Saturday, December 3, 2016

DIY Bath Caddy



That's it, I'm DONE!!!  I've had it!

I've had it with those cheep wire bath caddies that rust inside of a week.

That big box retail store that starts with a "W" and shall remain nameless, can keep their cheaply made Chinese imported stuff.

In fact the only thing worse than a cheaply made wire caddy is an expensive cheaply made wire caddy (cough, Bed Bath &...cough, cough).

I've got DIY on my side and I'm not afraid to use it...

DIY Bathroom Caddy





Materials


2 - 1x2 Project Boards (1/4" Thick)

1 - 1x2 Project Board (1/2" Thick)

1 - 1x4 Project Board (1/4" Thick)

NOTE: All board lengths are 8' long and 3/4" thick unless otherwise noted.

Choice of Stain



Cut List


2 Bottom Box Side Pieces @ .25" x 3" x 6"

2 Bottom Box Side Pieces @ .25 x 3" x 4.75"

4 Top Boxes Side Pieces @ .25" x 1.5" x 6"

4 Top Boxes Side Pieces @ .25" x 1.5" x 4.75"

9 Bottom Pieces @ .25" x 1.5" x 6"  

2 Vertical Side Support Pieces @ .5" x .75" x 21"

1 Top Cross Support Piece @ .5" x .75" x 5.75"  


Cutting Diagrams


1x2s - 1/4" Thick

1x4 - 1/4" Thick

1x2 - 1/2" Thick


Step 1

Cut all of the side pieces that are 6" long.  The bottom box and the top two boxes are different depths.  That doesn't matter at this stage.  Just cut two 6" pieces from the 1x4 and four pieces from the 1x2.

Then along the bottom of all six pieces route a 1/8" deep rabbet that will accommodate the width of the bottom piece.  In this instance it is 1/4".


Step 2

Same thing here, only cut all the pieces that are 4.75" in length.

Then route the dadoes along three sides of all the pieces.  This is different from step 1 as the other sides only gets the rabbets on their bottoms.


Step 3

The bottom pieces are edge glued together to get the desired width and length of 4.5" x 6".  3 of the pieces listed for the bottom pieces in the cut list glued side by side will give you something slightly larger than what we need.

Then just cut them to final width on the table saw.

PRO TIP:  Cut all the bottom pieces about 1/2" to 1" longer than required in the cut list.  When they are edge glued the ends may be off slightly from each other.  The extra length will allow you to cut the ends flush to the exact final dimensions of the bottom piece.

Apply some wood glue to the rabbets and position the sides on the bottom piece.

Before apply clamps continue to step 4.


Step 4

Position the other two sides.  The rabbets should automatically set all the pieces to their correct angles to make a perfectly squared up box.

Obviously don't forget glue at all the joints.


Step 5

Once all the boxes are dry and out of their clamps cut the vertical support pieces to width and length.

Position your boxes at whatever desired distance from each other you want.  A simple glue joint should work in this instance IF...(notice the capital IF)...the wood glue you are using is rated #2 or #3.

#2 rated wood glue is water resistant and #3 rated wood glue is water proof.  Water resistant glue is good enough, in my opinion, for moist bathroom conditions if the project will not be submerged in water.

If the project will be placed directly in a shower then #3 would be recommended.


Step 6

Same thing for the other side.  Glue and clamps until dry.


Step 7

Place the top cross piece in place with glue and clamp in place.

A small dowel can be drilled from the top down for a stronger more durable joint here.  This is an instance where a simple butt joint would not be recommended wholly.

The reason is because you will have a tendency to pick the bath caddy up by this part and it will need some reinforcing to withstand the test of time.



Final Thoughts

Once the project is dry it can come out of the clamps and be sanded down.  A few coats of your choice of stain along with a few more coats of a project sealer such as some polyurethane will complete this awesome gift giving idea.

I hope you enjoyed our 3rd Day of our 12 DIY Christmas Gift ideas.

Don't forget to stop by again tomorrow for another great project to help you with your gift giving dilemma's.


Until then!


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