How I designed my modular cabinet system
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- Опубликовано: 4 фев 2025
- Thank you for watching!
Plans for the cabinets & drawers:
www.etsy.com/J... (Dimensions are in metric)
Webpage about the cabinet system:
jerswoodshop.co...
Build video:
• Modular workshop cabin...
Patreon:
/ jerschmidt
Your version of geeking out is absolutely amazing. When you describe why the drawer handles are so slim, ... it blew my mind that this level of thought has gone into it. Really well done.
Yeah...very geeky!!!! thank you
I'm consistently blown away by your camera and editing work. Every... single... thing... that you talk about, you have B-roll showing perfect framing and lighting of. There were like, hundreds of those in this video. Full production company productions like what you see on HGTV don't have this attention to detail or respect for their viewers. Outstanding as always. Also your hair changed color to match your shirt, interesting new trick.
People explaining their thought process about picking dimensions is my jam. Metric-imperial compatibility is the mega brain strat.
Edit: this video is a masterclass. I’ll be watching this over and over.
I hope someday to plan and execute a project this comprehensively. In my opinion, you should manufacture and sell these as customizable kits. Outstanding work!
I think so too. 👍
I would buy such a kit
I too would buy such a kit.
totally agree
Maybe team up with A Glimpse Inside and get the parts laser or CNC cut. I think people would be willing to pay for an RTA style kit.
I love love love this, so well thought out!
Maybe the biggest drawers could have handles in the side walls so its easier to lift the whole box out if something heavy is inside?
God i want a shop now, will definitely buy the drawings :)
That’s a great idea! Thanks
You could cut out an oval in the sidewalls.
Several years ago when I had no money I based my first toolbox off your early drawer designs. The false drawer back and slider on the bottom are still working great even when made with lumber picked from garbage bins. Showing the thought that went in to your design increases the value of your plans and someone can have confidence that the choices you made are good ones. I'm hoping to purchase your plans since I relocated to a different country and am building out a new garage.
The amount of thought that went into this is absolutely mind blowing.
Anybody who values your time and, more importantly, values their own time, would understand that $15 for the plans is a small cost. Thank you for all of the details and design considerations.
Always amazed at how much thought goes into your work
Too long? Not a chance. I was actually sad when it ended. This was like watching nothing I have ever seen. I can't even think of an analogy. Amazing.
This video is everything I hoped it would be. The sheer amount of thought and care you put into these things is a joy to behold. I'm seriously contemplating buying the plans even though I don't in fact have a woodshop, just because maybe someday I will make a friend who does have a woodshop and they will be able to construct these amazing cabinets for me.
This is a great example of product design - of taking into account various factors, balancing them and making these tiny tweaks that solve noticeable problems.
the way your brain works is mind blowing - i have no need to building anything you show here but i still watch all of it all the way thru. Just incredible!
This is excellent. Whenever I'm designing or building something, I always remember something you said years ago: "if you can't make it perfect, make it adjustable". I've learned a lot from you, and this video will be really helpful. Thank you.
Thanks! I’m annoyed that I forgot to say that in one of these videos, because that’s really the principle behind this system. I tried to make my previous cabinets “perfect” but that’s impossible when your needs keep changing.
It may be that you have, indeed, given away all the thinking and smarts that went into this. But not to this sunburnt old Aussie. Plans bought and paid for! Thoughtful, considered, and considerate (thank you for designing this system to work across both imperial AND metric!) design like this should be both celebrated and rewarded. You’ve managed to solve EVERY storage conundrum I’ve got with my in-progress new workshop. Overjoyed doesn’t begin to describe how happy I am right now.
As a mathetician by training, I approve of this video. As an undiagnosed Aspy, I approve of this videomaker.
Jeremy, I'm not a maker or builder, but I'm a subscriber, watch all of your videos and enjoy them. I'm not exactly sure why. But your presentation is interesting and you're obviously very good at what you do. This video was particularly interesting as it was a ground-up engineering design crash course. Thanks for sharing your skills!
Whoever suggested the bench top tool storage, hats off! I have that same soldering iron, great bit of kit.
I don‘t know where to begin. I watched your build Video two times, and now this follow up. I was already blown away by the build, but this Video is, just like the cabinets itself, pure genius.
I had something similar in my mind. But it would have been way more simple, and not nearly as versatile. On top it would have been massive over-build. But your weight-test blew my mind.
So,… I will order your Plans directly after posting this comment. Right now I don‘t have the time and tools to build them,… and even if I will never build them…. creating something incredible like this and on top post two amazing Videos (so far) about it on RUclips needs to be honored.
Thank you so much for all of this.
One point I forgot to mention,….. I‘m living in germany. So a BIG thumbs up for providing metric measurements too.
Thank you!! So glad you like it.
Gives me warm fuzzies when someone has this much foresight and puts so much thought in to practical design. I am sure plenty of scrap was produced during the development process.
Purchased your pans, I hope they sell well!
Kind regards
Matthias
Finland/Estonia
Absolute winner. I don't often purchase plans from YTers. I tend to get them from my woodworking books, magazines, and equipment manufacturers/retailers. But you so perfectly designed and executed this modular system that I (1) had to get these to use in my upcoming shop remodel, and (2) ensure that you received credit and compensation for your genius. Truly, this system of yours is exceptional. Wonderfully done!!!
So very cool. A clear work of an engineer's mind. I don't care whether you're an actual engineer or even went to elementary school, you're clearly a born engineer.
Pure. Genius. Period. I am absolutely amazed about the level of detail: everything has a serious purpouse without compromising aesthetics AND it feels absolutely everyone can give this desing a go. I could not figure out a cleverer design for that piece of furniture: simple, eye-pleasing, repeatable, useful and modular. This and the french cleat wall mounting system is everything a shop needs. Congratulations!
Truly an excellent, and brilliant concept for multi-positional storage. I love how one can place relevant drawers into one cabinet to move to a specific project or work site. I could see this being developed into van storage for all of us joiners who then have to fit out on-site.
I liked the original build video, but this "geek out" video on the design of your drawer system is just amazing. Not only because of the obvious amount of thought you put into the design, but also the amount of thought that went in to explaining the design. Really amazing work. Thanks so much.
Your level of design is akin to what LEGO does to its blocks. The way they are all compatible and very well structured to work in a multitude of different ways is very astounding. I mostly work with hand tools, it is what I really like, but I will buy the plans and try to incorporate some of it's design brilliance into what I make. I have a huge amount of respect for the work you do, it is second to none. Thank you for taking the time to show the master piece you have created.
What is great about these is that you can easily attach a french cleat to the back as well at any stack row/column combination
Such a high level thinker. I put him in a similar category with Matthias Wandel. Any time they release a video I watch it even if the project is something that doesn’t immediately peak my interest. Always learn something from his videos.
It's interesting to note they both have german last names. And germans are known to be very detailed/accurate "measure three times, cut once" type of people. :) Maybe it's in the heritage genes? :D
being geek-design my favourite part of building a new piece of furniture, this video is AMAZING!!!
Thanks for sharing all the variables you considered on design and testing. There's a lot to learn from your creation process.
Dear Jer, this modular system is marvellous. Like your belt grinder, it deserves a place in the Smithsonian Museum. Best wishes, John
Agreed! 💫
There was one thing you didn't think about.... darned if I can figure it out, though.
Excellent design, Jer, and not surprised.
I probably should have made the arrow in the thumbnail point at me instead of the cabinets
We are our own worst critic.
The world needs more like you JS.
I like what you did.
I'm trying to plan out something like a barrister book case. Many of them were modular. The problem is finding top sliding hinges for such bookcase, they are not common. And i would prefer to find a design for slides, or create one, something made out of wood. So i wouldn't have to rely on something that is hard to find and buy. It looks like barrister book shelves were only popular in early 1900s.
I'm not sure what you mean, but I haven't finished the video yet.
Okay well I finished the vid and I guess you're referring to your meticulous attention to detail. I really like it. It's a level of ergonomic and functional engineering that can really be appreciated, and I will definitely buy the plans when I am ready to build out my shop. However, I hope you don't let perfectionism get in your way. It can do a number on one's mental health.
Never disappointed with your plans and process. How much thought goes into each project. Just amazing. Did I not say genius already? Genius!!! Got the plans! Gonna read through them thoroughly before executing. Thanks so much
Holy smokes! This guy is wicked smart. If there was something he did not consider, I sure as heck don't know what it is. Congrats, Jer. Very well done.
Trust me, you are not the only one out there who deep dives into the creative process when asked questions... As you said earlier, this is refinements (so far) of previous builds. So it is quite interesting to hear how a thinking designer continues the design process and refines the ideas in that ongoing process. My apprenticeships were in a master craft workshop and design studio - this level of considering the possibilities and concept development is very comfortable for me, hundreds of mornings and endless pots of coffee working out efficiencies and accounting for limitations of materials and tooling, then into the fun building bits... :) Cheers from Oz.
The amount of thought and planning put into this is incredible
I love how everything you create has so much thought put into it. I would be in analysis paralysis the entire time.
Wonderful work, thoughtful design, and absolutely great teaching. I'm so glad I found you as you are now one of my top RUclips woodworkers; keep it up Jer and I'm sure your channel will explode exponentially once people find you.
Brilliant. A couple of benefits of your design decisions that you didn't mention: first, baltic birch in 5x5 format is substantially less expensive per square foot than 4x8 format and, second, having the tops and bottoms end inside the sides gives a much cleaner look to the sides of the stacked cabinets, especially once you put a top on it. Well done.
Also, the multi-cabinet deflection test and drawer load test were impressive. The details of your clearance dimensions and how they changed over time were enlightening. I love how you take us through your thought process in general and explain the details of things like your hole placement and rotating feet. Thanks!
Hey Jer, just coming back to comment again, so far I've built 8 cabinets and 12 drawers, with enough bottoms for 7 more. I am not exaggerating when I say, this system is already revolutionizing my shop storage and organization. It's so efficient, I'm nearly done neatly storing almost all of the loose inventory that never had a proper home, and before this batch is done I'll have to start moving stuff from my old storage solutions into the new system. I plan to make a lot more of these, and never again want for a logical place for something. So thank you again for the thoughtful design and for sharing it with the world! :)
Thank you, this makes me so happy! :)
I don't know, this video gave me a little faith in humanity. It's thoughtfulness like this that really accentuates the joys of living. Some genius stuff. Can't wait to see your upcoming creations.
This is absolutely incredible engineering I’m shocked at how much function you crammed into this
This is better than most engineers- so much more creative!
Jeremy your designs and your professionalism and your ability to problem solve is something we should be reading about in text books.
You are next level smart. I will never get tired of watching your videos and I will always “geek out” over your videos!
I’ve been watching you for a very very long time, pre belt grinder days.
I’ve shown lots of people your videos and they all have the same reaction!
Awestruck!!!!
We love you Jeremy!
I'm on the cusp of converting my metal outbuilding into a proper shop, and these cabinets are definitely on the table for being utilized. As always, you've put a lot of thought into your creations and have created an extremely interesting design.
Earlier today I was thinking about making some kind of sliding system for attaching power tools such as a table top grinder to my workbench and now when I saw your videos on this system and the comment you mentioned at the end I thing it's great idea and sort of expands and refines my earlier thought. So, thanks for the tip :-)
Also, wanted to say that as an engineer that probably overthinks pretty much everything I'm sometimes a bit tired of most woodworkers on YT grumble about how they hate math or are bad at it blah blah blah and here you've got beautifully thought through system with all the dimensions being exactly as they should and serving a purpose - thanks for that experience too :D
One last thing - indeed we have 5'x5' or rather 1525x1525mm sheets in Europe although it's not something you will find in a regular store ;-). The equivalent of 8x4 is 2500x1250 so it's a bit bigger than imperial, at least that's the standard in Poland. I think you can sometimes buy 3000x1500 as well.
Also, I love this design so much and it will absolutely be the system I use in my future workshop.
Wow. Math is fun. It is really satisfying when everything matches up and everything has a thought behind it. I hope I get to make some for my garage some day.
Jer, I hope you don't mind me calling you that. Your plans are the best I have seen and could not recommend them enough, for anyone to buy them and they are also extremely reasonable in their pricing, love having you back. Looking forward to your future content and pray you are settling well in your new surroundings.
Thank you!!
Yeah, Jer is my name so that’s perfect.
Full geek mode. Thanks for the detail, what a great system.
Love the design!
You could also add French cleats to wall mount with the rear holes... which would be amazing for your half-depth cabinets, too... you would have to set the cleat heights based on your hole pattern, which would let you use your front feet.. but it would be pretty easy to set up a story-stick then laser across for each cleat.
You are so incredibly thoughtful. Watching this video was a joy. I've surveyed many similar DIY drawer cabinets but yours blow them away AND come with plans for the cost of one lunch - what a gift. Thank you so much.
My favorite part are the handles which I was waiting for you to mention, but they allow you to open and close by applying force axially to the slide *chefs kiss* that sold me.
This has been a masterclass on cabinet design - thanks so much. Now once I get my woodworking tolerances from 1cm to 1mm I shall try and build some of these.
I admire all the forethought and planning. Truly a geek after my own heart.
You right in saying that you spilled the beans on the dimensions and that people could build this by just looking at your videos. That will be grossly unethical and the least one could do is reward you for this brilliant and well thought out cabinets. I bought your plans and intent on building this. Is just the perfect workshop solution in my opinion. Well done mate!
I love all the thought you have put into this. People should buy a set of plans whether they need them or not. Thanks for sharing your creativity and work with us. Note: I bought a set of plans. They are very detailed. Thanks.
Thank you!
I like your soldering station idea. My soldering equipment lives in a drawer because I don't use it that often, but that means I have to pull all the stuff out each time I use it.
Subscribed out of sheer respect for your attention to detail, everything is so well thought out, the thought of thinking it out on my own hurts my thought machine.
I love the level of thought that has gone into so many aspects of the design. Yes, there are tradeoffs, but they are all good tradeoffs.
WOW, Great design. Very nice video, well thought out for all the fans, and you answered every question I came up with. Thanks Jer
I am blown away. the amount of detail and consideration in all the measurements was outstanding. Very well done. I just moved to our new house and I am tempted to breakdown my old workbench (that is now too big for my garage and take the lumber to make this system. Just outstanding.
THANK YOU! Watched it all.
The amount of details and thinking and design that went into this... pff WOW
This is an extraordinary amount of forward planning. Most shop workers would just wing it. But then they would have regrets at some time later. The planning is awesome. I like the modular idea and the flexibility in the way they are combined.
This is such a genius idea. I've seen several similar ones but this is probably one of the best ones I've seen. I definitely want to build something like this once I setup my shop. I'd use it for all sorts of things from raw electronics part, computer parts, and actual shop stuff too. Has tons of uses.
Wow, you are very smart in what you do. I love how you thought out everything out including basing on your experiences of past builds and show that you are always progressive and forward thinking. Can't wait to see what your next project is going to be. Keep up your amazing work and will look into buying your plans. Just gotta figure out what I need in my workshop space which is a double garage.
WOW!!! This whole ting blows me away! Great video! Love the design and all the explanations! I am just so impressed with how much thought and reasoning you put into every single little aspect of this entire piece. I REALLY loved the end idea of the dedicated tool drawers and the soldering unit drawer was great. I have never been ever to figure out what to do with all my soldering stuff and my Dremil stuff. It was great. Didn't know you HAD the plans avaialble. I actually thought that was WHY you were giving us all these dimensions so we could put it all together.
I bought your plans after watching the first video. Not sure if I'll ever get around to using them, but I was really impressed with the thought you put into the design that I wanted to support that. Please keep it up and share.
I don’t have shop/garage. But I want to make this drawers so much! Thank you for sharing all subtleties and nuances with us!
I wish I had the patience, skill, and ability to think things through that well. Amazing work.
The amount of time and thought that went into the design of this modular system is impressive. Well done!!
I'm impressed at the ingenuity that went into this Jer.
I'm still glad I purchased the plans and blown away at how much thought you put into this! It will be some time before I can get back into the shop but I look forward to building these and happy to nerd out on your process. Maybe pull this video and add it to your plans purchase? Great work either way
Fantastic Jeremy, Fantastic! Wish you were around some 30 plus years ago when I built mine. I added vinyl cut letters to the font of the drawers to identify their contents.
Maybe you gave away the dimensions for this but the real gift is your explanations of your reasoning. Thank you for your efforts!
With regards to the idea for permanent tool mounting on dedicated drawers 33:00 - you could use the same x4 mounting holes that you use for the upper and lower cabinet interfaces as a means to temporarily secure the tool drawers to the upper surface of the cabinet assembly. I would use a detent fastener or an over-centre clamp to provide quick mount and removal.
Fantastic work - and well executed. This drawer system makes sense and is very practical.
Oh my, it’s so brilliant!!
Now I want to redo all my shop cabinets. And now, seeing the design, I don’t mind spending a fortune for baltic birch for this beautify!
Thank you so much for sharing your design and thoughts!!
Nice review, Jer, and it's good to get a look at what was going on inside your head as you were thinking things through. Thanks for sharing and even over-sharing! Scott
One specialty drawer that I've always used in my modular benches is one with a false bottom and a middle height shelf that has 1/4" and 1/2" holes for storing my myriad assortment of router bits. For one iteration I basically made it an upside down box that was removable and had the same holes bored in it for a removable / transportable solution.
Another drawer was made with holes that accepted dowels in order to store my sanding discs. The dowels served as a means of limiting them from sliding around. Having access to a combi line boring machine in my custom closet division aided in boring a ton of 5mm holes. Even so, a little time spent still gets it done.
If you enjoy a deep dive into cabinetry specs I highly recommend looking in to the 32mm euro system of cabinet panel manufacturing. It is beautiful in its logical approach to accommodation.
Thanks for keeping content flowing on your channel.
That is so pleasing, no worries about changing to fit with newer needs.
Birdy
It's clear that you've put a whole lot of thought into this. Absolutely incredible project!
The idea of storable setups for soldering and such is genius.
This is so smart! I would also suggest to use a "drawer" for pocket hole jig, mounting the main body on the bottom and make the wings removable so it's not too wide.
Thank you so much for the system and the videos. I had been racking my head trying to figure out a way to make a ton of drawers with options and not go insane ... enter your system and my anxiety is gone. Bought the plans and can't wait to start building my shop out. Thanks!
Love geeking out. Bought the plans. Looking forward to building these.
The amount of thought and detail you've put into this is impressive and I appreciate it! Thanks for sharing what went into the design!
I love seeing an over-engineered product!
Wow ! The time flew right by ! Very impressed with what you have accomplished here. Thank you !
This is very well thought out! Thanks for sharing the logic behind the design decisions you made.
That's amazing Engineering. Wondering how many Million of hours of thoughts are in here. Great Thanks for sharing this.
Holy cow... the amount of planning you put into this is the sort of thing that would normally require an entire project team! The level of compatibility and modularity here is astounding. I wasn't planning on building these previously, but this video shows so many considerations that I'm blown away by the design. I'll definitely be buying the plans when I get to that stage of my shop planning.
Bonus: The cheap Harbor Freight "parts storage case" boxes come out to 16.5 inches wide and 2.25 inches tall, so I should be able to adapt them to work with this system (if nothing else, just creating the "drawer slide" base to hold them), this is great because these bins are amazing for small parts, and being able to combine "grabbable bins" with regular drawers is awesome.
Every time I see a video from you I only have one thing to say, briljant! And please keep those long videos coming.
You're cabinet system is simply awesome!
When I get to a point in my various construction projects, I'm going to start building MUCH NEEDED cabinets using your plans!
Kind regards from a near future Etsy customer!
So many comments already say it so I'll be brief: *_really_* enjoyed this, getting an insight into your design processes. Thanks!
The integrated soldering station is a great idea I’ll borrow from you. I sincerely appreciate your effort.
I bought the plans before this video. I was going to adapt your dimensions to my own preferences, but now I'm a believer.
this was a great engineering / reasoning discussion. Thanks for taking the time to do it, I think it's worth it, I hope it is for you too !
Well, my geek-fix has been satisfied...well done Jer!
This is an absolutely fascinating video. I'll join the chorus and say that the level of detail that went into this project is simply amazing. It may be a "geek out" in-depth view, but I, for one, found it extremely useful in understanding what you have created. Most importantly, it tells the viewer why you did something. Just amazing Jer! Keep up the great work!!!
I really enjoyed this video. Thanks for geeking out with us. I just purchased those plans - what a great value!
Great Video. I knew you had put a lot of engineering into these cabinets & drawers, I didn't realize just HOW MUCH! I believe you have covered every angle/issue that has any significant importance. Thank You. With your explanations, I may have figured out how to make the double wide/long tool storage drawer.