How to Build a Wood Cabinet Box

Determine the desired dimensions for your cabinet box with a tape measure. Place the measuring tape horizontally inside the cabinet for the box’s desired length, and from the cabinet’s bottom to the top for the height. Lay the measuring tape from the back panel to the front for the desired depth of the box. Record all three measurements. You can create various sizes of cabinet boxes by using altering the measurements.

Lay the plywood sheet down, so you can sketch the required panels for the cabinet box. Draw two rectangles with a pencil and the ruler on the plywood sheet with the height and depth dimensions. Use the ruler for making straight lines. These two panels are the cabinet box’s side panels.

Draw two additional rectangles with the pencil and ruler that serve as the cabinet’s end panels. The end panels are the box’s front and back panels. Use the height and the length dimensions, but subtract 1 inch from the desired length figure, so that the side panels do not add an extra inch when constructed. The subtracted inch makes room for the two side panels.

Draw a large bottom piece for the wood cabinet box on the plywood using the pencil and ruler. The bottom panel must cover the entire box frame, meaning the bottom panel must measure the depth and length dimensions.

Turn on the table saw and cut out the five plywood panels you drew on the plywood sheet. Follow the pencil lines when cutting, so the panels are straight and even. Remove any splinters and cracks by sanding the edges with the medium-grit sandpapers.

Place the two side panels on the half-inch sides, so that they lay down on the lengthy sides. Place the two end panels in between the two sides, so that the end panels are perpendicular to the sides. The side panels must overlap the ends of the end panels, so that the total length of the box is the adjusted length of the end panels, plus the two side panels.

Nail the corners of the box by hammering nails through the side panels. Continue until the nails extend through the side pieces reaching into the end panels. Use at least two screws per corner for a secure box.