Armoire work station? (workshop in a box) - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

mcattardo · 10-19-2009, 11:45 PM

Hi all. I've been scrolling off and on for a while. Up until now, I've always managed to get at least a little dedicated space for a shop. I use my space to do a lot of tinkering in addition to small woodworking / home improvement projects.

I've been spoiled for the last couple years with a lot of space, but it appears to be coming to an end in a couple of months. I'm now faced with apartment living (possibly a larger complex setting). Ideally I would like to find a ground floor apartment or someplace with a garage, but am not going to count on that happening.

I've pretty much made up my mind to downsize drastically, but hope to keep my scroll saw, drill press and some basic hand and power tools. I'm thinking about making an armoire / wardrobe kind of thing to continue doing small projects. The case will be made mostly from 3/4" mdf and particle board that I will be removing shortly. Also planned is adding a 4' flourescent light to the top. I considered using a store bought one as a starting point but the 1/2" or so thickness doesn't inspire confidence. Also trying to recycle as much as possible and pack as many features into it as I can.

The anticipated footprint will be roughly 4' wide x 2' deep a stand around 6' tall. I plan on using some non marring casters for portability.
Another thought I had was to try to find a cheap enclosed utility trailer and making it into a workshop, but storage and powering it would be 2 major issues.

Any feedback or suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

Also, can anyone provide the overall front to back length of a Dewalt 788? I would like to keep future upgrade potential in mind. I'm happy with my little 16" VS Delta, but if there's a big enough difference in noise / vibration, it's a good excuse to upgrade LOL

wood-n-things · 10-20-2009, 01:12 AM

My dewalt is about 33 inches front to rear...Good luck on building your shop in a box..Sounds interesting.

SkipTooth · 10-20-2009, 03:23 AM

Sounds interesting! I like the idea, I just hope I am never confined to a small space. It sure makes you decide what is important and what you can do without. You could make some sort of swing out mount for the saw, to keep it within the 2' depth. That would give you at least 3.5' to play with on upgrades. Sure sounds like it will be heavy if you are using mdf! you could even manufacture some anti vibe elements into the swing out mount using just about anything rubber or silicone rubber. You can do it!
-SkipTooth

mcattardo · 10-23-2009, 02:02 AM

Thanks for the replies and measurement

Yeah, it's going to be a pig LOL I'm hoping the weight will help dampen vibrations. Not sure how the casters will play into it yet. I might make some sort of drop down feet or a separate base to get it of of them when it's in position. Either that or skip the casters and make a furniture dolly.

Bill Wilson · 10-23-2009, 01:43 PM

As already noted, 3/4" MDF & particle board is going to be heavy with a capitol H. Fine if it stays stationary, but you did mention portablility as a desired feature. Also, it's tough to join MDF/particle board because screws don't hold very well in the edges. (There are special screws available, made for this type of application. I believe they are called confirmat screws.) Again, not a huge deal if the piece stays stationary, but if you intend to move this around some, the racking stresses could cause problems at the joints.

All that said, you may want to consider 1/2" plywood. Edge banding and face framing with 3/4" solid wood will greatly increase its strength and will end up being lighter. I know you are trying to recycle existing material so the cost of this approach may be prohibitive, but possibly worth consideration.

Good luck!

mcattardo · 10-23-2009, 04:02 PM

Thanks for the input Bill. The portability aspect is basically moving it from here where I have room for a larger project, then to a more permanent location. There may be a temporary holdover in between. I'll also be going from home maintenance type of projects back to hobby stuff (scrolling, model railroading). If it all works out, I might start selling some scrollsawn items again.

Excellent points on the joinery aspect. I'm thinking all joints will use 2x2 cleats on the inside for support. Face framing was being considered for aesthetics, didn't think about adding strength with them.

Cost is definitely a factor at this point in time, but I will look into the ply / face framing method.

Thanks again everyone.

10-19-2009, 11:45 PM	#1
mcattardo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 3	Armoire work station? (workshop in a box) Hi all. I've been scrolling off and on for a while. Up until now, I've always managed to get at least a little dedicated space for a shop. I use my space to do a lot of tinkering in addition to small woodworking / home improvement projects. I've been spoiled for the last couple years with a lot of space, but it appears to be coming to an end in a couple of months. I'm now faced with apartment living (possibly a larger complex setting). Ideally I would like to find a ground floor apartment or someplace with a garage, but am not going to count on that happening. I've pretty much made up my mind to downsize drastically, but hope to keep my scroll saw, drill press and some basic hand and power tools. I'm thinking about making an armoire / wardrobe kind of thing to continue doing small projects. The case will be made mostly from 3/4" mdf and particle board that I will be removing shortly. Also planned is adding a 4' flourescent light to the top. I considered using a store bought one as a starting point but the 1/2" or so thickness doesn't inspire confidence. Also trying to recycle as much as possible and pack as many features into it as I can. The anticipated footprint will be roughly 4' wide x 2' deep a stand around 6' tall. I plan on using some non marring casters for portability. Another thought I had was to try to find a cheap enclosed utility trailer and making it into a workshop, but storage and powering it would be 2 major issues. Any feedback or suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Also, can anyone provide the overall front to back length of a Dewalt 788? I would like to keep future upgrade potential in mind. I'm happy with my little 16" VS Delta, but if there's a big enough difference in noise / vibration, it's a good excuse to upgrade LOL

10-20-2009, 01:12 AM	#2
wood-n-things Behave Yourself..I can't. Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Right here ---silly Posts: 4,471 Blog Entries: 1	My dewalt is about 33 inches front to rear...Good luck on building your shop in a box..Sounds interesting. __________________ The Mike One of them anyway. Don't be so open-minded. Your brains will fall out!

10-23-2009, 01:43 PM	#5
Bill Wilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 590	As already noted, 3/4" MDF & particle board is going to be heavy with a capitol H. Fine if it stays stationary, but you did mention portablility as a desired feature. Also, it's tough to join MDF/particle board because screws don't hold very well in the edges. (There are special screws available, made for this type of application. I believe they are called confirmat screws.) Again, not a huge deal if the piece stays stationary, but if you intend to move this around some, the racking stresses could cause problems at the joints. All that said, you may want to consider 1/2" plywood. Edge banding and face framing with 3/4" solid wood will greatly increase its strength and will end up being lighter. I know you are trying to recycle existing material so the cost of this approach may be prohibitive, but possibly worth consideration. Good luck! __________________ "I'm a white male, aged 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me! No matter how dumb my suggestions are."

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10-20-2009, 03:23 AM	#3
SkipTooth Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 11	Sounds interesting! I like the idea, I just hope I am never confined to a small space. It sure makes you decide what is important and what you can do without. You could make some sort of swing out mount for the saw, to keep it within the 2' depth. That would give you at least 3.5' to play with on upgrades. Sure sounds like it will be heavy if you are using mdf! you could even manufacture some anti vibe elements into the swing out mount using just about anything rubber or silicone rubber. You can do it! -SkipTooth

10-23-2009, 02:02 AM	#4
mcattardo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies and measurement Yeah, it's going to be a pig LOL I'm hoping the weight will help dampen vibrations. Not sure how the casters will play into it yet. I might make some sort of drop down feet or a separate base to get it of of them when it's in position. Either that or skip the casters and make a furniture dolly.

10-23-2009, 04:02 PM	#6
mcattardo Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 3	Thanks for the input Bill. The portability aspect is basically moving it from here where I have room for a larger project, then to a more permanent location. There may be a temporary holdover in between. I'll also be going from home maintenance type of projects back to hobby stuff (scrolling, model railroading). If it all works out, I might start selling some scrollsawn items again. Excellent points on the joinery aspect. I'm thinking all joints will use 2x2 cleats on the inside for support. Face framing was being considered for aesthetics, didn't think about adding strength with them. Cost is definitely a factor at this point in time, but I will look into the ply / face framing method. Thanks again everyone.