Storage space is at a premium in many homes and apartments. Learning build a freestanding wardrobe closet is an inexpensive way to add to your storage and preserve cherished clothing and possessions. The use of the cedar plywood paneling inside will also keep out pests.
Instructions
Side Panels
1. Cut one ¾ inch sheet of plywood along the grain into 2-21" pieces.
2. Crosscut them to 63" and router the top edges 3/8" wide and ¾" deep to accommodate the top panel.
3. Measure and mark 2 ½ " in on either side of the bottom and 2 ½" inches up the side. Connect the marks in a curve to form the bottom feet of the closet. Cut out the area between the feet to allow the wardrobe closet to be freestanding.
Front Panels
4. Cut one piece of ¾" plywood to 18 3/4" along the grain and crosscut it 31 1/4" to form the front base. Measure and mark 2 ½ " in on either side of the bottom and 2 ½" inches up the side. Connect the marks in a curve to form the bottom feet of the closet. Cut out the area between the feet to allow the wardrobe closet to be freestanding.
5. Cut the front upper rail by cutting the ¾" plywood one piece at 4 3/4"along the grain and crosscutting it to 31 1/4". Cut the center post by cutting the ¾" plywood one piece along the gain at 2" and crosscutting it to 39 1/2" .
6. Cut the center post support by cutting the ¾" plywood one piece at 3 1/2" and crosscutting it to 46". Center the center post than glue and tack it onto the center post support.
7. Cut two doors by cutting the ¾" plywood two pieces 14 5/16" x 39 1/8".
8. Cut two 1 1/4" x 57 1/2" front side braces from the solid wood piece.
Top, Bottom and Back
9. Cut one piece 30 ½" x 21" for the top lid from the ¾" plywood.
10. Cut one piece 29 5/8 " x 21" from the ¾" plywood for the bottom panel.
11. Cut the back panel from the ¼" cedar plywood panel. The dimensions should measure 30 ¾" x 62 ½".
12. Cut two pieces-4 1/2" x 21" from the ¾" plywood for the bottom side support braces. Glue these to the side panels.
13. Cut two pieces-4 1/2" x 29 3/4" from the ¾" plywood for the bottom front and back support braces.
Assembly
14. Glue and tack the two side panels to the front panel, the bottom support braces to the bottom panel and the side support braces to the side panels.
15. Clamp the front post component to the center of the front bottom panel. Glue and tack the front upper panel in place. Center the post component on the upper panel and glue and tack it in place on the top and bottom.
16. Cut two pieces of 1/4" door molding-39 1/2" in length and two pieces of 1/4" door molding-14 5/16" in length. One end should be straight, the other a 45 degree angle. Glue and tack all molding in place and the top panel in place.
17.Lay the wardrobe closet face down. Center the Back Panel so that a 1/4" reveal remains on all sides. Tack the back panel in place. Set the closet upright and hang the inside rod.
18. Fill in all nail or screw holes and sand and polyurethane the exterior only, including the doors. Let dry thoroughly then attach the hinges, knobs and the door closing mechanism to the doors and hang them.
Tags: cutting plywood, from plywood, plywood piece, support braces, along grain