Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Oct 23, 2006 03:28pm | #1

   If you've ever built any kind of cabinet with drawers, you're most of the way there.

   The trick to file drawers is to design from the inside out.  I usually do it like this:

   • Decide if you (she) want a standard file drawer - or lateral. 
   • Buy whatever kind of file hangers you'll want and assemble one of them.
   • Use the hanger to determine the inside dimensions (length, width, and depth) of the drawer boxes.
   • Decide on your drawer box material (I like 1/2" ply) and construction.
   • Buy your drawer glides.  (I like the side mounted, full extension glides).  You'll probably find that your glides require 1/2" clearance on each side and may need some top and bottom clearance as well.
   • Decide on a drawer front - either overlay or inset.

   At this point, you know the "envelope" you need for your file drawer(s) and can build whatever kind of cabinet does the job.

2. 
   MBerger | Oct 23, 2006 04:24pm | #2

   Fine Woodworking published an article on building a file cabinet in issue #87. It might be a little outdated style-wise but you could use the construction plans as a launchpad.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

3. 
   BG | Oct 23, 2006 06:52pm | #3

   Miller,
   I've built both (lateral/std.)as a newbie and pretty much followed Dave's process...it works. The style (panel) was similar to the picture Matt illustrated....mine is on casters. I did make the cases a bit deeper than necessary (3") to accomodate bricks if required to insure stablity...haven't needed them.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/23/2006 11:53 am ET by BG

1. 
   Dave45 | Oct 25, 2006 01:40am | #4

   To illustrate what I said in my earlier post, here's a picture of a desk I recently built.  The large pedestal was designed around the printer which went in the pull out tray at the top.  The bottom drawer has a lateral file hanger and a pretty large space for "junk" behind the files.

   The small pedestal was designed around the computer which is in another pull out tray and the drawer on top was just a way to use the remaining space.

   I do all my own design work and spend quite a bit of time talking to customers about what they want and how they plan to use the piece.  Once I have that info, I can do a design that meets their specific needs.

    

   
1. 
   miller | Oct 25, 2006 03:58am | #5

   That's a nice desk, thanks for the ideas.

2. 
   Patto | Oct 26, 2006 06:16am | #6

   Dave

   This computer stuff (and entertainment units) is a real design chalenge for me!!

   So, with the constant churn of computers in the average house, how do you allow for upgrades?

   This is a problem in my current thought process. I can't justify a high-capacity printer at home, and the home models are just like cheap power tools - replacing the ink cost 80% of the initial purchase price. So the outside form changes every year, the current screen forms look to last perhaps another 2 years, and I want to build a piece of furnmiture to house this for at least the next 30 years.

   Dave

   PS, nice piece

   Edited 10/25/2006 11:17 pm ET by Patto

1. 
   Dave45 | Oct 26, 2006 04:01pm | #7

   Patto-

   Unfortunately, I've had to give up trying to design things that meet today's needs and will meet whatever needs may pop up tomorrow..........or next week........or next year.  In the electronics/computer realm, my crystal ball seems to be permanently fogged up.  If it were a bit clearer, I would be filthy rich!! - lol.

   That desk, for instance, was designed around a specific printer/fax/scanner/copier.  The customer knows that a larger unit ain't gonna work and is ok with that. 

   Designing around the computer tower is a little easier.  Most of them are pretty similar in size and I always include plenty of room for air circulation.  Of course, if the customer dumps the tower and goes to a laptop, she will have a semi-useless "hole" in that pedestal.  If that happens, the pedestal could be modified to turn the space into drawers, or something.

   The desk I'm using right now was built about six years ago and has a space for one of those Belkin surge protectors that used to sit under a desktop computer.  When I got a new computer a couple of years ago, I changed to a different surge protector and wound up with an empty hole.  It's now home to random pieces of paper.

   When I began woodworking many years ago, I wanted to build stuff that would last for decades and be passed along as heirlooms.  I've done a few things that may achieve that goal, but the reality is that most people aren't looking for heirlooms.  They want solid, functional, and attractive pieces but they know that their needs and tastes will eventually change.  Todays "showpiece" will someday become a Goodwill contribution. - lol