How to Build Kitchen-Cabinet Sliding Trays

Getting on your hands and knees to search for pots, pans and cookware in your bottom cabinets can become tiresome. For quicker access to items stored in bottom cabinets, fashion simple pullout trays or shelves with raised sides to keep contents from falling out during opening. Measure and calculate twice to ensure proper functioning and fit.

Measure tape
Pencil
Paper
Calculator
Mitre saw or circular saw
Wood, 1/2 to 1-inch by 4-inch
Wood, 1/2 to 1-inch, wide enough to accommodate cabinet surface area
Wood, 1-inch by 2-inch
Dremel tool
Wood glue
Nails and screws
Drawer slides and guides and hardware
Sandpaper
Paint or lacquer

Instructions

- 1
  Measure your cabinet interior from the back of the cabinet face to the back wall. Subtract 1 inch from this measurement. Measure the cabinet from one inside wall to the other. Subtract 2 inches from your width measurement to accommodate the spacers, or cleats, you'll install. They're made from 1-inch thick wood.
- 2
  Multiply the subtracted width by the subtracted cabinet depth to get the surface area measurement for the bottom of the tray.
- 3
  Cut your your side panels based on your final depth measurements, and the front and back panels using the final width measurements. Cut the shelf bottom using the calculated surface area. Use 1/2 to 1-inch by 4-inch wood for the sides, and 1-inch wood for the bottom.
- 4
  Cut three butt joints on each end of the side and end panels, about 1/4 inch apart, so that the corners interlock with each other.
- 5
  Cut a 1/4-inch wide dado on the inside bottom of each panel. It should measure 3/8 inch deep or so and sit about the same distance from the bottom of the panel.
- 6
  Fit the end panels onto the shelf bottom, securing with wood glue. Attach the sides in the same manner, interlocking the joint butts on all four corners. Secure with wood glue and screws or nails on all four corners.
- 7
  Cut spacers, or cleats, the same length as the drawer slides. They should measure as thick as the cabinet frame pieces.
- 8
  Install the drawer slides per manufacturer instructions. Leave at least 1/4-inch clearance in the front for the cabinet-door hinge.
- 9
  Glue the spacers atop each drawer slide on either side of the cabinet. Check that they sit flush with the cabinet frame pieces and the front of the drawer slide. Glue and screw or nail in place on both sides.
- 10
  Lightly sand the drawer. Paint or finish it with a lacquer or protective finish. Let it dry completely.
- 11
  Attach the drawer guides to either side of your finished shelf per manufacturer instructions.
- 12
  Slide the shelf onto the drawer slides in the cabinet. Test for smooth operation and adequate clearance of all cabinet and door pieces.

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