The Bottom

The bottom is to be made the width of the sides, less the thickness of the back. You will notice in the drawing that the back laps down upon the bottom. Square the stock and make this piece.

The Back

The back piece should be furnished in one board of three-ply material. You will notice that this is made up of three thin pieces glued together. The grain is reversed; this makes a very strong board. You need not cut it to size until the frame is assembled.

The Bottom Skirt Board

The bottom skirt board joins the side pieces with a plain butt joint. Square the stick and make the piece the required size.

Assembling

This work is to be assembled with nails driven through from the outside. These nails should be carefully set with a sharp-pointed nail set. Make sure that the cabinet is perfectly square in every way when the back is nailed in position.

The Shelves

The material for the shelves should be planed to the exact size shown in the drawing. You may make the shelves adjustable if you wish, allowing them to rest on small screw eyes.

The Door

The door is to be put together with mortise and tenon joints, as indicated in the drawing. The door material is to be plowed or grooved to receive the panel, which is of 1/4", three-ply. This plan of making a door is a very excellent one; you should exercise great care and learn to do it well. Practically all doors for fine cabinets are made in just this manner. Study the drawing very carefully and execute each piece accurately. Assemble the door with glue. You should not glue the panel; it will be less likely to warp if left free to contract or expand with changes of temperature. Clamp the door, and allow it to stand at least twelve hours for the glue to harden. When it is thoroughly dry, with a sharp plane, plane all surfaces, and finish with a steel scraper and sandpaper. Plane the edges to make it exactly fit the cabinet. Put on the hinges and the spring catch.

Finishing

Medicine cabinets are usually finished white. To do this give it two coats of white paint, allowing each to dry thoroughly, and if you desire to have a very beautiful finish, one or two coats of white enamel. If you prefer, you may stain it the desired color and finish with shellac or varnish. It is customary to finish both the inside and outside of a small cabinet like this. Note: If this is to be used for a shaving cabinet you will find it very convenient to have a mirror in the door panel.

Optional and Home Projects Employing Similar Principles.

China Cabinet

1. By enlarging this cabinet as one's needs may require, and providing it with glass doors, a china cabinet could be made.

Book Case

2. The plan of the china cabinet will require but little modification in making a book case.

School Lockers

3. Inexpensive school lockers may be constructed on the plan given in this lesson; the size and shape could be determined by local needs.