After School Magazine | Page 50

Step 3 Use spacers for perfectly positioned cleats. Cut a 3/4-inch square dowel for the cleats (C). Use wood glue and screws to secure them to the divider and the inside walls of the cabinet. For perfect spacing every time, cut two scraps to the cleat mounting height, position the scraps in the cabinet and rest cleat on top. Now attach each cleat in the perfect position every time. (Photo 2). Step 4 Cut the two shelves (D) from a 1 x 10; cut the shelf edging (E) from a 1 x 2. Set the shelves in the cabinet on the cleats -you'll notice these shelves are a little short like the divider; this is for easy insertion into the cabinet. (Do not glue them in position; they'll be easier to paint later if you remove them.) While the shelves are in place, drill pilot holes and attach the shelf edging (E) with screws. Mark the shelf edging that goes with each shelf and remove them. Step 5 Cut the tool holders (F) to length and drill five 1/2-inch holes 3/8-in deepon both boards. Now cut ten 1/2-inch round dowels to 1-3/8-inch long and glue into the holes. When the glue dries, temporarily secure the holders in position with screws. Good to Know Many times instructions direct you to attach parts and then re- move them. That's because the parts are easier to paint or finish if they're loose. If you tried to attach them later -- marking for position and drilling pilot holes and screws - you may damage the finish. In the end, this saves time and makes for a better result. MAKE A TOP AND THE DOOR Step 1 Drill holes in the corners and cut the sink opening. Retrieve the top (G) you cut earlier. Mark out the locations of the burners, the holes for the knobs, and the sink cutout (Project Diagram, Drawing 2). Drill 3/8-inch holes near the corners of the sink opening to slip in the blade of a jigsaw. Cut the sink opening (Photo 3). Step 2 Cut the backsplash (H) from a 2 x 4 the same length as the top (Project Diagram, Cutting List and Cutting Diagram). Sand the board and apply to the back of the top using glue and screws. Good to Know Use a clean-cut jigsaw blade and move the saw slowly -- this top is thick and the faster you move the saw, the more the blade may flex. A slow, steady cut is a straight cut. Step 3 Center the top and align the back of the backsplash even with the back of the cabinet (Project Diagram, Drawing 3) and then temporarily clamp the top to the cabinet. Step 4 Add the sink boards to the top. Cut four 1/2-inch round dowels 1-11/16 inches long. Glue the dowels into the holes in the handles (Project Diagram, Drawing 4). When the glue dries, set the handles aside. Cut the sink front/back (I) and sink ends (J) to length and insert into the opening. Cut the parts so they fit with just slight pressure (the cuts from the jigsaw will cause these dimensions to vary slightly); test-fit the parts until all four parts are in place (Photo 4). Once the four parts fit into the opening, remove them and apply glue to the ends of the sink parts and to the inside of the sink opening (do not glue them to the top of the cabinet as you insert the parts). Step 5 Cut the door (K) to size, and mark out the positions of the knob and handle holes and the opening for the acrylic. Drill clearance holes for a jigsaw blade, cut the opening in the door, and sand the opening smooth. Step 6 Cut the 3/4-inch square dowels to length for the short handle (L) and the long handle (M). The short handle will be mounted to the door you just made (K). The long handle will be mounted to the existing door. Use painter's tape to secure the handles to the doors so they are centered vertically in the middle of the vertical part of the door. Step 7 From the backside of the door, drill a 1/2-inch hole 1-1/8 inches deep through the door into the handle. Mark your drill bit with painter's tape 1-1/8 inches from the end of the bit, and then drill the holes -- drilling though the door into the handle aligns both parts. Now remove the handles and tape. MAKE THE DOOR Step 1 Step 2 Cut the eight 1-inch-long sections of 1-1/2-inch diameter dowel for the knobs (N). Drill 1/2-inch holes 1/2 inch deep, centered in the back face of the knobs (Project Diagram, Drawing 5). Step 3 Clamp the knobs for safe drilling. Small pieces of wood can be tricky and dangerous to drill if you try to hold the piece of wood in your hand. Use a clamp to secure the pieces, and add a second clamp to keep the part from moving on your workbench. This will keep your hands clear so you can focus on drilling accurately (Photo 5). Step 4 You will need to cut a variety of 1/2-inch dowel lengths to mount the knobs in different locations (Project Diagram, Drawings 5 & 9). For the two faucet knobs, you'll need two 2-inch-long dowels; for the four stovetop knobs and the faucet dowel, you'll need 1-11/16-inch-long dowels; and for the oven knobs, you'll need 1-1/4-inch knobs. After cutting and sanding the parts, glue the dowel pieces into the knobs.