Tom from Alley Picked built and designed the project featured in this video.
Tom turned a half sheet of plywood and a stack of Harbor Freight storage bins into a compact, mobile parts cabinet with side-mounted tool holders.
The build emphasizes shop organization and quick access to parts over elaborate joinery or decorative finishes.
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Design
The cabinet is sized to hold rows of stackable plastic bins so small parts are visible and organized. Mobility was built in from the start with casters and a latch to keep bins secure while the unit is moved around the shop.
Lumber Prep
The project uses less than a half sheet of plywood, which keeps material costs and waste low. Preparation is straightforward: square cuts and clean edges are sufficient for a utilitarian shop piece like this.
Joinery & Assembly
Construction relies on simple butt joints reinforced with glue and screws, chosen for speed and strength in a shop-made cabinet. Shelves and dividers are placed to match the bin sizes, and clamping during glue-up keeps everything true.
Tool Storage & Organization
By mixing two sizes of Harbor Freight bins, the cabinet becomes a compact hardware system that stores a wide range of parts.
Homemade tool holders attached to the sides keep frequently used hand tools visible and within reach.
Finishing & Mobility
Finishing is minimal because durability and function are the priorities; a light coat of finish or bare plywood both work fine in a workshop.
Adding casters makes the unit easy to roll to wherever the job is, while the latch keeps bins from shifting in transit.
Overall Takeaways
Small, focused projects like this deliver big organizational gains with relatively little time and expense.
The approach is adaptable: adjust bin sizing, shelf spacing, and tool holders to suit individual parts inventories and workflow.
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Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
This type of mobile storage setup is a game-changer for shop organization. Those Harbor Freight bins are surprisingly durable for the price, and using two different sizes really maximizes the storage potential. The key is getting the shelf spacing just right so the bins slide in and out smoothly without wasting vertical space.
Adding casters from day one is smart thinking. I’ve seen too many static storage units that end up in the wrong spot because they’re too heavy to move easily. A simple barrel bolt or similar latch keeps everything secure during transport – nothing worse than having small parts scattered across the shop floor after rolling a cabinet around.
The side-mounted tool holders are a nice touch that turns dead space into functional storage. When you’re working on a project, having your most-used tools right there at arm’s reach saves countless trips back and forth across the shop. Simple projects like this prove you don’t need fancy joinery to solve real workshop problems.