This project was built and designed by Josh Wright. It’s a budget-friendly sixteen-drawer parts organizer that uses just one 2×6 board—perfect for tidying up small hardware in your shop or garage.
Not only does the project help keep screws, nails, and fasteners sorted, it also introduces a few foundational woodworking techniques like rabbet joints, finger joints, and half-laps. With a few tools and some patience, this is a rewarding project that offers both function and skill-building.
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An Efficient Design from Minimal Materials
The idea behind this organizer is simplicity and resourcefulness. By using a single 2×6 board, Josh shows how much you can do with limited materials when cuts are planned carefully.
The final result includes sixteen drawers arranged in a clean grid layout. It’s compact enough to sit on a workbench but large enough to hold plenty of small parts that often get lost in clutter.
Starting with the Main Box
Josh begins by breaking down the 2×6 into its main structural pieces. Two 12-inch sections and two 11.5-inch sections form the top, bottom, and sides of the case.
Once cut, the edges are trimmed to remove the factory rounding, which ensures tight, clean joints during assembly. Accuracy here is key, especially since all internal drawer compartments need to fit precisely inside.
Milling the Drawer Parts
After the outer box is prepped, the remaining material is ripped into thinner strips. These strips become the stock for the individual drawer pieces.
Each drawer requires thin quarter-inch boards, so cutting and planing to uniform thickness is an important step. By maximizing material usage, Josh gets all sixteen drawer boxes out of the same 2×6.
Joinery for Strength and Fit
The frame uses rabbet joints on the side panels to hold the back securely in place. This provides a strong connection and a clean edge alignment.
For the internal structure, dados are cut into the long panels. These dados hold the dividers in place, keeping all sixteen drawers evenly spaced. Accuracy is especially important here, as tight-fitting dividers create a better end result.
Josh uses half-lap joints for the drawer divider grid. These joints make the structure more rigid while keeping the layout neat and professional. Each half-lap is cut to match its partner, locking the dividers together with no gaps or wobble.
Building the Drawers with Finger Joints
The drawers are joined using finger joints, which offer both strength and visual appeal. Josh uses a simple jig to create evenly spaced fingers that interlock at each corner.
While finger joints may seem advanced, they become manageable with a well-built jig and some practice. Josh’s technique demonstrates how repeatable and efficient this joinery method can be, even with a basic shop setup.
Small holes are drilled into each drawer face to act as finger pulls. This small detail improves usability and keeps the design minimal and clean.
Adding Drawer Bottoms and Fine-Tuning Fit
Each drawer receives a custom-fit bottom panel, cut from leftover stock. While rounding the interior corners would make installation easier, Josh opts for chiseling square corners for a more polished finish.
Before final assembly, all drawer parts are sanded to remove burn marks and smooth the edges. This prep makes the organizer more pleasant to use and improves how the drawers slide within their compartments.
Final Assembly and Finish
After everything is dry-fitted, the full organizer is assembled. A light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper removes any sharp edges and prepares the wood for finishing.
Josh applies an oil finish to bring out the grain and protect the wood from shop grime. The oil enhances the natural tone of the 2×6, adding warmth and a subtle sheen.
Why This Project Works
This organizer isn’t just a storage solution—it’s also a teaching tool. It covers key woodworking techniques like accurate measurement, efficient material use, and three common joint types.
For beginners, it’s an approachable project that builds skills in cutting, joining, and finishing. For experienced woodworkers, it’s a satisfying way to create something useful with minimal waste.
A More Efficient Shop
Having organized storage for small parts helps improve workflow in any shop. Instead of digging through bins or drawers, this organizer allows you to grab what you need at a glance.
Because the design is modular, you can easily modify the dimensions or expand the concept for different uses—such as holding sanding discs, drill bits, or hobby parts.
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