Genius Idea for Making Small Drawers or Beyond Stupid? You Tell Me

This is steel stud wall framing you can get at any building supply store. Actually the track (or plate) the wall studs fasten to at the top and bottom. This has straight sides and no holes, so much better for this.
The hardest part is cutting it into pieces. I used my grinder with a thin cutting blade and no guard (responsible for his own actions adult here, so go find some children to lecture after I ban you from my channel), but sheet metal snips would also work. The easiest way would be if you have one of those metal cutting chop saws, but avoid using the one for cutting wood!
Actually you could use the miter saw if you used an old blade and made a hold rig like I did for the hacksaw - just cut through the holding rig and say your prayers.
I knew the hacksaw wouldn't work (even with a blade with more teeth) but built the holding rig to give it the best chance of working just to demonstrate that it wouldn't work. 'Cause I knew guys would ask if they can use a hacksaw. Try it for yourself. Do it!
Jigsaw with metal cutting blade? Yes, but more difficult.
Dremel? Yes, but you are going to need a big stack of cutting disks and an afternoon to do it.
I did this project VERY quickly, so it's not an example of my best work. You will realize superior results if you slow down and do a good job of cutting the parts and cleaning everything up.
The metal is fastened using 1/2" nails driven in as shown in the video. I used a center punch to start the hole and lock the parts together. This method is more than strong enough for whatever will be in these drawers, so don't be worrying it. Use tiny screws if this kind of thing keeps you up at night.
I decided after I started putting it together to add a bit of walnut to pretty it up. Think that the walnut takes the project overall from a 3 right up to a 7.5. Slowing down and being more careful could boost that to 8.5 or even a 9. 10 is reserved for anything with dovetails.
Of course these drawers can be made any length and have dividers inside. I used two different width as well.
If you a real metal worker, you can make these drawers without wood by cleverly bending up the ends. I was going to do that but thought this method was easier to accomplish for the average mess maker out in his mom's garage.
That blade change was going to be a KZbin short, but I HATE KZbin shorts so I put it where it belongs - in a real video.
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[@JohnHeisz]

This is steel stud wall framing you can get at any building supply store. Actually the track (or plate) the wall studs fasten to at the top and bottom. This has straight sides and no holes, so much better for this.

[@thedude4632]

If you could take a look at my left hand you WOULD put a guard on that saw . Ya ya I used a cutoff saw for 30t years no problem , one day it happened . You aren’t amused

[@micahk606]

I like it John! One rule of thumb I used as a machinist was that never try to cut any thing thinner than the distance between two saw teeth. If the material is so thin it fits between saw teeth, the teeth aren't cutting, they are paddling, and can break. (great rule on a band saw) Obviously people can get around this when the material is softer than the blade. Again, nice work. I enjoy your thinking outside the box.

[@zac6283]

You know the lumber shortage is getting intense when John starts working with METAL!

[@bridgetl.303]

I actually have an antique legal forms cabinet made with this same principle. The cabinet and drawer faces are quartersawn oak with brass label pulls. It holds up over time! Oh, and they used tiny brass screws.

[@paulhirst3548]

What a great idea. I just happen to have a few lengths of thin walled steel C channel that I found while dumpster diving for scrap metal to practice welding on. I think that this would be a much nice use for it. Thank you John for the inspiration!

[@murrayrussell9371]

I enjoyed the idea of the build but not the lack of commentary. I appreciate your comments and ideas while you progress with your builds. It helps to provide me with a greater understanding of your projects.

[@iPleinAir]

Genius! This is great for small parts storage. Form factor is lighter and there is less wasted space than 1/4 ply. 20+ years ago I made a box out of foam core to carry wet 6x8 paintings. I still use it. All of the corners are rounded over and it’s a bit battered but it still does the job of carrying wet paintings home from plein air sessions.

[@MurcuryEntertainment]

I absolutely adore this. Simple, using available material and easy to batch out. Making a drawer is theoretically as easy as making between 3-5 cuts.

[@madmikemakes3056]

Absolutely love it when people take stuff that could potentially end up in a landfill and make something useful. Definitely genius and we all need to start thinking more along those lines. Very creative and out-of-the-box type thinking.

[@wannabefunnyman]

Pretty cool idea. Next Level Carpentry does something similar with PVC fence post cut offs. It’s much more utilitarian and not as nice looking. I really liked how you dressed it up with some walnut.

[@keatonmills4800]

Little trick I have picked up over the years as a general carpenter, with the light gauge steel studs/track like the one you’re using, you can snip up the sides like you did then use your square and run a utility knife across it a few times then you can bend it back and forth a few times and it’ll have a clean straight break, I find it much easier to do than trying to use the snips across

[@brewster3987]

An unsung benefit of this approach is how much extra storage space you gain by utilizing the thin-wall material. Nicely done. And great storytelling without words.

[@solid_jr]

I knew that stuff was good for something. Great idea. This might actually draw me away from my old peanut butter jar storage. Walnut is one of my favorites too. Thanks for the video.

[@Jdavid2890]

Attaching fine furniture walnut next to construction grade plywood, is the wildest idea I ever saw, pretty cool.

[@daifeichu]

That turned out really well. I don't like metal studs/plates but for this function they are perfect.

[@clemmcguinness1087]

The genius is in the problem solving at luthiery level. Call it an exploration! Love this sort of thing. Thank you

[@Michaeldashizz]

That’s actually a pretty cool concept. I am betting the metal bottoms would be stronger or as strong as 1/4” ply but significantly thinner. When making drawers I have always hated how much space I lose because of the thickness of the plywood vs metal. But I’m not a metal worker so I can’t build my own metal drawers lol

[@singleshot2218]

Beautiful piece John!🎚🙏🇲🇾🇲🇾

[@_rlb]

I really enjoy those genius ideas of yours! The walnut really adds some finesse to the project, just like the