I took some inspiration from a server tower where you can place various units along a modular standardized vertical rail. I wanted to create stack of open bin shelves to be a catch all for whatever room it was in. I could picture it holding sports equipment, toys, games, books, tools, dry goods. So the bin shelf was designed to have holes drilled down both sides (pillars) and the bins would have matching holes. The top of the unit was an additional tray. I wasn’t sure what depth the tray would be, but I knew like the bins, I wanted the tray to bolt in with carriage bolts and be removeable.
Unlike some other ideas I draft, I actually built this to spec. Ended up using the carriage bolts as I thought but instead of fastening with nuts and washers, I used knobs instead. 5/16 machine carriage bolts, two for each bin. When the wood on some of the bins seemed too thin and fragile to hold a carriage bolt without marring or failure, I laser cut some plates to stick in there with exact square carriage bolt slot. This could have been solved a number of ways but I liked the idea of reinforcing it. Only problem is the plate protrudes on each side. Depending on what you store, a smoother side would be better.
Lastly I added hand holds in the back of the shelves for easier transport (not that I take it apart) and I added additional foot pads just to keep the main base feet off the ground. Things I would change though, definitely want to add that tray on top still and I’d extend the feet a little bit for just a small amount of stability so a kid couldn’t pull it down if trying to climb on it. It’s fairly stable but maybe 3/4 inch on both ends. Another option would be have the tray at the top and anchor it from there to the wall so it’s not dangerous in a playroom. I definitely encourage this method of modular shop furniture in case you want to add on or create different container shapes and standardizing them across your work area or even your entire property or house.
Looking at the photos of the finished unit, I realized I probably should paint this or at least stain it ebony or something. I still have pencil marks on it, so it’s very much a functional shop piece. Also I think doubling up on the plywood for the wall thickness of the side pillars is good, however I don’t like the exposed screws. Maybe tenons or dowels would have been best, it’s not like it needs to be completely taken apart. I still like the design, I think a shelf that has a front lip on it but with an angular front lets you access things easier while nothing falls out.
The unit is about 5′ tall and you could use any of the spare holes to mount all sorts of other things. As shop storage this isn’t for everyone because open bins collect dust. Making it again I’d probably go smaller and lighter and I think if the bins are smaller, then some wide L brackets could be enough to hold everything instead of drilling through the bins.
Things I learned from this project
- You can replace a 2×4 with doubled-up sheets of 3/4 inch plywood
- Bonus by using plywood you can change the lengths to get rabbet joinery for ‘free’
- The best bit to chamfer the inside of holes is the one used for metalworking
- making all the inner bins at the same time, then creating the frame after that means less chance of mistake
- If you’re not sure where you might put a piece of furniture into the future, make sure the bottom has material that is not going to get soaked with moisture, use rubber, plastic or metal for example.
- You can make your own knobs, but consider your time vs buying them, good grief
- Anything you can do to ensure you finish something, take that step
- Years later regrets aren’t as powerful as you might think
- Finish your pieces unless you’re sure they will always be shop furniture
- Wax and oil are good finishes if you really want to avoid stain or paint. Better something than nothing.
- Expect voids in plywood
- You likely won’t change stuff as often as you think (maybe never).
- You can always build another if you really need to make changes to it all the time.