A method and calculator for building foamcore drawer organisers
Tired of drawer chaos? This post details a DIY approach to crafting custom foamcore organizers, offering precise construction techniques. Its appeal on HN lies in the practical problem-solving, the hands-on crafting, and the ingenious web-based calculator developed to streamline the process.
The Lowdown
The author tackles the universal problem of cluttered drawers, specifically a Bisley chest, by developing a custom organization system using foamcore. Dissatisfied with off-the-shelf solutions, they detail a methodical approach, complete with a custom calculator, to craft bespoke inserts.
- What is Foamcore? It consists of two sheets of paper sandwiching a layer of hard, dense foam, making it ideal for creating rigid, lightweight structures.
- Essential Tools: Basic crafting tools are required, including a sharp knife, a hard edge (like a carpenter's square), a cutting mat, craft glue, and small pins for assembly.
- Construction Steps: The process involves figuring out panel shapes, cutting them to size, and then gluing and pinning them together, typically starting with the base and two sides.
- The Calculation Challenge: The tricky part is accurately accounting for foamcore thickness in measurements, which is why the author built a web-based calculator to simplify dimensioning and material estimation.
- Box Variations: The method extends beyond simple open boxes to include risers for elevated items, stackable designs, and internal dividers for further compartmentalization.
- Calculator Development: The custom calculator was built rapidly in about three hours using Claude Code, highlighting the efficiency of AI-powered development tools.
This comprehensive guide offers a practical, precise method for anyone looking to bring order to their drawers, leveraging the versatility of foamcore and the power of a custom computational tool.