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| Nine-Cube Storage |
| Use cubic design to make a handy storage unit. |
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Based on a cubic design, we've made a useful storage unit consisting of nine square compartments. To keep the costs down, we used MDF. The unit consists of six open-fronted compartments and three drawers which run across the bottom of the unit.The nine identical boxes are held together with connector screws, with sides locked into the top and the base. The unit is easy to dismantle, which makes moving it around a breeze. The small components can fit in a car and are easy to carry up stairs, etc. Safety tip: wear a protective mask when cutting the MDF to avoid breathing in harmful dust. Cut the components as per materials list, making sure all pieces are square. If necessary, contact a local fabrication shop to cut the larger sheets for you.Each of the nine boxes is made up of four identical pieces, 318 x 295mm.Note: the height and width of the box is 318mm, and the depth 295mm. Each side of the box has two screw holes (4mm diameter) drilled at one end of the 318mm length. (See diagram 1). Mark and drill the first piece, then use this as a template to drill the remaining sides.The assembly jig is made by securing the pieces of 50 x 25mm (or similar size) dressed timber onto the workbench so that the box frame will sit secure and square during assembly. (Diagram 2).
2
Place the four sides in the jig, making sure the screw holes line up to screw into the ends without the holes. Keep the edges flush and drill the pilot hole (3mm) into the other side. Glue and screw together. Make sure the screw head is flush with or just below the surface. One useful tip is to use the "Chinese restaurant revolving table" idea to speed up this process. (You can glue 36 sheets this way!) Simply bang a single nail through the centre of the jig base, and you can now rotate the sides as you work. The remaining eight boxes can now be assembled in an identical manner.
3
Three boxes are fastened together with connector screws. These special screws are used for connecting adjoining cupboards. Temporarily clamp together, and drill an 8mm diameter hole in the centre of the boxes about 50mm in from the front edge.
4
Position these three joined boxes on the base (1100 x 295mm). Allow additional thickness of the side panels at each end and cut base to length.Fit the fancy moulding (31 x 15) around the edge of the front and ends of the base with mitred corners, cutting to length as required. Keep it flush with the bottom and make sure moulding protrudes above the base to "lock in" boxes. Glue and nail.Repeat for the top, this time keeping the moulding flush with the top and making sure it protrudes underneath to "lock in" the top row of boxes.
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Make up the base frame with the 92 x 18mm material. The outside of the frame is exactly the same size as the base. Mitre the front corners, then glue and nail together. (See diagram 3).
6
Glue and screw the base shelf to the base frame, keeping the edges flush at the back. Screw two edges in each cross member about 50mm from the edge.Three of the loose boxes are then placed on the base. Place the next three already joined together on top and then the last three on top of them. Measure and cut the two sides (1030 x 295mm), which are the overall height of the three boxes.
Slip the side pieces in against the end of the boxes and the timber-lipped edging of the base. Place the top on the boxes to "lock in" the sides.
7
Fit the additional connector screws through the outside edge of the boxes and the side pieces at the same position as the other connectors. The remaining two connectors are then fitted on the top row. Cut the sheet of plywood to fit on the back.
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Check that the drawer fronts (3 pieces @ 298 x 298mm) fit inside the bottom row of boxes, with a small clearance.
Glue and nail (20mm panel pins) the front insert (274 x 282mm) on the inside of the drawer front, keeping flush with the top edge and 12mm in from each end.Glue and nail the drawer sides (280 x 298mm) into the recess against the drawer front and into the drawer back (274 x 282mm). Keep the back level with the top edge of the sides.Cut six pieces of 12 x 12mm MDF 282mm long. Glue and nail along the inside bottom edge of the drawer sides to form a runner for the plywood bottom. (See diagram 4). Cut the plywood drawer bottoms to size. Slide in, glue and nail into the underside of the front insert and back of the drawer.Fix the knobs in the centre of each drawer. Sand the unit with fine sandpaper and paint or stain as desired.
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Materials
MDF Masterwood (18mm):
1 sheet 2400 x 1200mm - cut 28 pieces 318 x 295mm (boxes)
1 sheet 2400 x 900mm - cut 8 pieces 318 x 295mm (boxes)- cut 2 pieces 1030 x 295mm (boxes)- cut 2 pieces 1100 x 295mm (top and base)
1 piece 3.6m length, 92 x 18- cut 2/1200 and 4/300mm (base)
12mm MDF Masterwood (for the drawers)
2 sheets 1200 x 600mm- cut 3 pieces 298 x 298mm (fronts)- 6 pieces 280 x 298mm (sides)- 6 pieces 274 x 282mm (backs & front inserts)- 6 pieces 12 x 282mm (runners for plywood base)
Timber edging:
31 x 15 fancy oak moulding, 2 pieces @ 2400mm - cut to length as required (step 4)
2 sheets of plywood, 1220 x 915 x 3.6mm (back of unit and drawer bases)
PVA glue
Screws: 80/50mm x 8g countersunk
Rib head chipboard
Drawer knobs
Connector screws (pack of 6)
Nails
Sandpaper (fine)
Protective mask
Tools:
Electric hand saw
Square
Drill and bits
Hammer
Nail punch
Plane
Mitre box
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Cost
Using MDF, the total cost of the project was $170. To make it in solid timber would cost upwards of $250.
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More Info
CSR MDF Masterwood available from hardware stores nationwide.
All other materials also available from your local hardware store.
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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