Cookware Cabinet Storage Unit

Room by Room : Episode RXR-1613 -- More Projects »
PHOTO

Build an organized cabinet divider to neatly store pots, pans, lids and cookie sheets.
Materials:

3/4" plywood
circular saw
speed square
pine lumber (1x8, 1x6 and 1x2)
jigsaw
table saw
sandpaper
drywall screws
wood glue
drill
1/8" luan plywood
cabinet glides

Steps:

1. This storage unit consists of four main parts--the base, two dividers that make up the cookie sheet side and a third divider that makes up the pan lid area. The first step is to measure the inside of the cabinet. Cut the plywood for the base of the unit with a circular saw (be sure to allow for a few inches for the sides , the front and the back so that it will fit inside the cabinet with plenty of room to pull it in and out).

PHOTO

Figure A
2. Cut the two cookie sheet dividers out of 1x8 pieces of pine using a circular saw with a speed square to guide the cut. Use a table saw to cut horizontal dado grooves three and six inches away from the saw fence to allow the shelf to slide in and out of the dividers (set the blade height at 1/4 inch so the groove is deep enough for the shelves to be held in place). Run the divider through the saw and move the fence 1/8 inch so the dado is cut wide enough for the shelf to slide freely (figure A).

3. Cut the third divider from a piece of 1 x 6 and make it shorter so the handles of pots placed on the base will clear the divider. Cut vertical dados into this divider and also the center divider cut earlier. Use the table saw and the fence plus a stop block and miter gauge to prevent kickbacks. Make the measurements from blade to stop block; cut, and then move the block and fence 1/8 inch and cut again. Round the top front edges of each divider with a jigsaw and sand them smooth.

4. Attach the dividers from the bottom using counter-sunk drywall screws and wood glue. Start at one end; move in ten inches for the center divider, and then 12 inches from the center for the last divider.

PHOTO

Figure B
5. Dress-up the front and keep the pans from spilling out by attaching a lip made from the center divider to the pot side using 1 x 2 pine with a rounded end (figure B).

6. Cut the shelves out of 1/8-inch luan plywood.

7. Attach the glides to the bottom of the base and in the cabinet themselves according to the manufacturer's directions.

Also in this Episode