I have recently added a new addition to my home. The bottom room of
the addition is intended to be a game room. With two small children
this translates into play room and means lots of toys everywhere.
In an effort to avoid this outcome, I am planning on creating a storage
"system" for one wall of the addition. The storage "system" would be
approximately 18' in length and 8' in height and 28" in depth.
I have developed a layout that includes a row of separated recesses on
the bottom to use as book/DVD/VHS shelf areas, with the main storage
areas--large cabinets with doors (27"x45" each)--above that, and a row
of curio display recesses above the main storage areas.
Part of the reason for attempting a custom design is that as part of
adding on the addition, we discovered that our house had no footer and
were forced to pour a concrete "berm" against the back of the existing
house. This berm protrudes into the new addition aproximately 12" for
a height of 2'. It is my best guess that attempting to modify stock
cabinetry would in the end be more expensive than building custom to
being with.
The second reason is that the right 4' of the storage "system" is going
to be false. The bookshelf and curio recesses will be present and
functional, but the storage cabinets in that area will be hiding HVAC,
plumbing, and electrical plant components.
My big concerns are:
- Making it look like furniture. Not a "wall 'o' wood".
- Making it not look over-powering. Commanding OK. Over-powering No.
- Make it at a reasonable cost.
I have some limited wood-working expereince and most importantly access
to a friend with lots more experience and ability.
I was contemplating creating the face frame from cabinet grade playwood
and then veneering. I did some reasearch with Rockler to determine the
likely costs of pre-made doors and they aren't too awful. I am
planning at this point to go with maple with a natural finish.
Any advice or ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Don
Wow!
Lots and lots of good advice!
To try and answer some of the questions:
Budget: I would really like to spend less than $5K on the project.
Tools: Woodworking friend has a 32'x20' barn (I helped design the
truss system) filled with tools. Table Saw, Planer, Jointer, Shaper,
Drill Press, etc, etc, etc...
- I seriously considered paint, and I might end up there, but I really
like the look of wood and am willing to spend more to get it.
- Any pre-made doors I might buy will be unfinished.
- I get what your saying about using using CG for the carcass and
solids for the face frame. On reflection and after putting a budgetary
stake in the ground, I agree that the faces should be made from solids.
- I didn't mention it but I have already gone through the monolithic
block construction to multiple componentized boxes. Good advice though
- I am leaning fairly heavily to pre-constructed doors to reduce
reliance on friend.
- Regarding the door sizes. I have it laid out on a scale drawing
something like this:
| door | door | | door | | acquarium | door | | door | door |
This has the first two doors butted together, a space, the third door,
a space, the aquarium, a space, the fourth door, a space, and the two
"false" doors on the end covering the HVAC stuff.
- I think the biggest thing that will help it avoid the wall 'o' wood
look that I am trying to avoid, may be varying the depth of the boxes.
If I made the two middle door cabinet boxes and the aquarium box
protrude 3" beyond the others this might help break it up. I would
love to do the same thing with the heights but I can't shorten the
"false" cabinets or they would not be hiding what they need to...
- I like the bench idea. Very intriguing. I think one of the things I
was considering would help break up the wall 'o' wood look would be the
open book cases at the bottom. This way there would be other colors
and textures available for view. Making the whole thing open though
defeats my wife's desire to make everything "disappear" when we have
company. :-) So I need the doors on the main cabinets.
- I made a scale visio drawing, but I am going to make a 3D CAD drawing
with Solidworks... That will help my wife as well. She's not good
with 2D interpretation.
- Yeah the kids are beyond chewing age! Just barely. But by the time
the addition is done they will be well out of it. :-(
Thanks again for the great ideas, information, and advice.
Once I get it drawn up in Solidworks I can create a 3D image and post
it.
On 11 Nov 2005 13:35:03 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>I have recently added a new addition to my home. The bottom room of
>the addition is intended to be a game room. With two small children
>this translates into play room and means lots of toys everywhere.
>
>In an effort to avoid this outcome, I am planning on creating a storage
>"system" for one wall of the addition. The storage "system" would be
>approximately 18' in length and 8' in height and 28" in depth.
>
>I have developed a layout that includes a row of separated recesses on
>the bottom to use as book/DVD/VHS shelf areas, with the main storage
>areas--large cabinets with doors (27"x45" each)--above that, and a row
>of curio display recesses above the main storage areas.
>
>Part of the reason for attempting a custom design is that as part of
>adding on the addition, we discovered that our house had no footer and
>were forced to pour a concrete "berm" against the back of the existing
>house. This berm protrudes into the new addition aproximately 12" for
>a height of 2'. It is my best guess that attempting to modify stock
>cabinetry would in the end be more expensive than building custom to
>being with.
>
>The second reason is that the right 4' of the storage "system" is going
>to be false. The bookshelf and curio recesses will be present and
>functional, but the storage cabinets in that area will be hiding HVAC,
>plumbing, and electrical plant components.
>
>My big concerns are:
>
>- Making it look like furniture. Not a "wall 'o' wood".
>- Making it not look over-powering. Commanding OK. Over-powering No.
>- Make it at a reasonable cost.
>
What size and style of cabinets do you plan to use, in contrast to how =
the rest of the
room finished will determine how it "looks" as a whole. I am not sure =
what would
differentiate your perception of "wall of wood" vs something else. =
However, having said
that, the only way I have ever been successful insuring something as =
large and complex a
shape is not an eyesore is to draw it to scale, even if it isn't a large =
drawing it will
give you the view of how it connects with the rest of the room. The =
first thing you might
notice is that are 27" x45" may appear more like part of a kitchen being =
that tall. With
small children why not consider making the first (lowest) cabinets more =
like a ledge that
has a lid that folds down providing both a storage cavity and a small but=
functional
"bench" 8" to 12" high and cantilevered out from between where the lower =
row meets the
next higher one.
>I have some limited wood-working expereince and most importantly access
>to a friend with lots more experience and ability.
>
>I was contemplating creating the face frame from cabinet grade playwood
>and then veneering. I did some reasearch with Rockler to determine the
>likely costs of pre-made doors and they aren't too awful. I am
>planning at this point to go with maple with a natural finish.
>
>Any advice or ideas would be much appreciated.
>
>Thanks!
>
>Don
Bottom line though if you want to see how it all looks together, a small =
perspective or
isometric drawing will usually be reasonably close to the real thing =
visually. Sounds
like a neat challenge, good luck, Joe.
Joe Brophy
CountryTech Computer
email: [email protected]
If you have access to a table saw you could make the cabinets fairly
easily.
If you wanted a less expensive alternative than ordering cabinet doors
you can make them yourself using cabinet grade plywood and installing
moulding to cover the edges. A good outside corner moulding would do
the trick and be the simplest design. You would need a miter saw to cut
the moulding. How you approach it may depend on what wood you really
want to use. I think I have seen maple plywood occasionally but I have
never used it. I normally use oak, birch, or ash cabinet plywood and
stain them lightly. If you painted the entire thing any paint grade
cabinet plywood would do the trick.
If you have access to an air compressor and finish nail guns and
staplers you could really speed up the process.
RonT
no helpfull advice here other then if the children are real small put your
dvd/cd/vhf's and books you want to keep nice atlest three feet off the
ground ifnot four or five...lol :)
Deborah
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have recently added a new addition to my home. The bottom room of
> the addition is intended to be a game room. With two small children
> this translates into play room and means lots of toys everywhere.
>
> In an effort to avoid this outcome, I am planning on creating a storage
> "system" for one wall of the addition. The storage "system" would be
> approximately 18' in length and 8' in height and 28" in depth.
>
> I have developed a layout that includes a row of separated recesses on
> the bottom to use as book/DVD/VHS shelf areas, with the main storage
> areas--large cabinets with doors (27"x45" each)--above that, and a row
> of curio display recesses above the main storage areas.
>
> Part of the reason for attempting a custom design is that as part of
> adding on the addition, we discovered that our house had no footer and
> were forced to pour a concrete "berm" against the back of the existing
> house. This berm protrudes into the new addition aproximately 12" for
> a height of 2'. It is my best guess that attempting to modify stock
> cabinetry would in the end be more expensive than building custom to
> being with.
>
> The second reason is that the right 4' of the storage "system" is going
> to be false. The bookshelf and curio recesses will be present and
> functional, but the storage cabinets in that area will be hiding HVAC,
> plumbing, and electrical plant components.
>
> My big concerns are:
>
> - Making it look like furniture. Not a "wall 'o' wood".
> - Making it not look over-powering. Commanding OK. Over-powering No.
> - Make it at a reasonable cost.
>
> I have some limited wood-working expereince and most importantly access
> to a friend with lots more experience and ability.
>
> I was contemplating creating the face frame from cabinet grade playwood
> and then veneering. I did some reasearch with Rockler to determine the
> likely costs of pre-made doors and they aren't too awful. I am
> planning at this point to go with maple with a natural finish.
>
> Any advice or ideas would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Don
>
> My big concerns are:
>
> - Making it look like furniture. Not a "wall 'o' wood".
Paint it? Seriously. That's usually heresy around here, but it would
simplify the process and allow you to use some less expensive material.
Oil/Alkyd.... none of that latex stuff.
> - Making it not look over-powering. Commanding OK. Over-powering No.
> - Make it at a reasonable cost.
> I have some limited wood-working expereince and most importantly access
> to a friend with lots more experience and ability.
Toolery.... what tolls do you have access to? You will need a table saw.
Cabinets can be made with other saws, but that would require additional
skill and experience to overcome not using the correct tool. Tell us more
about what you have access to.
To be dreadfully to the point.... whatr's your budget?
> I was contemplating creating the face frame from cabinet grade playwood
> and then veneering.
Huh? nomally people use CG Ply for a carcase and make the FF from solids. Do
you mean edge banding the plywood to make it look like solids? It's not
going to be as strong. Also dents and chips would be a serious concern
> I did some reasearch with Rockler to determine the
> likely costs of pre-made doors and they aren't too awful. I am
> planning at this point to go with maple with a natural finish.
IF you buy doors make sure that they are unfinished. I think it is very
unlikely that you would be able to match factory finish. Different finishes
age differently. You really want the same finish on the whole project.
> Any advice or ideas would be much appreciated.
>
Prototype prototype prototype!
If you can build one face frame cabinet you can make them all. Try building
something of smaller scale using the same techniques. Learn on that.
Componentize. Make multiple boxes that can be built separately.
Build an outfeed table for the table saw is there is not one already. Sheet
goods are heavy and difficult to manipulate. Good support makes for more
accurate and more safe cutting.
-Steve
"Don Gray" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Well I got a chance to draw it up with solidworks...
>
> I am aware that judicial use of molding and or trim would make a big
impact
> on the final product. Any suggestions are welcome.
>
> What do you think? Hideous? Awesome?
IMO a pretty good first stab.
FWIW, I would:
Keep the bump out, but only at one level (Door/aq/door, at the jutting out
3 inches, give or take)
Those bottom cavities will look like sH*t crammed with toys. How 'bout
drawers?
The aspect ratio on the doors seems a bit squat to me. Center rails or
adding a couple doors could make them more narrow.
My 2 cents,
Steve
> >
> > FWIW, I would:
> >
> > Keep the bump out, but only at one level (Door/aq/door, at the jutting
> > out
> > 3 inches, give or take)
> >
> > Those bottom cavities will look like sH*t crammed with toys. How 'bout
> > drawers?
> >
> > The aspect ratio on the doors seems a bit squat to me. Center rails or
> > adding a couple doors could make them more narrow.
> >
> > My 2 cents,
> >
> > Steve
> >
> >
>
> So I took all your advice and you're right it looks a lot better.
>
> What do you think about the budget? From what I can tell, even if I go
with
> manufactured doors, drawer fronts, and drawer boxes $5K seems like plenty
> assuming labor is free and that I'm leaving enough for 20 cases of beer.
:-)
$5K seems like way more than enough to me. I did my own kitchen cabs. (maple
CG ply carcases and solid doors solid face frames). I spent about $2000 for
materials excluding counters (something like 750- ply, the same for maple,
and about 500 for knobs, pills hinges and drawers slides.)
In fairness, I used this as an excuse to replace my planer and to buy the
cabinet saw that I would eventually buy anyway.
So I had a significant "tooling-up" expense
You appear have no more volume of cabinet than I did.
> It might be sacrilege around here, but I actually like the idea of
focusing
> on the carcasses and the face frame and farming out the other stuff. It
> makes it much more accessible and much less intimidating to a non-hardcore
> woodworker.
My only concern with premanufactured doors is that you might not be able to
make the rest of the design integrate perfectly. If you do it all yourself,
you have the same stock, same finish, edge treatments thoughout.
It's probably not that much of a concern/risk but I thought I would mention
it. Maybe you can keep that in mind when you choose a door design.
> This is also strikes me as MUCH LESS (based on the $20K bill for my
kitchen
> cabinets) than I would pay to have a cabinet company to make them for me.
>
Since we're way under budget can I get a 6-pack consultation fee? :-)
Don,
I had another thought on how to spend your money. This is a "tradition" for
which I have been on both ends. When asking a skilled buddy for significant
woodworking help. Buy the right tool for the job, then let them keep it when
the project is done.
Optionally, you can stipulate that you reseve the right to borrow it if
necessary at a later date.
After my BOL helped me frame my addition I let him leave with the compressor
and framing nailer. He earned every bit of that, and if I have a project
that requires it, I have no bones about asking to borrow it.
In this case, you will be making face frames. A Kreg pocket hole jig is
*the* tool for simplifying face frame construction. The K-2000 "pro pack" or
whatever the current iteration is called, is the one that you want to buy.
It costs around $130.
If your buddy does not already have one, buy him this, and subtract 5 cases
of beer.
Cheers,
Steve