Make your own drifta storage box

[Jjw1234]

Hi. Just wondering if anyone has attempted to make their own storage box. I'm after 2 for the trailer and one with the pantry drawers but hubby believe he can make it cheaper. Does anyone have any experience with this?? Cheers Jenn

[Marschy]

I've made numerous hi-fi speaker boxes out of mdf using a router and they are glued together using epoxy glue.

I plan to put the lessons I've learned into practice to make some storage boxes which I will coat with epoxy resin. No reason that they shouldn't be as durable as the plywood drifta boxes.

But this will wait until after I free up a bit of space by moving my fridge into the back of my vehicle.

Cheers, Marschy

[KingBilly]

Jen, I haven't made one but gave building a Drifta style kitchen some serious consideration.

After pricing all the bits (not just the obvious ones, but all of the bits), I reckoned it just wasn't worth the effort to try to make it myself.  I ended up buying the Drifta DPOR kitchen and tucker box and couldn't be happier.  Top workmanship.  And after owning one for a year, each time I pull it out, I still marvel at the thought and innovation that has gone into such a seemingly simple product.  There was no way I could have made something like that.

Now having said all that, a simple storage box may well be a different consideration and something you could consider making yourself.

For what it is worth, I will getting my DMax rear drawers made by Drifta as I reckon they have such a top product.

Good luck
KB

[Nay-DMAX]

No experience but we talked about same thing bf was looking at making something I said really when does he have the time we went with the drifta and very happy we did a well made product great service and packed well in transport sorry doesnt answer your main question good luck

[Lori]

One of the things I've heard most often from people who have tried to copy a drifta is that their one turns out way to heavy.

[pooky]

If you can afford it buy a drifta. I made the first one in the camper and still ended up with a drifta once we could afford it also brought the slide out ute back kitchen for none CT trips.

[GGV8Cruza]

I have and kitchens as well, helps to be in the trade and have the skills and tools to do it. Where are you located, if you need a hand let me know

GG

[Barrabart]

Jen,

Just about anyone can make a ply storage box.......... but only Drifta can make one as good as Drifta!!

Happy owner here of a DPOR Package....... love it!!!!!!

 

[D4D]

After making a kitchen for my last camper and several storage units for my Prado I decided to buy the Drifta DPO package for my next camper. Luke makes a fantastic product and I am happy to support him as I know the care and attention that goes into his work.

[Jjw1234]

Thanks guys. I think I have almost convinced him. Given I want the 1m pantry box at one end of the storage box I would prefer it to be made by drifta. That way it can match the kitchen. I will let you know who wins with "discussion" ?

[dazzler]

Buy a drifta.  I am a woodworking legend and mine were crap. LOL

[Barry G]

I have designed and built my own 12 ply kitchen cupboards, when the daughter was less than 1 - she is now 23 and the cupboards are as good as the day they were screwed, glued, stained and sealed... etc.
I am sure it is possible for any handy person with tools and time to do a great job, however I doubt any of us would get all the little touches right first up that Drifta have included in the course of refining their product.
Might be possible to do a good job cheaper, but is it worth it once you factor in time as well? I doubt it.

[McGirr]

Made my own storage box. I got a company to cut the 15mm marine ply to my measurements plus they put plastic skids in the bottom for me. Then just screwed and glued it together. I added marine carpet and a divider that can be moved. Added Some varnish and it did the Gulf Trip with flying colours. Total cost $265.00. A drifta one del to Cairns was $600.

Yes not a drifta but saved me money and does the same thing.

Mark

[Jjw1234]

Any chance that company was in Melbourne mark?

[Jjw1234]

Whoops sorry. Just read you are from cairns

[McGirr]

Whoops sorry. Just read you are from cairns

If there is a company in Cairns that does there will be one in Melbourne for sure.

Mark

[Brucer]

Drifta website has some convincing rationale about building your own http://www.drifta.com.au/settFAQ.php#whycant

Although there is alot less design involved in a storage box compared to a full kitchen.

[paulo]

Don't forget the oldie but a goodie---

Quality remains long after the price is forgotten 

[muzza01]

I've made numerous hi-fi speaker boxes out of mdf using a router and they are glued together using epoxy glue.

I plan to put the lessons I've learned into practice to make some storage boxes which I will coat with epoxy resin. No reason that they shouldn't be as durable as the plywood drifta boxes.

But this will wait until after I free up a bit of space by moving my fridge into the back of my vehicle.

Cheers, Marschy

I agree that MDF will be strong enough but it is bloody heavy.  I think a 2400X1200X19mm sheet of MDF is around 40KG whereas ply with the same thickness is around 28KG.  I once made some bookshelves to mount on a wall at our old house.  After finishing them, I went to lift it up and just about broke my back.  I know MDF is a cheaper option but it quickly starts to add up in weight.  Just my 2c worth.

[Marschy]

Only going to be 12mm MDF. I've made stuff like this before using a jig to make joints like this using a 6mm router bit.



The joint is very strong when epoxied. If I ever get around to it, I'll post some pictures and get some weights.

[dazzler]

Mdf will swell. Even sealing it makes it swell.

Join the campaign @ nomdf.com.au

[Marschy]

I've sealed mdf with epoxy resin in the past, never had a problem with it swelling.

[Barry G]

I agree that MDF will be strong enough but it is bloody heavy.  I think a 2400X1200X19mm sheet of MDF is around 40KG whereas ply with the same thickness is around 28KG.  I once made some bookshelves to mount on a wall at our old house.  After finishing them, I went to lift it up and just about broke my back.  I know MDF is a cheaper option but it quickly starts to add up in weight.  Just my 2c worth.

Luke certainly doesn't agree with you Muzza:  of course, we don’t use any chipboard or MDF, if we did , they would fall apart
Must say that I agree with him.  I recall MDF being marketed as "the woodworkers clay" however, to continue that analogy, I would expect that,given the stresses involved in a camper, especially if used off road, the 'clay' would quickly revert to 'mud'.
MDF is essentially a combination of dust and glue, and as such has no genuine structual strength as found in timber / ply.

[GeoffA]

Any chance that company was in Melbourne mark?

McGirr's drawer works very well. I've seen it in action, and it's like a Tardis.....

I've found Richard Halpin at Melboards in Hallam (http://www.melboards.com.au/) to be very helpful.
Maybe give him a call to see what they can do......

 

[Barry G]

Only going to be 12mm MDF. I've made stuff like this before using a jig to make joints like this using a 6mm router bit.



The joint is very strong when epoxied. If I ever get around to it, I'll post some pictures and get some weights.

! agree that those and similar joint cutters result in an exceptionally strong joint, and I have used similar with both ply and timber.  With MDF however it won't do anything to strengthen the  'two dimensional' i.e. 'flat' areas, and especially the sections of shelves between the uprights which might carry significant weight.