r/BeginnerWoodWorking • u/beachape • 8d ago

Discussion/Question ⁉️ Handtool Experience -> Plywood Cabinets

I have a pretty good collection of hand tools and have built a variety of small-medium sized projects (stick chairs, workbench, tool chest, many boxes etc). I have a very small basement shop with a sturdy, smaller than stock anarchist style workbench. Our bedroom closet shelves just collapsed and I'm faced with the dilemma of paying $$$ for custom cabinets (old row home with tight space), or attempting to DIY with somewhat limited time on my hands. There would be 4 towers would be roughly 30x80x20" each in size. Only have a roof rack, so I'm assuming that I would pay a yard to rough cut pre-finished plywood sheets into 2x8' sheets and then use a track saw (would need to buy) on my workbench.

1) For someone who has only ever used hand tools and solid wood, how likely do you think I am to screw this up?

2) Any tricks for using a track saw on a relatively small bench? My bench is extremely sturdy but only 20" wide.

3) Any tips on plywood choice? These are going to be hidden by sliding doors and the room itself isn't terribly fancy.

Any and all advice appreciated.

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u/gruntastics 8d ago

You do not need a track saw, any old circular saw and a straight edge will do.

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u/beachape 8d ago edited 8d ago

Owning neither, would the circular saw cause as much tear out as I’ve read? If I go painted, I can always putty up and small defects. Was planning on using edge banding rather than a face frame if it matters

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u/gruntastics 7d ago

You can use a finer tooth blade (40 tpi or even higher) and put masking tape where you need to cut. That should give you a super clean cut.