How to Build a Base Unit Cabinet

To build a set of cabinets, you only need to know how to build two types of cabinets: base cabinets and wall-hanging cabinets. Once you are comfortable with these two forms of cabinetry, building the rest of the cabinet system is just a matter of varying the sizes of the boards used. Base cabinets are the simplest to install, yet slightly more difficult to build because the bottom shelf must be raised 4 inches to prevent water and insect damage.

2 plywood boards, 1/2-by-24-by-36-inch
Plywood board, 1/2-by-24-by-24-inch
Measuring tape
Drill
Drill bits
Wood screws, 2-inch
Plywood shelf boards, 1/2-by-23-by-24-inch
Plywood board, 1/2-by-24-by-36 1/2-inch
Plywood board, 1/2-by-4-by-24-inch
Plywood board, 1/2-by-24-by-32 1/2-inch
2 side-mount cabinet hinges

Instructions

- 1
  Have an assistant hold two 1/2-by-24-by-36-inch plywood boards on the working surface. Position them parallel to one another, keeping the longest and thinnest surface down. Slide these two boards, which are the side boards of the cabinet, about 2 feet apart, and set a 1/2-by-24-by-24-inch board against the ends of the parallel boards. This third board is the top board.
- 2
  Drill holes every 8 inches through the top board and down into each side board. Attach the boards by placing a 2-inch wood screw in each hole and tightening each screw.
- 3
  Position a 1/2-by-23-by-24-inch plywood board on the opposite end of the side boards, 4 inches up from the end of the side boards. Keep this board parallel to the top board because it is the bottom board of the cabinet. Drill two evenly spaced holes through each side board about 6 inches from each edge and into the bottom board. Attach the bottom board to the cabinet by inserting and tightening a 2-inch wood screw in each hole. Repeat for any additional desired shelving.
- 4
  Set a 1/2-by-24-by-36 1/2-inch board on top of the frame so that it covers the entire cabinet frame, with the edges of the board lined up with the outside of the frame. Drill holes every 12 inches into this board, which is the rear board, and into the frame boards. Set and tighten 2-inch wood screws in those holes.
- 5
  Flip the cabinet over. Set a 1/2-by-24-by-32 1/2-inch board and a 1/2-by-4-by-24-inch board on top of the frame, with the smaller board over the opening below the bottom board and the larger board between the top and bottom boards. Adjust the boards so that they line up with the cabinet frame.
- 6
  Drill holes every 8 inches into the smaller board and the frame. Set and tighten a 2-inch wood screw in each hole.
- 7
  Put two side-mount cabinet hinges in between the larger board and the cabinet, about 6 inches from the ends, and mark the locations of the hinge holes. Drill a hole into each marking. Attach the hinges to the larger board and to the side board of the cabinet.

How to Build a Diagonal Wine Rack

How to Build a Front Counter

Kitchen Furniture