I did it! I constructed the cubby bridge on my studio workplace space cupboards all on my own yesterday, and I couldn’t be extra thrilled with how this part is popping out! As a reminder, right here is the aim…
And at first of the day yesterday, that is how the cupboards in that space of the room regarded…
The precise cupboards (the white components) are IKEA Sektion cupboards, and I’m within the means of customizing them. This has been a multi-post undertaking simply getting them so far, so I’ll hyperlink the earlier posts on the backside of this one.
When it got here to constructing the cubby bridge, my preliminary thought was the construct it within the carport, after which carry it inside and screw it to the edges of the cupboards. However I work alone. For many who are new round right here, my husband Matt has M.S. and is utterly unable to assist me with initiatives. And whereas there are a number of individuals who can be prepared to come back and assist me, I actually hate to trouble individuals for issues like this. Plus, I’m fiercely impartial, and I thrive on determining the best way to do issues myself.
In order that was the problem. How do I construct a cubby bridge, after which hoist the factor up there on my own whereas making an attempt to screw it into place? The reply? I DON’T! As an alternative, I made a decision to construct it in place. That appeared like essentially the most “work smarter, not more durable” answer to me. Right here’s how I did it…
First, I measured and marked the place I wished the bridge to be hooked up to the facet cupboards, and I hooked up a chunk of scrap wooden to the facet of the cupboard with the highest fringe of the board alongside the road I simply marked. This ledger board is momentary, and I hooked up it utilizing three 1.5-inch 16-gauge nails.
After which I repeated that course of on the opposite facet.
With my momentary ledger boards in place, I measured and reduce a chunk of three/4-inch plywood for the underside of the cubby bridge. It took a few tries to get the match excellent, however on the second attempt, it match completely between the facet cupboards and rested on the ledger boards. You’ll be able to see that it bows down a little bit bit within the center, however I wasn’t fearful about that. That can be corrected later within the buiding course of.
After becoming that piece, I eliminated it and drilled three pocket holes on every finish. These pocket holes are on the highest of the board, not the underside. The underside is seen when standing within the room, and I don’t need seen pocket holes, and I don’t like having to fill pocket holes on areas that can be seen.
To drill the pocket holes, I used my Kreg Pocket Gap Jig. That is the one I’ve (affiliate hyperlink), and it’s price each penny. If you wish to construct furnishings or cupboards, this device is a must have merchandise!
So once more, I drilled three pocket holes on every finish of that piece, ensuring I drilled the holes on the highest of the piece.
At this level, I introduced my scaffolding in to make the entire constructing course of a lot simpler. That is the one I’ve (affiliate hyperlink — additionally out there at House Depot), and it’s yet one more factor I purchased not too long ago that I ponder how I lived with out for thus lengthy!
So standing on the scaffolding, I positioned the plywood piece again on the momentary ledger boards, pocket holes dealing with up, and I screwed the piece into the facet of the tall cupboards.
With that secured in place, it regarded like this. The bow within the center was nonetheless there, however I wasn’t fearful about it at this level. I simply wished to make it possible for it regarded degree with the trim on the prime of the window.
As soon as I used to be certain it regarded degree, I eliminated the momentary ledger boards. That did go away three nail holes on all sides that I’ll should fill and sand, however I’m okay with that. We DIYers who work alone should do what it takes, and filling and sanding six small nail holes is a small value to pay for getting this job achieved on my own.
Subsequent, I used my desk noticed to chop the items for the ends. I hooked up these by nailing from the within of this facet piece into the plywood on the facet of the facet cupboard (i.e., within the route my nail gun is pointing under).
After which I additionally nailed by way of the underside plywood piece and into the sting of the facet piece.
After repeating that on the opposite finish, I used to be prepared to chop the again piece to suit inside the 2 finish items. That is the place the bow in that backside board can be corrected. You’ll be able to see the again piece set into place under, and the bow in that backside board continues to be seen.
To safe that again piece, I first nailed by way of the facet items into the sting of the again piece.
After repeating that on the opposite finish, I nailed by way of the underside piece into the underside fringe of the again piece.
That is what took care of the bow and straightened up the underside plywood piece. You’ll be able to see that there’s not a niche between the 2 items at this level.
To be clear, aside from the six pocket screws holding the underside piece in place, I constructed the whole factor utilizing 1.5-inch 16-guage nails. I’ve full confidence that these nails will maintain. The type that go in a nail gun are very tough, and actually seize into the wooden. In the event you’ve ever constructed something utilizing these nails, and needed to take items aside, you know the way robust they’re. However you probably have much less confidence than I do in how nicely the nails will maintain, you may all the time use wooden glue along with the nails, and even add extra pocket holes to carry the items collectively.
Subsequent, I reduce and hooked up the highest piece, nailing it throughout the three sides that sat on the facet items and the again piece. I nailed by way of the highest and into the sides of these three items. At this level, it was actually beginning to appear like one thing! 😀
And the ultimate step of the essential construct for the cubby bridge was to chop and fix the dividers. I reduce them utilizing my desk noticed, after which hooked up them identical to the opposite items.
After measuring and marking for placement of those divider items, I nailed by way of the underside piece into the underside edged of the divider items.
After which I nailed by way of the highest and into the sides of the divider items.
And with that, the essential construct was achieved! It’s going to take a whole lot of trim and ending to get this part of cupboards to appear like I envision in my thoughts, however I’m nicely on my means!
I so want that each single certainly one of you could possibly see this in particular person. Footage don’t do it justice. This part of cupboards went from trying type of small and dwarfed by that tall, broad wall, to trying very substantial, like it might probably maintain it’s personal in opposition to that massive wall. Generally, extra is certainly higher! 😀 And I believe, when it’s all completed, it’ll look far more like customized cupboards now.
So keep tuned, as a result of arising subsequent, I’ll get the entire thing trimmed out and prepared for primer and paint. I’m getting actually enthusiastic about seeing this part completed quickly!
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I rework and beautify the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do the vast majority of the work on the home on my own. You’ll be able to be taught extra about me right here.