Classic Oak Tool Cabinet

sprague lake, estes park, colorado, 09.19.2004

Classic Oak Tool Cabinet It had been a long winter and I decided to build a project just for me. I really needed a place to organize hand tools and smaller power tools. When I first saw this tool cabinet in Woodsmith magazine I knew I had to build it someday. The finish schedule i used was: - lockwood #144 (early american maple, golden amber) water-based dye mixed 1 lb. in 4 gals. - 1.5# cut of blonde shellac (zinsser sealcoat) sanded lightly with 400. - varathane golden oak oil-based stain. - 3 coats of waterlox original sealer/finish. - 1 coat of a 50/50 mixture of waterlox original sealer/finish and satin.
The cabinet is made out of rift-sawn red oak with quarter-sawn drawer fronts and door panels. The carcase is 7/8" thick solid oak, 48" high and 36" wide . The drawers and trays are made out of baltic birch plywood.
The plans used screws with false tenons to cover them. I decided to use miller dowels and think it gives a classy look to the sides.
I also used miller dowels on the top to attach the divider.
The drawer slides are 18" full-extension. The top drawers are 75# slides and the other drawers 100#.
The trays also use 100# slides.