Constructing

As part of his birthday/Father's Day celebration, Nick bought some storage units for his new workshop. Of course, they do not come assembled- and the phrase "some assembly required" is an understatement.
Last week we put together the easiest of the 4 items, a metal rack that holds 16 plastic bins of varying sizes (bins did not need assembly--yea) It was quite easy.


A few weeks before we assembled storage shelves for the garage which were easier than simple. And fast and lightweight, but strong. (Came from WalMart)



Also two weeks ago we assembled a wooden filing cabinet to go in the office. I am here to tell you that drawers are not simple. We completed the first one of 2 and and it looks great. Haven't opened the second box yet, it was seriously complicated and took considerable time. Not sure when we'll get back to the other filing cabinet.



Today we began the "Heavy duty commercial drawer cabinets" (2) for the workshop. As I write this, one is finished and the second is in pieces in the floor of the living room (too hot outside to do this). The finished one is a super sturdy, really nice rolling cabinet with 4 drawers and a locking cabinet with 2 shelves for tools, I suppose.




Throughout this process I have learned some bits of wisdom which I wish to share with my readers.
1. ALWAYS- check to be sure all parts are included (no problems with this, so far, but in the past......? Oh, yeah!)
2. Read instructions BEFORE beginning,- even if it seems to be a waste of time-- to be sure all necessary tools are on hand (some of these projects even include a little wrench and/or screwdriver)
3. Two adult persons cannot occupy the same piece of floor and be efficient---take turns.
4. Small hands are not a liability--sometimes they are the only way to reach into tight places to insert a screw--or take one out which might have been accidentally misplaced.
5. Power tools, while efficient, are not always effective. Sometimes they won't fit and sometimes the screw goes in so tight, the head pops off. So, I'm just saying--hand power works best at times.

***Additional suggestion: check to be sure 2 pages in instruction booklet aren't stuck together--it can make a serious difference.

6. Sit back and enjoy the sense of accomplishment from making sense of the gazillion parts and creating an item that looks like the picture on the box.



This one isn't even on the schedule, yet. It'll get done sometime.

JUNE 26----

All construction projects are now finished. The standing metal cabinet is in the workshop just where Nick planned for it to be, the other filing cabinet is done and a sewing area cube storage unit is done.



Here is another item to add to the list of "bits of wisdom"

Some construction projects are amazingly well organized, with every piece labeled and each screw and bolt in individual packages with a designation. SOME ARE NOT. If you happen to buy one that is not well labeled, take the extra time to discover the differences between the pieces and label them yourself. This will save a great deal of time and frustration
The sewing area cube was NOT labeled AT ALL. Descriptions were written in the instructions, but even these were not particularly clear. All fasteners (various sizes of screws, two sizes of dowels and misc other items) were in the same package. I suppose what I'm trying to say here is a little time spent at the beginning, saves having to go back and dis-assemble and then re-assemble later down the road. Sounds like something from Poor Richard's Almanac, except lots wordier.