Sometimes a small adjustment to a project makes assembly much easier. Other times, a few pieces of scrap plywood are all you need to solve a storage problem.
In this collection of Woodsmith Quick Tips, two readers share practical ideas for fitting shelves into an assembled cabinet and making use of exposed shop rafters.
1. Chamfer Plywood Shelf Edges for Easier Installation
Sliding a plywood shelf into matching dadoes can be straightforward when you're assembling a cabinet one piece at a time. But installing a shelf after the case has already been assembled can be more challenging. Both edges need to line up with their dadoes, and a tight fit can make it difficult to get the shelf started.
Bill Webber of Grand Junction, Colorado, ran into this problem while fitting shelves into an assembled case.
His solution was to chamfer the edges of each plywood shelf. The chamfers help guide the shelf into the dadoes, making it easier to start and slide into position.
Bill stops the chamfers just short of the front edge of the shelf. This leaves the front portion intact, preserving the shelf's appearance where it will be visible.
It's a simple adjustment that can make a tricky cabinet assembly go more smoothly.
Woodsmith Tip: Check the fit of the shelf before removing material. Use a small chamfer to ease the edges without making the shelf loose in its dadoes, and keep the visible front edge intact.
Shop tip submitted by Bill Webber, Grand Junction, Colorado.
2. Make Removable Rafter Hooks from Scrap Plywood
Extension cords and other frequently used shop accessories can take up valuable wall and cabinet space. If your workshop has exposed rafters, the overhead area may offer a convenient storage option.
Lyle Qualley of Tekamah, Nebraska, made a set of simple hooks from leftover plywood.
He shaped the hooks to slip over the exposed rafters in his shop, creating removable hanging points for extension cords and other lightweight items.
Lyle sized the hooks so the stored items hang low enough to reach without a stool, but high enough to stay out of the way when he's working.
Because the hooks simply slip over the rafters, he can move them around as his storage needs change.
Woodsmith Tip: Size each hook to fit its rafter securely, and use the hooks only for lightweight items. Keep hanging cords away from lights, electrical wiring, moving equipment, and walking paths. Make sure the hooks can't slide off or be accidentally knocked loose.
Shop tip submitted by Lyle Qualley, Tekamah, Nebraska.
Simple Improvements for Cabinetmaking and Shop Storage
These two reader-submitted tips show how small changes can make woodworking more convenient. Chamfering plywood shelf edges helps guide them into dadoes during cabinet assembly, while scrap plywood hooks provide an easy way to use overhead storage space.
Both ideas are straightforward to adapt to your own projects and workshop.
