Last night was night # two in one of my semi-regular zero-sleep nights, so I decided to spend the entire day working on the cabinets, and hoping that the activity would keep me awake so I might sleep tonight. At six am, work began. As usual, entering my shop meant spending as much time working
on and searching
for tools as actually working on the cabinets!
The laser guide on my new Ryobi circular saw refused to zero out, forcing me to work solely with a clamping straight edge without the very reassuring laser light illustrating the line for me. OK. Pulled out the table saw and commenced with the usual cleaning and aligning. While I had the tools out I decided to finally install the optional Craftsman kick-down castors on the hind legs.
First order of business was to cut and install the second layer of 1/2" birch plywood to the "featured" side panels, yielding a total thickness of 1." That will be the minimum panel thickness throughout the cabinets.
Next up will be the front extensions and motor boards, as shown in an earlier post. The "motor board" - or the front baffle - will bring me really close to seeing the final shape of the cabinet.
I think all of us who enjoy "rolling our own" are constantly exploring new ways of doing things with new fixtures, tools, and hardware. For attaching the drivers, I'll be installing barbed inserts on the motor board to allow for frequent attachment/removal of the components . Shown are 10-32 barbs and some hex-head screws.
Finally, our local Home Depot has finally begun stocking some really cool cabinet screws. Available in various lengths, these are much harder than sheet rock screws, have hex heads, and built-in washers under the heads. Haven't quite decided where to use these, yet, but I love the appearance. Box of 100: about $6, including the bit.
GeeDeeEmm