I am constructing what is called a laminar flow hood. It is useful for breeding plants and other things. They can take up a lot of space so I'd like to build it into two detachable pieces. One would be a fully enclosed box containing a fan and filter. The other would be a box open on two sides. One side of this box would attach to the fan/filter assembly, the other would be open for a working space. They need to attach securely so no air gets between them. Some type of gasket material may be necessary like what is used around doorways They need to fit together fairly securely. It can be built anyway I like. I'd like to be able to slide the top into some type of hanging fasteners and then use bungees on the side to pull them together but I don't know what kind of fasteners to look for. Worst case scenario I can use bolts and wingnuts all around but this doesn't seem elegant. Any ideas?

Hi all, I have a very basic question about cabinet installation! I'm a total noob, so thanks for your consideration of my very basic question :) I just finished building 8 storage cabinets (simple frameless boxes). They are each 2' high by 3' wide with inset doors made from 3/4 baltic birch (all sides and shelves). I am stacking them 4 high (8 feet) in 2 columns. The ceiling is almost 9 feet, giving me almost a foot between the top cabinet and ceiling. [IMG]http://i.imgur.com/cr0SsZV.jpg[/IMG] The floor is a concrete pad. I covered the concrete with a vapor retarder coating and then laid down commercial solid vinyl floor tiles. [B]Should I construct a base / platform / toe kick to place the first cabinet box on?[/B] Aside from providing correct counter height and a toe-kick for cabinets with a countertop, I don't see the need for a base platform for cabinets - but maybe I am missing something? I see some benefits of *not* using a platform, and simply placing the base cabinet directly on the floor: [LIST] [*] I don't have to spend more time constructing a platform [*] The significant weight of the cabinets (about 500 lbs per column unloaded, perhaps 1000+ loaded) can be borne by the floor rather than another structure (platform) [*] Placing the first cabinet directly on the ground gives me almost a foot of additional storage between the top cabinet and ceiling [/LIST] The benefits of using a platform that I've come up with are: [LIST] [*] Very slightly easier to shim one platform rather than 2 base cabinets for the 2 columns of cabinets [*] If the water heater leaks or the utility room otherwise floods, the platform would be damaged but not the base cabinet [*] Maybe (???) it would be better for the base cabinet to not be placed directly on the concrete floor, even though the concrete has had a vapor retarder applied as well as solid vinyl tile. [/LIST] I appreciate any comments. Thanks for reading :)