How to Create Base Cabinets

Place two parallel 1/2-by-18-by-28-inch boards on the working surface with their long, thin sides touching the surface. Adjust them so they are about 18 inches apart, as they will serve as the base cabinet side boards. Position a 1/2-by-18-by-18-inch board perpendicular to them and pressed against one of their ends.

Adjust this board, which will be the top board of the cabinet, so its outside edges are even with the outside edges of the side boards. Drill holes through the top board and into the side boards, placing 4 evenly spaced holes into each side board for a total of 8 holes. Use 2-inch wood screws to secure the boards through the holes.

Position a 1/2-by-17-by-18-inch board on the other end of the side boards, parallel to the top board to serve as the bottom board. Adjust the bottom board within the cabinet frame so that its top-facing surface is 4 inches from the bottom ends of the side boards. Drill 3 holes through each side board and into the bottom board. Attach the bottom board to the side boards with 2-inch wood screws in each hole.

Set a 1/2-by-18-by-28 1/2-inch plywood sheet on top of the cabinet to serve as the rear board. Position the edges of the sheet so they line up around the other boards, and drill holes every 6 inches through the rear board and into the adjoining boards. Set 2-inch wood screws in each position, and attach them with the screwdriver.

Flip the cabinet over, and set a 1/2-by-4-by-18-inch board across the cabinet frame so it is even with the outside edges of the bottom board and side boards. Drill holes through the board, which is the front base board, every 4 inches into the side and bottom boards. Attach the front base board to the other 3 boards using 2-inch wood screws in the holes.

Set a 1/2-by-18-by-24 1/2-inch board across the frame above the front base board. Adjust this board, which is the door, so that its edges are even with the side boards, top board and front base board. Position 2 side-mount cabinet hinges on the side of the base cabinet side board and door, and mark their screw holes. Drill the screw holes. Attach the hinges to the door and the side board using 1/2-inch wood screws.