This project was built and designed by Jodee from Inspire Woodcraft. It’s a compact, efficient sandpaper storage cabinet created to keep sanding supplies neatly arranged and always within reach.
Designed with thoughtful dimensions and clever features, the cabinet stores everything from full sheets and belts to sleeves, micro mesh pads, and even Nyalox brushes. Jodee’s design makes better use of space and turns a frustrating part of the shop into a clean, organized station.
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Designed for Function and Flexibility
The cabinet uses about half a sheet of plywood, making it a practical build for shops of any size. It’s compact enough to mount on the wall or integrate with existing storage, while still holding a surprising variety of sanding gear.
Jodee built it to accommodate full 9×11″ sheets, smaller scraps, sanding blocks, belts, sleeves, and more. Every component has its place, reducing clutter and making it easier to find exactly what you need during a project.
Breaking Down and Grooving the Panels
The build begins with cutting plywood panels for the cabinet sides, top, bottom, and internal supports. Rather than using fasteners alone, Jodee routes grooves into the sides to hold shelves and dividers securely in place.
Multiple evenly spaced grooves are cut on both cabinet sides using a fence-guided router. This layout allows the internal dividers to be positioned precisely and provides plenty of flexibility for organizing supplies.
Each groove is routed to a consistent depth, helping ensure square alignment during assembly. Taking the time to set up properly saves a lot of frustration when it comes time to slide parts together.
Storage Features That Make a Difference
This cabinet includes several smart design choices that go beyond basic shelving:
- Sandpaper Slots: Upright dividers keep sheets and scraps organized by grit and type. Nothing slides around or curls up in the back.
- Belt and Sleeve Holders: Dowels installed inside the cabinet hold sanding belts and sleeves. These keep them accessible and prevent tangling.
- Accessory Rack: Near the bottom, holes are drilled to hold Nyalox brushes upright. They stay visible and within arm’s reach for quick use.
- French Cleat Mount: A cleat on the back of the cabinet makes it easy to hang on the wall or move to a rolling storage unit. Jodee mounts his directly above a converted dresser used for tool storage.
Every inch of the cabinet is used thoughtfully, showing how a simple structure can solve a lot of common workshop frustrations.
Clean Joinery and Solid Construction
For joinery, Jodee uses wood glue and finish nails to assemble the cabinet body. The routed grooves do most of the structural work, but glue adds long-term strength and prevents shifting.
To add extra support for sanding belts, dowels are glued into holes drilled along one side of the cabinet. Super glue works well here, since the dowels only need to support lightweight accessories.
Squareness is a big focus throughout the build. Ensuring the cabinet stays true during glue-up helps the dividers and shelves slide into place cleanly later on.
Customization Options for Any Shop
The great thing about this design is how adaptable it is. You can change the size, spacing, or number of dividers to suit your own sanding setup.
Hardboard strips are used as stop blocks inside the sandpaper compartments. These keep sheets pushed forward so nothing disappears into the back. It’s a small touch that makes everyday use smoother.
Even if you don’t have a table saw for perfect grooves, a straight-bit router setup can get the job done. Jodee makes it clear that this build is achievable with a modest tool kit.
Final Assembly and Installation
Once the shelves and dividers are fitted, the entire cabinet is sanded smooth and cleaned up. Pencil marks are removed, and all edges are softened slightly.
With the French cleat already attached, the cabinet is ready to hang. Jodee mounts his above a rolling cart, showing how this project can be incorporated into other shop storage systems without taking up valuable bench space.
A Worthwhile Upgrade for Shop Organization
What makes this cabinet so useful is its combination of simplicity and function. It helps reduce clutter, protects your sanding materials, and keeps your most-used supplies right where you need them.
The upright storage, custom slots, and dedicated accessory holders all contribute to a more efficient sanding workflow. And the small footprint means it won’t dominate your wall space or bench area.
Final Thoughts
Jodee’s sandpaper storage cabinet is a smart solution for woodworkers tired of digging through drawers or boxes for sanding supplies. It’s quick to build, highly adaptable, and genuinely useful for any workshop layout.
With efficient material use and a focus on functional details, this cabinet shows how even a small upgrade can make a big impact in your daily workflow. It’s an approachable build that delivers lasting benefits.
Support Jodee by visiting his online store here: https://inspirewoodcraft.com/collections/all.