Laundry Cabinet With Ironing Board

Tools:

table saw
L-bracket
spring clamps
combination square
circular saw
jigsaw
drill
hot glue gun with glue
wood glue
nail gun
router
torpedo level
stud finder
awl
pull saw
tape
rasp
needle-nose pliers
tape measure
carpenter's pencil
safety glasses
dust mask
3/4-inch poplar for frame
1/4-inch pine plywood for back of cabinet
3/4-inch birch plywood for shelf and ironing board
2x2 lumber for ironing board support pieces
barrel hinge
small diameter chain
5 eyebolts
latch for eyebolt

1. Sketch out a design first, including measurements. Put on safety glasses and dust mask and cut frame elements out of poplar using the table saw.

2. Assemble pieces by applying glue to the end, then clamping the pieces to an L-bracket (figure A).

3. Mark points for nails and then drive in nails using nail gun (figure B). Be sure to wear safety glasses

4. Place a piece of 1/4-inch plywood on top of the frame and mark a line to serve as a nail guide. Set the combination square so the line is 3/8-inch from the edge, which will place your nails in the middle of the 3/4-inch poplar frame (figure C).

5. Attach plywood with nail gun along two sides. Trim excess plywood on other two sides using a jigsaw to make a rough cut and a router to make the fine cut.

6. Cut a birch plywood shelf to fit front of cabinet using table saw.

8. Cut an ironing board out of the 3/4-inch birch. Cut it so it will fit inside the cabinet when turned sideways.

9. Cut support pieces for ironing board out of 2x2 lumber and birch. Place long piece against bottom side of cabinet, place birch pieces on either side, spaced so the ironing board will fit between them, then top off with another long 2x2 (figure E).

10. Attach pieces using glue then secure by driving nails through the back of cabinet and into supports.

11. Notch a 2x2 block to secure the ironing board inside the cabinet when not in use. Attach block to back of cabinet with glue (figure F).

12. Use a screwdriver and needle-nose pliers to attach eyebolts near inside top of cabinet and near inside edge of shelf. Cut restraining chain to two equal lengths and attach to eyebolts using pliers (figure G).

13. Attach the last eyebolt to the edge of the shelf, near the top, and attach the latch to the side of the cabinet so it fits into the eyebolt, securing the cabinet shut when not in use.

14. Use the stud finder to locate wall studs. Have someone hold the cabinet in place and secure to the wall studs using a drill and screws (figure H). Use a torpedo level to make sure the cabinet is level.