other drawer slide options, so be sure to choose the ones that are right for your project.
With a little patience and these easy steps, you can install Blum under-mount soft-close drawer slides and enjoy the smooth, quiet operation they provide.
4th Video: Building Nesting Drawer Boxes and Inserts
Are you tired of rummaging through messy drawers to find the tools and accessories you need? If so, you’re not alone. In this video, we’ll explore a creative solution to this common problem – building custom nesting boxes that fit seamlessly into your drawers.
Organizing Chaos:
The video begins with a relatable scene – a messy drawer that needs serious organization. The creator sets out to build drawer inserts to streamline the chaos and make finding tools a breeze. The first step is to create a slide for the top tray, ensuring easy access to items stored below.
Tailored to Your Needs:
As a custom furniture maker, I emphasize versatility as every project is unique, and the need for different sizes and layouts of drawer inserts arises frequently. This highlights the importance of customization in creating efficient storage solutions.
Jigs and Clamps:
I use jigs and toggle clamps to secure workpieces during construction. So I wanted to be sure I had those at hand in a dedicated space, so many of the boxes are sized to fit the various clamps I use when creating jigs.
Design and Construction:
Using a template, I lay out the compartments within the drawer, ensuring a well-organized and visually appealing result. The construction involves cutting, fitting, and creating a grid structure to hold the contents securely.
Precision Fit:
Attention to detail is key, as demonstrated by the precision fit of the components. The creator ensures that the top tray can slide smoothly without any interference. An ample amount of past wax applied to the top rails guarantees a flawless sliding mechanism.
Top Tray Design:
The top tray is designed with functionality in mind, featuring a shorter length for easy sliding back and forth. This design allows for convenient access to items at the front, back, and middle of the tray, demonstrating the practicality of the nesting box concept.
Assembling the Inserts:
In the video, I break it down step by step. From gluing the bottom part first to constructing the sides and creating dado joints, the creator provides a comprehensive guide to building these customized drawer inserts.
Test Fits and Final Assembly:
Test fits are conducted to ensure that all components align perfectly. I emphasize the importance of leaving room for adjustments and offer solutions for preventing sliding using friction fit and minimal adhesive.
Finishing Touches:
Before final assembly, I pre-finish the inside faces for a smoother and more efficient finishing process as opposed to waiting until it is all assembled to finish hard-to-reach drawer insides. The final assembly involves gluing the components together, sanding, and adding a decorative touch to reinforce the miters.
Crafting nesting boxes for your drawers brings order to chaos. You can create customized drawer inserts tailored to your specific needs. Say goodbye to clutter and hello to an organized, efficient workspace.
5th Video: Building Table Saw Blade Sorters.
In this video, I completed my table saw cabinet but took it a step further. The focus is on outfitting the drawers with custom inserts to organize saw blades and jig-making tools neatly.
Building the Support Structure:
The bottom drawer is designated for saw blades. I created a support structure that allows the blades to stand upright without flopping back and forth during drawer movement. An angle finder is used to determine the optimal tilt for the blades, ensuring easy access while preventing any mishaps during retrieval.
Creating Side Rails for Dividers:
I built side rails that will slide into the drawer, each containing saw kerfs to hold hardboard dividers. To maintain uniformity, I set up a jig to cut the side rails at a precise 90-degree angle. The dividers, made from leftover eighth-inch hardboard, will be spaced according to the desired two-inch increments for efficient organization.
Adjusting Design for Practicality:
A design change is implemented mid-cut. I decided to vary the spacing between dividers. The front half of the drawer will feature a two-inch spacing for frequently used blades, while the back half adopts a one-inch spacing for less frequently used blades. This adjustment optimizes space and accessibility based on the frequency of tool use.
Tapering Jig for Blade Tip:
Recognizing the initial angle may be too steep, I modified the design to provide a shallower angle for the blades to tip back. A tapering jig is employed to make the necessary cuts, ensuring consistency by cutting one side with the curves facing up and the other with curves facing down.
Creating a Router Jig for Dividers: To prevent interference while reaching into the drawer, a router table jig is crafted to flush cut the dividers. This ensures a smooth surface without the need for excessive material removal, balancing efficiency and precision.
Final Touches and Considerations:
The dividers, now ready for installation, are tested for fit and function. I suggest spacing them one inch apart for enhanced accessibility, particularly for those with larger hands. While this design might not see frequent adjustments, the creator acknowledges the possibility of revisiting the spacing for future optimization.
The process demonstrates thoughtful consideration of spacing, angles, and practicality to achieve an organized and efficient storage solution for saw blades. DIY enthusiasts can draw inspiration from this project to enhance their own workshop organization and workflow.
