How to Build Your Own Mini Helmet Cabinet

Determine how many cubbies you need in your mini helmet cabinet by counting the number of helmets in your collection. Once you know how many cubbies you need, you can decide on the arrangement. Arrange your cubbies in one or two rows or in a square shape with an equal number of rows and columns.

Draw out a sketch of your mini helmet cabinet using a pencil and paper to determine the dimensions of the pieces you need to cut. Each cubbie should be approximately 7 1/2 inches long, 5 1/2 inches deep and 5 1/2 inches tall. Accommodate for the 1/2-inch thickness of the walls on either end of the cabinet and for the dividers between the cubbies.

Cut two equal-sized pieces of 1/2-inch plywood to the proper dimensions for the top and bottom of your mini helmet cabinet using a jigsaw. Cut two more pieces of 1/2-inch plywood for the sides and one large piece for the back of the cabinet.

Consult your sketch to determine how many vertical dividers you need, and cut as many pieces of 1/2-inch plywood to 5 1/2 inches in width and height. If your cabinet design has multiple rows, cut an additional piece of 1/2-inch plywood using the length and depth measurements as a divider between each of the rows.

Assemble the basic frame of your mini helmet cabinet by laying the back panel flat in front of you. Apply a bead of wood glue along the top and bottom edges. Press the edge of the top and bottom panels into the line of wood glue, and hold them in place for about a minute to let the glue set.

Flip the frame over carefully so the back of the back panel is facing up and the front edge of the top and bottom panels lay flush with the ground. Drive nails from a nail gun through the back panel into the top and bottom panels to secure them in place.

Repeat this process to secure the two side panels to the back panel. Drive additional nails from the nail gun through the edges of the top and bottom panels into the thickness of the side panels to secure the joints.

Measure and mark the position of each of the horizontal shelves in pencil on the plywood side panels. Apply a bead of wood glue along the back panel in the desired position, then slide each of the shelves into place. Drive nails from a nail gun through the side panels into the thickness of each shelf, then flip the frame over and drive the nails through the back panel into the back of each shelf.

Use the measuring tape to divide each horizontal shelf into 7 3/4-inch sections, and mark each section in pencil. Slide the small dividers into place between the horizontal shelves at each marking, and use the nail gun to secure them in place. Drive nails through the back panel into the back of each divider and, when possible, drive additional nails through the top or bottom of the divider to secure it in place.

Paint or stain your mini helmet cabinet as you desire, and allow it to dry completely before mounting it on the wall. To mount your cabinet, screw metal wall brackets into the back of the cabinet at each end and in the middle, then hang the brackets on a nail or drywall anchor installed in the wall.