Thursday, September 20, 2012

Make Your Own Kitchen Cabinet Storage Slide

A cabinet storage slide is a shelf that slides out of the cabinet or cupboard. The sliding shelf stores larger items, such as pots and pans, or items you frequently use that you want to access easily. A sliding shelf is ideal for those who cannot bend down to reach for a kitchen item on the bottom shelf. Does this Spark an idea?


Instructions


1. Detach the sliding tracks from one another. Each track will have a base track -- the outer track -- and a sliding track that slides inside the base track. Pull the sliding track out of the base track on both pieces.


2. Place the measuring tape along the inside wall of the cabinet where you want to install the slide. Measure the depth and width of the cabinet. Write both measurements down and subtract 1/2 inch from each. This is so the sliding shelf will not grind on the walls.


3. Draw the sliding shelf on the plywood with a pencil and ruler using the measurements from Step 2. Turn on the table saw and place the plywood up to the blade. Cut out the shelf and sandpaper along the edges to remove cracks.


4. Place one of the base tracks inside the cabinet's side wall. Use the level to ensure the base track is level and even. Draw a line under the base track. Repeat this step on the opposite side. Make sure the tracks are identically placed, using the measuring tape to measure the height of each installment. Install the base tracks on the lines and secure them with screws and a screwdriver.


5. Install the sliding tracks on each side of the plywood shelf using screws and a screwdriver. They should be installed on the depth side of the shelf. Then connect the shelf to the base tracks in the cabinet by holding the shelf at an angle and applying light pressure. Wait until you hear a click and then level the shelf. Push the shelf all of the way in so the cabinet door can close.







Tags: base track, sliding shelf, base tracks, measuring tape, screws screwdriver