Requesting Kreg Specific Design Help

[Nils Eliassen]

Offering to contract someone for  design help.

Need to build a wardrobe and believe a Kreg focused design may be of help.  Don't have the time to read multiple books on cabinet/dresser design and after viewing some free plans/videos, really no closer to my goal.

Willing to purchase as many tools as necessary, including table saw.  Already have a radial-arm saw and most hand power tools.  Pretty much have the total Kreg line in my Amazon cart as well as Dovetail Jigs, 3D squares and other tools.  Would rather invest in technology than  invite the possibility of out-of-square joints.  Kreg specific clamps seem like a wise investment.

Not clear how using Pocket-Holes rather than Dovetails affects the total design, but possible.

Planning on using Birds Eye Maple, but willing to build a "starter" wardrobe in cheaper stock, maybe cherry, so as to flesh-out the design and build expertise.

Looking forward to the responses.

Nils

[John Schaben]

Hi NIls - If I'm reading this right, this will your first major project??

Before you jump into a lot of investment in tooling, a more prudent approach (IMO anyway) would be to select a project and let the project dictate the tooling you need. Table saw and router/router table are pretty common to most all projects though.

There are a myriad of different wardrobe designs out there. Not all have free plans but the free plans I have run into are worth every penny. There are some exceptions, Ana-White website being one of them.

Here are some images of wardrobes to help get you started.

[Nils Eliassen]

Hi John,

You are correct in this being my first  major project, and we are all aware  of the potential pitfalls.  I've had some recent successes on some complex tasks in mechanical/electrical/ and computer arenas and am counting on proper staging/prototyping to get me through. 

Regretfully, our 600 sq ft. apartment dictates much of the design and I'm attempting to keep it simple as it will be two pieces, dresser and hanger sections.  Figured if I can make one box/drawer correctly, then the rest will follow.

Thanks again, tried Ana-White, didn't match my needs.  Will start with SketchList3D and see how things go.

[John Schaben]

Hi Nils - quite an ambitious project and I salute you. 600 square foot apartment also doesn't lend itself very well to large machinery. The pocket hole jig will help a lot in that regard, I think your biggest challenge will be getting parts cut to size. Most big box stores and some lumber companies will break down sheet goods for you but accuracy and cut quality is kind of a crap shoot. A circular saw and a straight edge with some clamps will go a long way as a table saw substitute. Routers also store away pretty compactly and can do a multitude of tasks from edge profiling to dado cutting.

As far as the difference between dovetail joints and pocket hole + glue joints, IMHO, the dovetail joint is inherently stronger by virtue of the fact that it is an interlocking joint. That is to say, a well made dovetail joint will hold itself together without fasteners. However, with modern glues, the pocket hole joints will hold up under all but the most adverse use and any strength difference is really immaterial. It is also much easier and less technique sensitive than dovetail joinery. Today, dovetails are primarily for aesthetics.

I think you are on the right track by working your own plans up with sketchup, good luck to you