News24

Styling Marian van Wyk

QUICK PROJECT GUIDE

Hard labour 5/10

Skill level 6/10

Time needed 1 to 2 hours

Do it yourself for less thanR900:

wood, screwsand hinges (legs and paint/varnish excluded)

You will need

SHOPPING LIST

• 18mm plywood cut to:

four 500 x 400mm (box sides)

two 364 x 400mm (bottom andshelf, small box)

two 764 x 400mm (bottom andshelf, large box)

four 364 x 70mm (struts, smallbox)

four 764 x 70mm (struts, largebox)

one 500 x 1200mm (back)

two 500 x 440mm (sides,outer frame)

two 1 240 x 440mm (top andbottom, outer frame)

three 492 x 392mm (doors)

• one packet 6mm x 50mmchipboard screws

• one packet 8mm x 30mmchipboard screws

• one packet 6mm x 16mmchipboard screws

• six cabinet hinges

• four legs

• 120-grit sandpaper

• paint or varnish

• one packet shelf nails

TOOLS

• cordless drill and 3mmdrill bit

• pencil

• tape measure

• multi-square

• wood clamps

• 8mm drill bit

• 24mm spade bit

Project notes

Our sideboard consists of asmall box and a larger box thatwere screwed together; theywere strengthened with a framearound the outside and finishedoff with a top, legs and doors.
Ask your timber merchant tocut the wood to size - it willmake your task so much easier.
Also ask your timber merchantto cut the recesses in the doorsfor the hinges.
Sand the pieces of woodbefore joining them together.
Remember to drill pilot holes.
Look out for legs at secondhand shops or flea markets;or choose castors for a trendynew look.

Get started

1. Make the smaller box by screwing the 364 x 400mm bottombetween the short sides of two 500 x 400mm box sides.Screw two of the 364 x 70mm struts between the other shortsides (the top) and the other two at the back. (Use the 6mm x50mm chipboard screws and 3mm drill bit.) Use the samemethod to make the larger box, but use the 764mm pieces. Screw the two boxes together with the 8mm x30mm screws.

Tip

Use the wood clamps to keep the boxes inposition while screwing them together.

2. Position the sideboard with its back facing upwards. Screw on the 500 x 1 200mm back piece to keepthe sideboard square and sturdy. Measure and mark where the four legs should be positioned at the cornersof the 1 240 x 440mm bottom of the outer frame; drill pilot holes and attach the legs with 6mm x 50mmscrews. Stand the sideboard upside down and screw the base in position with its rear edge flush with the back.

Look out for interesting table legs at markets and second-hand stores.

3. Screw the two 500 x 440mmsides of the outer frame to thebox sides from the inside.Place the sideboard upsidedown on the remaining 1 240 x440mm piece and screwtogether from inside - thisforms the top of the sideboard.

4. Screw the hinges to the door with the 6mm x 16mm screws and then use a 3mm spacer to hold the doors in placebefore you screw them to the sideboard. Measure and mark 60mm from the top and side of each door and drill a holewith the 24mm spade bit - this serves as a handle. Decide how high you want the shelves in each section and tap theshelf nails in where they will rest. Sand the entire sideboard thoroughly with 120-grit sandpaper and paint or varnish thewood in the finish of your choice.