Out in the shop for a couple sessions today. First, I got the shelves properly spaced and marked so that I knew where they were going to be located. That let me know where I had to drill.
- 15 shelves spaced.jpg (352.76 KiB) Viewed 924 times
I set those aside after disassembly and it gave me room to work. Back to the chop saw and I cut the pieces for the base. I needed the three pieces for the top and sides then three spacers to keep the sides square. I got those test fitted, and was happy, one piece was a hair too long but that could be trimmed later. The base won't be seen at all anyway.
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I set up the table saw to rip all the various pieces to width. Feather board to keep the pieces against the fence and a push stick to protect the old hands.
- 17 rip setup.jpg (389.88 KiB) Viewed 924 times
I cut all the pieces for the spice rack at 3-1/4" wide. I cut the sides for the base to width to produce the proper height combined with the top, then the top to the same 3-1/4" width to match the spice rack. I cut a 6" piece to the same width as the sides, then cut it at the width of the gap between the sides to use as spacers and decided I only needed one for each end, inset about an inch. (Otherwise the screws for the top would strike the screws holding the spacers coming in from the sides.)
That done, I measured and marked all the holes to be drilled, and drilled ALL the holes on the drill press needed for assembly in both the spice rack and the base. Then I Re-assembled the base and used a pilot bit marked with tape for depth to predrill into the board to which the screw would feed. Assembly was accomplished.
- 18 base assembled.jpg (346.1 KiB) Viewed 924 times
I reassembled the spice rack, and clamped it all together. As I moved to each position I used a rawhide mallet to tap the piece into the alignment marks and checked them with a square. Then, with the pilot bit, drilled the holes to the proper depth using the predrilled holes as guides. Screwed that segment together and repeated the process working my way around, two screws at a time. CHECK and recheck each pair before drilling and screwing the joints.
- 19 reassembled.jpg (401.72 KiB) Viewed 924 times
After slow and steady progress, working my way slowly around and assuring alignment... the spice rack was finally assembled. It was solid and stable.
- 20 screwed together.jpg (355.64 KiB) Viewed 924 times
I took it, the base, and the drawer slide in to test fit it beside the stove. It was a good fit, and looks as if my design will work fine. There may be some adjustment needed to the drawer slides to make them match up as I allowed a bit of leeway. Better to need a bit of shimming, which is no issue, than to have the assembly too tall, which would be a major issue. I have about a quarter inch of play which I won't worry about until the countertop is completed. Shims on the bottom of the base or under one or both of the Drawer Slides will adjust for the spacing.
Miss T was pleased. Now to look at mounting the dowels to keep the spices INSIDE The racks and do some sanding. I thought of some additional options while I was recovering from the day's labors.
When we sold the place the stove we put in still looked new. (okay, the coatings had burned off the various parts exposed to flames, but the enameled surfaces were clean and rust free and the drip pans were still bright and shiny.)
