How to build a tool organiser cabinet

MitchellMc

Difficulty: Intermediate

Keep your tool boxes organised and easily accessible by building a tool organiser cabinet.

This seven-tiered cabinet is designed to store organisers for small tools. Inspiration for this project comes from Workshop member @fhk56's Workbench cabinets for organising tools.

As this project involves power tools, please follow all safety guidelines provided by manufacturers and use the recommended protective gear, including safety glasses and gloves.

Steps

Step 1

Measure and cut the MDF panel.

This seven-tiered cabinet is 720mm tall, 445mm wide and 300mm deep. It is designed to house five Tactix 405mm Organisers With 12 Standard Removable Tubs and two Tactix 405mm Organisers With 12 Deep Removable Tubs. You can adjust the number of tiers and the cabinet’s size according to your needs.

Measure and mark the MDF panel according to the following:

Three pieces measuring 60 x 1200 x 18mm for the cabinet’s rails
Two pieces measuring 300 x 1200 x 18mm for the cabinet’s sides.

You can use a mitre square to mark straight lines.

1.1 Cutting panel into segments.png

Step 2

Mark the locations for the rails.

Place one of the rail pieces upright on one of the side pieces. Mark the edge of the rail piece where it touches the side piece. You should have a line 18mm away from the edge of the side piece.

Now place a compartment organiser upright on that line, followed by an additional rail piece. Mark the edge of this rail piece on the side piece. Place another rail piece and another organiser after that line. Continue this process until you have placed all your organisers.

Place one final rail piece above the last organiser to provide a gap between the organiser and the top of the cabinet. Mark the edge of this piece.

2.1 Providing space for bottom piece..png 2.2 Spacing out containers..png 2.3 Marking shelf rail location..png 2.4 Marking location for top piece..png

Step 3

Cut the side pieces.

Transfer the marked locations onto your other side piece.

Now take your circular saw and cut along the marks made in the previous step. Do this for both side pieces. Don't forget to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and safety glasses.

Keep at least two offcuts while cutting the pieces. These will be used later.

3.1 Transferring rail locations onto other side piece..png 3.2 Cutting side piece to correct height..png 3.3 Render of cut segment and side panels.png

Step 4

Cut and glue the rail pieces.

Cut your three rail pieces into 290mm lengths. There will be twelve in total.

Apply the PVA glue to the edge of the first 290mm length. Place it upright on the second marked line from the bottom of the side piece.

Clamp in position and wipe away any excess glue using a cloth.

4.1 Measuring rail lengths..png 4.2 Render of segements cut into rail pieces..png 4.3 Gluing first rail piece in position.png 4.4 Clamping first rail piece in position.png 4.5 Removing excess glue..png

Step 5

Attach the rail pieces.

Flip the side piece over and pre-drill four evenly spaced holes through the side panel and into the rail piece. Countersink these holes with your bit.

Take your 60mm timber screws and attach the rail pieces to the side pieces. Continue this process until all the rails are attached.

You can also use two 70mm timber spacers in between each rail piece to expedite this process.

5.1 Pre-drilling side piece and rail piece..png 5.2 Countersinking holes..png 5.3 First rail fixed in postion..png 5.4 Render rail attached..png 5.5 Continuing rail attachment using spacer guides..png 5.6 Rail pieces attached.png 5.7 Render rail pieces attached..png

Step 6

Cut the top and bottom pieces.

Take the two offcuts from Step 3. Cut them into two pieces measuring 410 x 300mm each.

Place the top and bottom pieces between the side pieces. Pre-drill five holes through the side pieces into the top and bottom pieces. Do this for both sides of the cabinet. Countersink all holes.

6.1 Measuring and marking width of top and bottom pieces..png 6.2 Top and bottom pieces marked..png 6.3 Top and bottom pieces cut..png 6.4 Piece ready to be attached..png 6.5 Predrilling top and bottom pieces..png

Step 7

Attach the top and bottom pieces.

Apply glue to the ends of the top and bottom pieces.

Now screw through the side pieces into the top and bottom pieces to secure the cabinet together. Remove any excess glue.

You have now successfully built a tool organiser cabinet.

7.1 Glue applied to bottom piece..png 7.2 Attaching bottom piece..png 7.3 Attaching top piece..png 7.4 Render top and bottom attached..png 7.5 Finished.png 7.6 Finished 2.png

Materials

2400 x 1200 x 18mm MDF panel
8 x 60mm timber screws
PVA wood glue.

Tools

Hammer
Screwdriver
Drill driver
Circular saw
2.5mm drill bit
Cloth
Tape measure
Mitre square
Safety gear, including face mask and gloves.

Images

1.1 Cutting panel into segments.png 2.1 Providing space for bottom piece..png 2.2 Spacing out containers..png 2.3 Marking shelf rail location..png 2.4 Marking location for top piece..png 3.1 Transferring rail locations onto other side piece..png 3.2 Cutting side piece to correct height..png 3.3 Render of cut segment and side panels.png 4.1 Measuring rail lengths..png 4.2 Render of segements cut into rail pieces..png 4.3 Gluing first rail piece in position.png 4.4 Clamping first rail piece in position.png 4.5 Removing excess glue..png 5.1 Pre-drilling side piece and rail piece..png 5.2 Countersinking holes..png 5.3 First rail fixed in postion..png 5.4 Render rail attached..png 5.5 Continuing rail attachment using spacer guides..png 5.6 Rail pieces attached.png 5.7 Render rail pieces attached..png 6.1 Measuring and marking width of top and bottom pieces..png 6.2 Top and bottom pieces marked..png 6.3 Top and bottom pieces cut..png 6.5 Predrilling top and bottom pieces..png 7.1 Glue applied to bottom piece..png 7.2 Attaching bottom piece..png 7.3 Attaching top piece..png 7.4 Render top and bottom attached..png 7.5 Finished.png 7.6 Finished 2.png