I How to Make an Island

cut the toe-kick notches into the ends and divider using
a Jigsaw.
A. CUT THE ENDS & DIVIDER
1. Cut the ends and divider to size from pine panels,
using a circular saw.
2. Measure and mark the 3"-wide X 3
1
12"-tall toe-
kick notches on the lower front corner of all
three pieces using a combination square. This
notch allows you to approach the cabinet without
stubbing your toes against the bottom.
3. Clamp each piece to your work surface, and cut
out the toe-kick notches using a jigsaw.
B. PREPARE THE CLEATS
The cleats reinforce the internal joints of the cabinet.
Countersunk pilot holes are drilled through each cleat
in two directions and are offset so the screws won't hit
one another.
1. Cut the horizontal and the verticals cleats to length
from % X %" stop molding.
2. Clamp the vertical cleats together so the ends are
flush , and mark four pilot hole locations along the
length of each cleat. Drill countersunk pilot holes
at each marked location.
3. Remove the clamps and give each cleat a quarter
turn. Reclamp the cleats, then mark and drill the
second set of offset pilot holes. Repeat the process
for the horizontal cleats, drilling three holes
through one edge of each cleat and two offset holes
through an adjacent edge.
134 BUILD YOUR OWN CUSTOM CLOSET
Gang the cleats together while drilling countersunk
pilot holes.
C. ASSEMBLE THE ENDS & DIVIDER
1. Align a vertical cleat along the inside back edge
of one of the ends. Align the pilot holes so the
back can be attached through the offset holes.
2. Apply glue and fasten the cleat to the end with
countersunk I" screws. Attach vertical cleats
to the inside face of the other end, and to both
back edges of the divider. Attach the horizontal
cleats to the ends and divider, using glue and
I" screws.
D. ATTACH THE SHELF STANDARDS
1. Cut a 15 X 30" template from scrap
particleboard or heavy-stock cardboard. Make
sure the standards are properly aligned in the
same direction so the holes for the supports line
up.
2. Place the template on the lower horizontal cleat,
and center the template between the vertical
cleat and the front edge. Measure 2" up from
the bottom edge along each side of the template
and make a reference mark.
3. Place a standard against each edge of the
template and adjust so the bottom of the
standard is on the 2" mark. Nail the standards in
place with the provided nails.
4. Repeat for the other end, and on both faces of
the divider.