Build some shelves and cupboards for the alcove

[magman2112]

We have discussed a number of times some methods for improving the storage in the Recess/Alcove, where the vinyl cutters and heat presses are located, Following on from the August community meeting, I agreed to start capturing some of the idea's I have for this space.

First, we have discussed installing a French Cleat rail on the walls around this space - after some interesting demonstrations by @MatthewCroughan on a recent Maker Night video call. If we put these on all 3 walls of the alcove, we could then install shelves, cabinets and other items (such as a holder for vinyl rolls) in suitable spaces in the space.

For cabinets, I was thinking of something like kitchen wall cabinet type carcases - either bought or made - which can then be positioned on the walls as required. We will need to decide whether we use open shelves or cabinets with doors or possibly a mixture of both. We will also need to look into widths and heights to make optimum use of the space.

I will update this thread with designs and costings as they evolve.

[goatchurchprime]

The back wall of the recess is 300mm wide and and 350mm high. If shelved from floor to ceiling it would accommodate 56 of our plastic boxes. There are about 30 on the shelves by the soldering station, so this would be a major expansion. This and a more systematic turnover of boxes that are not being touched long term would enabled all desks to be cleared, brought under control, and make us look like a normal hack-space.

The two tables that currently go to the wall with the vinyl cutter and other junk would need to be moved/shortened. Perhaps shelving could go along the wall with the heat-press too to give us a real set of capacity. This would lead to a shuffling around. The sewing machines could go onto the shelves (they don't work in their current place anyway and always need to be moved to a table for use) to make room for more permanent machinery.

The shelving used in farsetlabs is this this Dexion https://www.flickr.com/photos/61337230@N05/6902691648/ which is freestanding. This is probably better than trying to fix structures to the plasterboard stud wall that is there.

There are lots of different incompatible systems that cost way too much money, even second hand. Best value seems to be this one. https://www.tradesystems.co.uk/1---Contruction-Angle-10---3046mm--40mm-x-40mm-slotted-angle-TRE304040-TRE304040.html#SID=135 I can order four 3.048m lengths for about £60 all in, and then we can experiment with bolting 3m lengths of wood from one side to the other -- I've got a lot left over in this style: https://www.beesleyandfildes.co.uk/eased-edge-kd-47x75mm-ungraded-f-/ (and some diagonal struts to make it rigid). All we need are two wooden rails for each shelf because it's intended to take boxes, but you can put a sheet of chipboard onto it (I have a lot of this too) if you want a proper shelf locally.

[JackiePease]

Sewing and knitting machines are better with natural daylight, so unless there's something new where that also applies, I'd say it's probably best to leave them where they are. @magman2112 has plans that will allow them to be used while seated in front of the window. The knitting machine with the Arduino is definitely used in situ and takes effort to set up.

[MatthewCroughan]

@JackiePease I think leaving things where they are is how we stagnate and are unable to move and get on with making the space better. Currently there's a big, dead and unsightly knitting machine to the right of my desk which has no formulated plans for usage which will remain there for the next 6 months unless something is done about it. They are essentially dead bodies lying around all over the place, we need to put them to rest with a proper burial! We should take the best machine, set it up for usage and get rid of the rest, maybe by advertising them for others to use on Twitter.

(If 1000 makers see it on Twitter and nobody wants them, I think this will prove my point.)

[JackiePease]

I've raised issue #1493 for the new knitting machine. I don't imagine that we will want to keep all the knitting machine parts we have now, but I think this one has potential value - and some people who might have an interest aren't spending much time in the space at the moment

[magman2112]

As we have a Hack the space day planned for Sunday 23rd April, plus Jackie has suggested that we spend some time to install French cleats in this recess, we will need some material ordering and delivered if possible.

I would suggest using 18mm plywood in relatively long lengths, so that they align better with the wall studs. Jackie suggested using Terry’s timber, so here’s a link to some appropriate plywood.

https://www.terrystimber.co.uk/18mm-smooth-plywood-wbp-ext/

The 8ft by 2ft sheets would be ideal, as they are much more manageable than the larger sheets. 2 of these sheets should be sufficient for this project. So can I ask @DoESsean to order these today, so we can hopefully get them delivered before Sunday?

If the plywood arrives in time, I will bring in my table saw to make the French cleats from this material

[JackiePease]

I have ordered an 8' by 4' sheet of plywood from Terry's Timber for delivery. I don't yet have an ETA.

[amcewen]

Two sheets of plywood have been delivered from Terry's Timber. They're in the Fibre Arts room (temporarily) for now