Assembly table for Dan

This was another project for Mission Community Woodshop. The idea was to make a shared assembly table for project glue-ups and other activities. We wanted a large 3x5' table top and ample storage underneath for glue, weights, drafting utensils, clamps, paper, and other items.

Design

I'd never made a cabinet of any kind before, so this was new to me. I stressed about the strength, while also wanting through-storage. I settled on a simple design with a partial I shape (made by a plywood panel running from one side to the center divider behind the drawers).

Carcass

I learned that doing such a large-scale glue-up alone, in the sun, is not a wise idea. I wasn't able to wrestle the carcass to perfect square and, in retrospect, I wish I had designed the cabinet as two simpler, smaller, boxes.

Drawers

For drawers, I decided to try butt joints reinforced with small dominos and a groove for the bottom panel. Since I was using under-mount drawer slides, I trimmed off the bottom part of the back panel as well. This technique worked well overall, and I'd consider doing it again.

I would absolutely pre-drill a 32mm hole pattern on the cabinet next time. Installing drawer slides without pre-drilled holes was not fun at all.

Finishing

I used Osmo Polyx-Oil 3051 Raw to finish the cabinet and drawers while maintaining the existing color of the baltic birch plywood. I can see why people buy pre-finished plywood and I think I will next time (or at least pre-finish full panels myself). Sanding, applying finish to boxes, and subsequently buffing everything was a real chore.

Table top

After a long and unsuccessful search for some kind of good-looking and affordable stone, and then after considering making a top with MDF and ¼" hardboard, we decided to use an old table top that was leaning against the wall of the shop. It has such a wonderful patina and almost looks like leather!

Result

I'm generally happy with how this turned out. Since it was my first cabinet project, I learned so many basic lessons along the way. Make your boxes dead square. Join smaller boxes together to make larger cabinet assemblies. Pre-finish. Pre-drill shelf pin and drawer slide holes. Inset drawers and doors might be more trouble than they're worth. And more. To learning!