Cabinet for gun safe interior

[BrokenolMarine]

I am finally going to start a new project, as much to get out of the recliner as to fill a need.

I have been doodling and knocking the ideas around for months now, six or more, but health and weather have held me up.
I started the more formal calculations and sketches last week, then moved to scale drawings this weekend. I made the first cuts this morning.

I will take pics as I go, but can't post them yet. My desk top was hacked and died. The new computer should be ready by the end of the week. I will post a narrative as l go for now from the tablet, then add pics later.

The cabinet will be a little fancier than necessary, but that's just me. It's job will be two fold. Maximize the use of space, and provide storage and protection for the handguns, mags, knives, etc in the safe. Looking good will be a bonus if i pull it off.


Size?
47" tall
16" wide
20" deep

The plan will be nine 3" deep drawers and two cubbys if all goes according to plan.

Materials?
Cabinet grade plywood for the "box" with real black walnut drawer fronts.

Stay tuned...

[PT7]

All right, Marine! A long-awaited wood project to follow along with, and enjoy. Some learning will happen for us, too.
I can already tell everyone that "it will definitely look great" when finished.

I'm ready....best to you as you smell that sawdust again.

PT7

The cabinet will be a little fancier than necessary, but that's just me.

[BrokenolMarine]

Thanks PT,
I have missed working in the shop, but a number of issues, not the least of which being the cold damp weather aggravating my arthritis in my hands, knees and elbows. If my design works, this should be sweet. If not, it will be beautiful kindling. In addition, I will have passed some time.

[JEBar]

looking forward to following your project .... thanks for taking us along

[ESquared]

I've thought of your skills as I've browsed the internet for cabinets over the past few months. For the most part, they're all overpriced for what you get. Really look forward to seeing what you create, as it sounds both beautiful and full of function.

Good luck with the project. Can't wait to see it unfold...

[markiver54]

I am especially interested to see what you do, given my interest in woodworking!
Can relate well about creaky joints, given the weather. Looking forward to reports as you move along!

[BrokenolMarine]

Back in the shop this morning.
I had worked on the cabinet sides yesterday.
Started with a sheet of 3/4 ply, left it 37 inches wide and cut off 19 inches from the bottom to use for the top and bottom panels. This left a bit over the target 43 inch piece, but there was wiggle room. Then I ripped a dozen rails from a 2x4 1/2 x 1/2 x 35 inches long. Time to start.

I marked a shelf line eight inches up from the bottom edge of the panel, came up a half inch, to allow for the thickness of the shelf, and clamped my guide in place. This was just a 37 x 2-3/4 inch scrap representing the drawer sides. I applied glue to the first rail and using the brad nailer, shot it in place, centered in the panel. I moved the guide above the newly installed rail, and repeated the process until I had eight rails in place. I left them to dry overnight.

This morning I ripped the panel down the middle. Result? Two matched sides with perfectly aligned rails.
I cut out the top and bottom panels, 16 x 19. With the sides 18-1/2 the top and bottom with be 1/2" proud at the rear by design. The back enclosure panels will fit between those, and the shelves, which I will also extend proud out the rear. This interlock will prevent (help prevent) side to side movement of the cabinet, or "racking" due to the weight of the contents.

After applying glue, I attached the top and bottom, using the brad nailer, and squared 'er up. I left the glue to set and came inside, gimpy ol Marines need their breaks.

In the next session, I will drill and countersink the top and bottom panels, then add screws for additional strength. I will cut out, then add the two shelves. That will nearly complete the box portion of the cabinet, other that cosmetic trim work.

The big job will follow, nine drawers and walnut fronts.

[markiver54]

Jim, I will be interested to see pics when you're able. Unless you have a very large safe, it sounds like this one is dedicated to hand guns,ammo and such? Maybe long guns off to one side?

[Mags]

.
My recent firearm purchases put me over the top and I had to buy a bigger safe. I'm very interested in following your cabinet work. Thank you for sharing!

...

[ESquared]

Really great description of what you're doing. Can't wait to see some "in process" pictures, though, as is the case with others as well.

Thanks again for sharing all of this!

[BrokenolMarine]

This is a twenty five year old treadlock safe... About five feet tall, two and a half feet wide, and two feet deep. A three tier shelf to the right with storage for fourteen long guns / seven and seven facing one another, on the left. There is an ammo shelf about eight inched below the interior ceiling of the safe. I caught it on sale a few days before Christmas all those years ago, the gun shop guy didn't want to inventory all those safes in January. Lol.

[BrokenolMarine]

Got back out for another hour or two. Predrilled and countersunk the bottom. Dipped the tip of the screws in glue then drove them in deep enough that they can't tear the carpet in the floor of the safe.I

Countersunk the holes for the top with a 3/8 forstner bit 3/8 deep. Then I predrilled for the screws. Dipped then seated the screws 3/8 below the surface of the top and then set oak plugs for contrast. The top will be seen by me now and then. Once the glue dries, i will cut them flush, and sand them smooth. A small touch, but I like the look.

Next up, cutting and installing the shelves and back panels.
Computer guy called. He was able to recover all our data from the old computer, and the new computer should be ready in a couple days.
Can't wait. Will have to learn the new OS, I was running W7, and a ten year old MS Office Suite. W10 requires a new MS Suite as well.

[markiver54]

Got back out for another hour or two. Predrilled and countersunk the bottom. Dipped the tip of the screws in glue then drove them in deep enough that they can't tear the carpet in the floor of the safe.I

Countersunk the holes for the top with a 3/8 forstner bit 3/8 deep. Then I predrilled for the screws. Dipped then seated the screws 3/8 below the surface of the top and then set oak plugs for contrast. The top will be seen by me now and then. Once the glue dries, i will cut them flush, and sand them smooth. A small touch, but I like the look.

Next up, cutting and installing the shelves and back panels.
Computer guy called. He was able to recover all our data from the old computer, and the new computer should be ready in a couple days.
Can't wait. Will have to learn the new OS, I was running W7, and a ten year old MS Office Suite. W10 requires a new MS Suite as well.

I like the attention to detail Jim, ( forstner drilled an plugged with oak ). Glad you're getting the puter situation worked out. My wife, for whatever reason used to have W7 then was forced to W10 which she does not like. Unfortunatly, you can't go back, from what I understand. Just a bit of a learning curve I guess.

[BrokenolMarine]

I wasn't going to change but the computer died.

[markiver54]

I wasn't going to change but the computer died.

Yeh, I understand that's exactly why Carol had to change.

[BrokenolMarine]

Out in the shop this morning. Cut a 19" strip off the bottom of a 1 /2" cabinet grade sheet of maple ply to move on with the cabinet. Set the fence on the table saw at 14-5/8 and crosscut two shelves. Miss T was out for a bit and she glued up the edges while I marked the outside of the case for screw locations for later.

Each shelf was carefully slid into place and checked for position, then checked again. After that, I checked the shelf for position, then gave Miss T the nod and she shot a brad in each end of the shelf to hold them in place while the glue dries. In about a half hour, I will go back out and screw them into place for added strength. Next comes the back panels.

Then... ... Drawers and drawer fronts.

[markiver54]

Sounds like good progress. Nice to have some help also. Only help I have in the wood shop are my clamps.

[GunnyGene]

Sounds like it will be very nice. Probably too late now, but I'm partial to pocket holes for cabinetry. Or dovetail joinery for nice stuff.

[BrokenolMarine]

Sounds like it will be very nice. Probably too late now, but I'm partial to pocket holes for cabinetry. Or dovetail joinery for nice stuff.

If this was a presentation piece, or something going on display, I would likely have gone with finger joints, or dovetails, something more fancy. Since it's going inside the gunsafe... And few will ever see it other than Tina and I, I went for function and strength, with a few extras to please myself, cause... That's what I do. it pleases me to hide the screws, or put walnut drawer fronts on the utility cabinet.

[markiver54]

Sounds like it will be very nice. Probably too late now, but I'm partial to pocket holes for cabinetry. Or dovetail joinery for nice stuff.

If this was a presentation piece, or something going on display, I would likely have gone with finger joints, or dovetails, something more fancy. Since it's going inside the gunsafe... And few will ever see it other than Tina and I, I went for function and strength, with a few extras to please myself, cause... That's what I do. it pleases me to hide the screws, or put walnut drawer fronts on the utility cabinet.

Your logic makes total sense to me, Like you said, not really a presentation piece. Going in the safe. Yes, pocket holes and dove tails definitely have their place as well.