DIY for Lyptus Cabinets

Measure the length and height of the space where you want to install your cabinet. These measurements will be the cabinet's dimensions. You will be using 1-by-10 inch lyptus, so the depth of your cabinet is 10 inches.

Cut two pieces of 1-by-10-inch lyptus to the length of your cabinet with a circular saw. These boards are the top and bottom panels for the cabinet's frame. Like most hardwoods, lyptus is sold in various thicknesses measured by the 1/4-inch. Look for 4/4 lyptus which will be about 1 inch, or four quarters of an inch, thick.

Use the circular saw to cut two pieces of 1-by-10 inch lyptus to the height of your cabinet, minus 2 inches to accommodate the thickness of the top and bottom panels. These are your side panels.

Stand the four lyptus panels you just finished cutting upright on their longest narrow edges. Arrange the panels in a rectangular shape, with the side panels positioned between the top and bottom panels. Drive 2-inch wood screws through the top and bottom panels into the side panels to secure the cabinet frame.

Cut a 1/4-inch sheet of plywood to the length and height of your cabinet to serve as the back panel. Lay the back panel flat over the top of the rectangular frame you just constructed and attach it with a nail gun and 3/4-inch finishing nails.

Measure and mark the position of your shelves along the side panels of the cabinet frame in pencil. Decide whether you want to install the shelves at equal intervals or vary their height to accommodate a variety of items.

Use the circular saw to cut the shelves for your cabinet out of 1-by-10-inch lyptus. Cut each shelf to the length of the cabinet, minus 2 inches to account for the thickness of the side panels.

Slide the shelves horizontally into place between the side panels where you made the pencil marks. Use a level to ensure that the shelves are even. Drive nails through the outside of the cabinet frame into the shelves to secure them in place.

Fill all screw and nail holes with wood filler and allow the filler to dry completely. Once the filler has set, sand the surface of the wood smooth with fine-grain sandpaper. This prepares the surface of your cabinet for paint or stain.

Cut a sheet of 1-inch lyptus to the overall length and height of your cabinet for the cabinet door. If a 1-inch sheet is not available, fuse several pieces of 1-by-10 inch lyptus together. To do this, divide the length of the cabinet by 10 to determine how many boards you'll need. If the number doesn't divide evenly, cut two boards to equal the remaining width. Lay the boards vertically side by side with the two smallest boards on the outside. Cut two strips of 1-by-2 inch lyptus to the length of the cabinet and attach them lengthwise across the vertical boards.

Paint or stain your cabinet frame to match the decor in your room. Work with the cabinet door separately. By painting the door, before attaching it, you will avoid getting paint or stain on the hinges. Allow the paint or stain to dry completely before moving on.

Screw one side of two metal hinges along the left edge of the cabinet door with 1/2-inch wood screws. Position the hinges so they are about 2 inches from the corners. Screw a metal knob or handle into the front of the cabinet door.

Lay the cabinet door flat on top of the cabinet frame and fold the hinges over so the free sides are flush with the outside of the left side panel. Screw the hinges into the side panel with 1/2-inch wood screws. Open and close the door to test the hinges. If you've fused 1-by-10 inch pieces to make the door, make sure the 1-by-2 inch boards are inside the cabinet when the door is mounted.