DIY Under Sink Storage

How to Build DIY Under Sink Storage

1. 1 Make Templates

   

   Cut a template out of cardboard to represent the front of each drawer. Use scissors to trim the template at angles as needed so that the template slips forward and back without interfering with plumbing or fixtures. When you're satisfied with each template, trim 3/4” off of each side of the template (this allows room for the 3/4” plywood side pieces of the drawer box). The fronts and backs of the drawers fit between the sides.

   TIP: The template represents only the front and back of the drawer. The sides of the drawer must be vertical, but their heights will vary if the template angles on one side. The height of the side should be no less than 2” to provide enough room for the drawer guide.

2. 2 Make a Cut List

   

   Sketch the drawers on a piece of paper using the templates. Draw the dimensions for depth (front to back) based on 22” full-extension drawer slides, which is standard in kitchens. It's a good idea to make the drawers 1” shorter than the guides to provide some flexibility for fitting and sizing. The width and height of the drawer are determined by your cabinet space, but a cut list for a typical drawer should look like this:

   • (2) pieces of 3/4” plywood, 21” long for the sides
   • (2) pieces of 3/4” plywood for the front and back, length and width per sketch
   • (1) piece of 1/2” plywood for the bottom, length and width per sketch 
     
     
     

   TIP: Measure the depth of your kitchen sink cabinet from front to back. If it won't accommodate 22” guides, full-extension guides are available in 20, 18, and 16” lengths.

3. 3 Build the Drawers

   

   Use the  BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* 5-1/2 in. Circular Saw to cut the parts following your cut list for each drawer. Use the BLACK+DECKER 4.5 Amp Jigsaw to cut angles or other shapes on the front and back parts to match your templates.

4. 4 Assemble the Drawers

   

   Apply glue to the ends of the front and back pieces for each drawer. Allow wood glue to dry as directed by the manufacturer’s recommended dry time. Fit the drawer sides over the ends of the front and back so all pieces are flush on the outside. Drill pilot holes through the sides using the BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Lithium Drill/Driver with AutoSense™ Technology and a 1/8” drill bit. Screw the drawer boxes together with 1 1/2” screws. Apply wood glue to the bottom of the drawer sides, back and front. Allow wood glue to dry as directed, and screw the 1/4” plywood bottom to the drawer, using 1” screws.

   TIP: Depending on what type of screw you're using, pilot holes should be just slightly smaller than the screw. The idea is to allow the hole to be big enough for the screw to pass through without splitting the wood, but at the same time, small enough so that the threads grip firmly.

   

   Depending on what type of screw you're using, pilot holes should be just slightly smaller than the screw.

   The idea is to allow the hole to be big enough for the screw to pass through without splitting the wood, but at the same time, small enough so that the threads grip firmly.

5. 5 Prepare the Mounting Braces

   

   Use the 20V MAX* 5-1/2 in. Circular Saw to cut two 3 x 22” strips of plywood for each drawer. Also cut one piece of 3/4 x 3/4” board 22” long for each drawer. To assemble the L-shaped braces, drill four pilot holes through two adjacent sides of the 3/4 x 3/4” pieces at 90° angles to each other, offsetting the sets of holes so they don't intersect. Apply wood glue to one side of a piece of 3/4” stock, and place it against the side of a plywood strip so the pieces are flush at the bottom. Screw the pieces together with four 1 1/4” screws, using the horizontal pilot holes. The vertical holes will be used to attach the strips to the cabinet shelf.

   TIPS:

   • Braces are needed to mount the drawers to the cabinet sides and shelves. The outsides of the drawers mount to the cabinet sides and only need a strip of plywood for bracing. The inner sides of the drawers mount to the cabinet shelves and require an L-shaped brace made with plywood and a piece of 3/4 x 3/4” solid wood.
   • Check the fit of the drawer and plywood braces. If there's not enough room to mount the brace on the shelf because of plumbing, use the 4.5 Amp Jigsaw to trim it with a semi-circle or other shape to fit around the obstacle.

6. 6 Sand the Wood Parts

   

   Sand the drawers and mounting braces smooth with the BLACK+DECKER MOUSE® Detail Sander and 100-grit sandpaper. Round over each corner and edge.

7. 7 Assemble a Drawer Unit

   

   Remove the drawer guides from their packaging and separate them. Screw the drawer guides marked "DR" and "DL" to the right and left side of the drawer, respectively, 1 1/2" up from the bottom of the drawer using the included screws. Screw the drawer guides marked "CL" and "CR" to the plywood mounting braces, 1 5/8” up from the bottom edges of the braces, attaching one guide to a 3/4-inch-thick fir plywood brace and the other to an L-shaped brace. The 1/8” difference in the mounting heights prevents the drawer from dragging on the shelf. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for more installation details.

8. 8 Place the Unit in the Cabinet

   

   Fit the cabinet guide into the matching drawer guide on both sides of the drawer to form a complete unit, and place the unit inside the cabinet. Remember, one runner attaches to the shelf and the other attaches to the cabinet. Use the BLACK+DECKER 4V MAX* Lithium Pivot Screwdriver to drive 1 1/4” screws through the vertical pilot holes in the L-shaped brace to secure the drawer to the cabinet shelf on the inner side. Use a pencil to mark the location of the 3/4” plywood brace on the opposite side.

   Pull the drawer out, pressing the two tabs at the back end of each drawer guide to release the drawer guide halves. Remove the outer guide and mounting brace from the cabinet and drill four evenly spaced pilot holes through the plywood mounting brace with a 1/8” drill bit. Place the mounting brace back in the cabinet on your marks, and screw it to the side of the cabinet with 1 1/4” screws.

9. 9 Insert the Drawers

   

   Fit the wheels on the back of the drawer guides into the runners on the cabinet guides. Slide the drawer all the way back until the guide halves engage with each other. Repeat steps 7 through 9 to install the remaining drawers.

   TIP: If a drawer rubs or doesn't move in and out smoothly, you can move the drawer guides using the oval-shaped adjustment holes. Pull out the drawer to access the oval-shaped holes. Loosen the screws in the holes, tap the guide to adjust its position and then retighten the screws.