Klackey Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 So, I am planning out some shop storage and I wanted to see what you guys thought about drawers vs shelves. I assume that I will end up with a combination, but what do you prefer to store in cabinets vs drawers. I am trying to over think this so that I don't build a whole bunch of stuff and then immediately regret my decisions. Thanks, Kyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Both is the simple answer. They both have pros and cons. Open shelving collects dust (especially in a woodshop) and drawers make things difficult to find. However both allow you to store equipment, supplies etc in an organized way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Sorry Terry, can you explain that 'organized' word - I don't understand it Back on topic, for me the problem with drawers is that they can quickly become a dumping ground for stuff. Having said that, if you create drawers with internal fittings designed for a particular purpose (router bits for example) then they're not going to suffer that problem. In an ideal world I think I'd tend towards shelves but with glass doors on the cabinets to mitigate the dust problem while still letting me see the contents. Of course you then have the problem of cleaning all that glass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I have both. I like shelves for containers of fastners. One thing I've noticed with drawers is that they are generally over deep. If you're building them then you can take this into account and make more shallow drawers. I've found more shallow drawers is much better than a couple deep drawers. It helps keep the piling in each drawer down. And, there is always wasted vertical space in deep drawers since I hardly ever fill that space with anything. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Take a look at the situation in your kitchen (or maybe it's only mine). There are items in our cabinets that we haven't seen in years back in the back. When we remodeled the kitchen a few years back, the cabinet maker suggested several deep drawers instead of some cabinets w/ shelves that I had planned. These have worked great. But then again, just like you wouldn't put your drinking glasses in a drawer, there are things in your shop such as stains and solvents that make more sense to store on shelves. When organizing my shop/garage, I used the kitchen as a lesson, and studied the items/tools, etc. that I had and used a combination of both. I agree with Terry, and I also don't think you are over thinking this. A little planning now will not be regretted later. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Cancelleri Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I like drawers for things like my tormek jigs, drill guides, sanding blocks, sandpaper, I reserve shelves/cabinets for glues, finishes, solvents, tool cases, big jigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I have ocd when it comes to the shop. Cant stand anything on the floor like base cabinets. All tables have to be on legs. I'll add a drawer here and there under a table depending on what the table is used for. Wall cabinets have to be hung above my eye level. The biggest thing for shop organization is not to be a tool junkie or hoarder. I hate walls of clamps they drive me nuts. I keep my clamps in the shed tossed in a barrel and only keep what is needed maybe 10 or so at a time in the shop. No shelves everything has to go behind doors. Dont get me started on wood scraps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Personally, I hate shelves for storing any tools. Nothing worse that grabbing a tool and having to start by blowing all the dust off of it. I prefer cabinets and drawers. I find I'm better organized and my shop tends to stay a little cleaner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 Drawers? Never met one I liked In the words of the Schwarz, I prefer wide open spaces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I denounce all superfluous flat surfaces (including open shelves) in my shop, as they are not only dust collectors, but JUNK collectors. No better place to throw half used sandpaper and tools that have a rightful home elsewhere. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klackey Posted November 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I already ruled out open shelving. Cleanong saw dust off of a tool I'm about to make sawdust with seems counterintuitive. I'm thinking drawer with purpose built inserts for specific items and cabinets for the rest. Thank you all for the insight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CessnaPilotBarry Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 +1 on doors enclosing shelves. Everything stays so much cleaner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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