Custom Cabinets, Shelves, Cases and Other Wooden Creations

Welcome to my site of custom-built wood creations. I will build items like this for you. This diverse collection includes cases, shelves, cabinets, stands, frames, doors and even beds. And they are all being used. None of these creations has been posed in a designer home; they are either shown installed or before being handed over to a family member. Some of those in use are dusty and a few even have cobwebs -- and you'll see how they look in a home with down-to-earth people responding to their own practical needs.

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For custom-made musical instruments, please visit my musical instruments page.

There is never enough storage. This unit was created to hold the CD/DVD storage from twelve years of recording sessions, radio shows, photography sessions, etc. The 21 drawers are 28 inches deep -- and the cabinet was full within a year. It is designed to look like an apothecary cabinet.

Drawers bind, especially when full, so this cabinet is started with full length, heavy runners.

The first drawer -- just a simple wooden box -- is tested many times to make sure it slides easily and straight, and does not slip sideways and bind.

The first rail is complete.

Heavy hardwood support pegs join the rails. Each piece is separately numbered, as this cabinet is built from available wood with slightly different tolerances. Note that there is a rug underneath now; the rest of this cabinet will be built in place.

Side panels bring the top and rails together. The top has been glued from several pieces of fir, then braced, and finally hand-sanded..

The drawer slide is tested over and over. For a cabinet that will be used heavily, ease is important.

Completed main frame. The drawers are built to fit into their own unique slots.

Side panels are finished and trim board added to the bottom.

Facing is added. At this point it's a formidable-looking structure, but CDs and DVDs are heavy when stored in envelopes rather than airy plastic jewel boxes. It's not overbuilt. Each drawer weighs in at 25 lbs. when full, making the cabinet's full gross weight about 750 lbs..

The cabinet is painted, and drawers built and slid into place. You can see it's already in use as a sub-studio!

Drawers are finished, painted -- and filled immediately.

CDs and DVDs are pulled from storage cartons and put into the drawers.

Standard rusted drawer pulls are installed and labels slipped in. It's now a full-blown storage and studio addition.