It occurred to me that it would be a good idea to keep track of costs while planning future furniture pieces. After I calculated the cost of materials for making an end table, I realized it would be quite expensive to make and I re-visited my floor plan to be sure I had enough space. I saw that I did not and cancelled production. After having that experience, I decided to calculate costs of printing another cabinet.

My design will produce a cabinet measuring about 19″ in width, 11″ in depth, and 27 1/4″ in height. Two design variations include 2″ adjustable feet, available on Amazon at $14.99 for a pack of 4. I usually buy wood boards and plywood from Home Depot; therefore all wood prices are Home Depot online prices. I am concerned about out-gassing; thus, I use PLA filament. Prices for filament amounts are based upon PLA/PHA filament at $39.99 per 750 grams. The costs below are for making 1 cabinet. The purpose of the second cabinet is to show the interior.

Filament: 6110 grams; 9 spools – $360 Wood Dowels: 3/8 inch oak; 36″ length- 70 – $95 Total: $455 (All amounts are approximate)

Filament: 1552 grams; 3 spools – $120 Wood Dowels: 3/8 inch oak; 36″ length; 20 – $27 PureBond Plywood: Maple Plywood Project Panel; 2 – 3/4″ x 2′ x 4′ – $32 Walnut Plywood Project Panel; 2 – 1/4″ x 2′ x 4′ – $43 Adjustable feet: $15 Wood Screws: Stainless Steel Flathead: $9 Total: $246 (Delivery and handling of wood not included) (All amounts are approximate)

Filament: 84 grams; 1 spool – $40 PureBond Plywood: Hickory Plywood Project Panel; 1 – 3/4″ x 2′ x 4′ – $33 Hickory Plywood Project Panel; 1 – 1/4″ x 2′ x 4′ – $23 Poplar Plywood Project Panel; 2 – 3/4″ x 2′ x 4′ – $48 Poplar Plywood Project Panel; 1 – 1/2″ x 2′ x 4′ – $23 Hinges: Soft close – $47 Adjustable feet: $15 Wood Screws: Stainless Steel Flathead – $9 Real Wood Veneer Edgebanding: $10 Total: $208 (Delivery and handling of wood not included) (All amounts are approximate)

I ordered Purebond from Home Depot in 2018, to make a printer enclosure. I paid $35 in 2018 to have five 1/2″ x 24″ x 24″ sheets of plywood delivered. I followed instructions for requesting a free single cut, but the wood was not cut as requested. I used the tools I had to cut the wood to the best of my ability. The process for requesting cuts may have improved, well, that is my hope.

In addition to the delivery fee, I would need to lease a car to bring the wood back and forth from a wood shop, if it has not been cut according to my instructions, adding approximately $100 to my costs. My total costs for making the wood versions would be $381 and $343. Wood it is! I really was not looking forward to struggling with the details of the accordion doors on the All Pla cabinet. I’ll leave that until next year and another project. Now, I just need to figure out if walnut or hickory fits my design scheme.