How to Build a Jelly Cabinet

Place two pieces of 1- by 12- by 36-inch lumber on a worktable. Measuring from the corners on one end of each the lumber pieces, make marks on both 36-inch sides at 3, 3 3/4, 13 3/4, 14 1/2, 24 1/2 and 25 1/4 inches. Put the straight edge on the marks and draw lines across the lumber. The space between each set of lines indicates where the shelves will be installed.

Measuring from one corner at the same end of each piece of 1- by 12- by 36-inch lumber, make marks at 1 1/2 and 10 inches on the 12-inch side, the actual measurement of which will be closer to 11 1/2 inches because of the way lumber is measured and sold. Place the triangle square on the marks on each board and draw lines up to the line at 3 inches. Cut along the lines to cut out a 10- by 3-inch rectangle with a jigsaw. This is the bottom of the jelly cabinet.

Drill three pilot holes midway between the lines at 3 and 3 3/4 inches, those at 13 3/4 and 14 1/2 inches and those at 24 1/2 and 25 1/4 inches on each board with the 1/16-inch drill bit. Drill one pilot hole 1 inch from each of the 36-inch sides and one midway between the two. Drill three pilot holes 3/8 inch from the top of each board, spaced the same as the others.

Apply glue to both 12-inch (actually 11 1/12)-inch ends of four pieces of 1- by 12- by 13 1/2-inch lumber. Secure these boards with 4-penny finish nails through the pilot holes drilled between the lines on the 36-inch lumber. Clean up the excess glue with a damp cloth.

Run a bead of glue on the 1-inch edges of the shelves (actual measurement closer to 3/4 inch) and the sides of the jelly cabinet from the bottom shelf to the top. Place the 33- by 15- by 1/4-inch plywood on the glue and secure it with the box nails. Turn the cabinet over and clean up the excess glue as before.

Set the three pieces of 1- by 2- by 15-inch lumber on the worktable so the 1 1/2-inch side of each board is facing up. Make marks on the side facing up on each piece of lumber at 1, 6, 9 and 14 inches. Keep the marks 3/4 inch from the long sides. This puts them in the center of the side facing up. Drill a pilot hole on each mark all the way through the three pieces. These are for the finish nails.

Lay two pieces of 1- by 8- by 33-inch lumber on the worktable so the long sides are touching and they are even on the ends. The two pieces together, measuring 15 inches wide by 33 inches long, will be the door to the jelly cabinet. Label one of the 15-inch sides as the top and the other as the bottom. Apply glue on one 1 1/2-inch side of each of the three 1- by 2- by 15-inch boards.

Secure the 1- by 2- by 15-inch boards to the front of the door with the 3-penny finish nails. Put one even with the top of the door, one even with the bottom and one midway between the two. Allow the glue to dry.

Install the full overlay door hinges on the door according to the manufacturer's instruction once the glue is dry. Install the door on the cabinet using the hinges.

Sand the cabinet and finish with paint or wood stain.