DIY: Rabbit Hutch Design #2

Not long ago I posted a rabbit hutch design that I built for my neighbors.  They have a lot of rabbits and needed six cages to house them.

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Zero Waste Chicken Feeder

We love Chicken!

More importantly, we love chickens!

They give us nutritious eggs.  They help me teach my children what it means to be a part of the circle of life and to not take where our food comes from for granted.

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DIY: Step Stool

My daughter will love me for this story later in life.

You know when you are potty training young children.  You're over the hump and past the hard part.  It would be smooth sailing if it wasn't for the fact the your little one isn't tall enough to get on the big person potty all by themselves.

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Medium Size Backyard Chicken Coop - 6 to 8 Chickens

A chicken coop should be more than just a place for chickens to come home and roost.  It should be something that you and anyone you host in your backyard should be proud to showcase.

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DIY: Rabbit Feeder

 I was finishing up the Rabbit Hutch project for my neighbor and was getting some final footage for the video when I saw him break out some new feeders.  He saw me look at them funny.

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DIY: Rabbit Hutch

Raising rabbits is something I have been wanting to do for some time now.  I have always managed to push it to the back burner because my wife is not as keen to the idea as I am.

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Wooden Storage Crate

One day my wife says she has had it.  She's tired of not having enough storage.

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Roll Around Storage Bin Cart

Storage is a great thing.  If your like me and have trouble with commitment, then mobile storage is perfect.

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Roll Around Air Compressor Nail Gun Storage Cart

My nail guns have been going from the top of the freezer, to the floor, to the top of the worm bin for some time now.  In fact, they seem to rotate time in all three places.

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DIY: Mobile Fold Down Miter Saw Station

I like the idea of miter saw stations.  The problem I had with them for a long time was the fact that they take up so much space.

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DIY: Roll Around Shop Cart

Before we get down to the dirty on this project allow me to provide a frame of reference as to why I designed this roll around cart the way that I did.

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DIY: Compost Bin

There was a time in my life when I did not think much about what the world would be like after I am gone.  I would use and use and then use some more.  I thought recycle bins were ridiculous and a waste of time.  Then I met my wife and we started a family.  The addition of each child brought a new awareness that their would be life after me.

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Drill Bit Storage Cabinet

One size drill bit gets used quite often in my shop.  I have several of the same size.  Why?  I use it to predrill holes for the #8 screws I use in a lot of projects.  Unfortunately I have a nasty habit of misplacing all of them.

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Magnetic Storage Rack for Drill & Driver Bits

A magnetic storage rack is a simple and easy way to keep all those drill and driver bits you may have laying all over the shop.  In fact, the type of magnets that I used in this build are strong enough to hold not just drill and driver bits, but screwdrivers and a 16oz hammer.  This is a quick and easy way to keep all those small metal pieces from getting lost in the void.

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DIY: Jewelry Box - Video

No self respecting vanity dresser would be complete with out a jewelry box.

This design offers three drawers with two different sizes.  A larger bottom drawer and two smaller top drawers.  Drawer dividers can be made and placed inside each drawer for better organization of your jewelry.

Larger pieces such as necklaces and watches can be placed in the bottom drawer.  Smaller pieces such as rings, ear rings and bracelets can be placed in the more appropriately sized top drawers.

Let's build that!

DIY: Jewelry Box

TIPS: The following measurements may be substituted.
1.5" = 1x2's
2.5" = 1x3's
3.5" = 1x4's
5.5" = 1x6's

Use caution working with solid lumber wider than 1x6's.  Especially soft woods such as pine.  I find they show a greater propensity to warp, twist and cup.  Gluing boards side by side, otherwise known as a glue up, will offer greater stability across the project.

Cut List:

2 - Top and Bottom Pieces @ 16" x 5.5" x 1/2"
4 - Corner Pieces @ 5.5" x 1/2" x 1/2" (not depicted in video)
2 - Side Pieces @ 6" x 5.5" x 1/2"
1 - Middle divider @ 16.5" x 5.5" x 1/4" (not depicted in video)
4 - Guide Pieces @ 5.5" x 1/2" x 1/2"
1- Guide Piece @  5.5" x 7/8" x 1/2" (part of the center guide)
1 - Guide Piece @ 5.5" x 1" x 1/2" (part of the center guide)
4 - Drawer sides @ 6.5 x 2.5"
6 - Drawer sides @ 5.5" x 2.5"
2 - Drawer sides @14.75" x 2.5"
1 - Drawer bottom @ 15.25 x 5" x 1/4"
2 - Drawer bottoms @ 7" x 5" x 1/4"

Step 1

Cut the top and bottom to length.  You can route the dado for the top center drawer guide now if you would like.  I chose to wait until after the next step and measured 8-1/4" over from each side.

Step 2

Cut the four corner pieces with the grain running perpendicular to the grain of the top and bottom boards.  Wood glue and clamp in place as shown.

This step was not depicted in the video.

Step 3

Cut the sides to length and route all corresponding dadoes. 

Step 4

Cut the middle divider to length and attach the side pieces.  It is always better to start assembly from the center and work your way out when possible.

Step 5

Attach the top and bottom pieces with glue.  Clamp in place and wait until dry. 

Step 6

While the carcass of the jewelry box is drying in the clamps it would be a good idea to start on the drawers.  Cut all the sides to length and width.

Then size all of the drawer bottoms.

Step 7

Be sure to route the dadoes for the guides into all six drawer sides.  Then make all necessary adjustments and route the 1/4" dado for the drawer bottoms as depicted in the video.

Step 8

Cut the drawer guides to size.  The center drawer guide is the only one that is more than one piece.  It is two pieces glued together at 90 degrees.  The one tricky thing to take note of here would be to ensure this piece will be even with the guide on the other side of the drawer.  If it isn't then the drawers will not be level and this could throw off how the drawers operate.

Be sure to take an exact measurement of exactly how deep of a dado you have routed into the top. Then add the exact measurement of how far down from the top of the jewelry box sides you routed the dado for the opposite drawer guide. 

In this instance in these photos the dado for the center guide is 1/8" deep.  The dado for the opposite side guide in step 3 is 3/4".  Adding the two together you get 7/8".

Step 9

Dry fit all the drawers to ensure proper fit and operation of the drawers.  Make adjustments where needed.  I used a number 4 hand plane to make slight adjustments for each guide before continuing.

This step is also why I chose to hold off attaching the drawer fronts to the drawers.  So I could actually see what my tolerances were for each drawer both front and back.

Step 10

Once you are satisfied with the way everything fits together.  Glue and clamp the drawer guides in place.

Step 11

While the drawer guides are drying you can attach the drawer fronts to the drawers.  I simply measured for proper overhangs and glued in place.

Step 12

I used the same honey maple stain I used for the vanity dresser,  After two coats of stain and three coats of satin polyurethane we are left with a pretty good looking jewelry box that is perfect for not just a little girls room but any lucky woman's room.

Final Thoughts

I did not place a back on the jewelry box.  The reason was because it was always going to be referenced off the back of the vanity dresser and the rear would never be seen.  It would be easy to route some recessed rabbets into the back and place a back panel.  You would have to shorten up the drawers by the same measurement if you wanted the box to be completely enclosed.

The only thing not shown in the finished picture above are the drawer pulls.  Obviously this is a matching piece and part of a set.  The drawer pulls will be matched with the vanity dresser.  I did not put them on for this photo because I did not want people to get distracted from the actual jewelry box itself. 

Find me on Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest.  Also be sure to check out my YouTube channel for lots of great project videos.  If you see any of these project designs that you would like to see a video for, let me know.  If I get enough interest in one I will be sure to build and upload.

Until then,

Happy DIYing!!

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Backyard Banana Bread

Here's an old recipe that has been in the family for years and is tried and true.

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DIY Miter Saw Station - Part 1

I received an email request recently for plans to my miter saw station slash cabinet that is seen in many of my YouTube videos. 

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Homemade Caramel Apples

After we got back from North Carolina we had a load of apples to deal with.

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DIY Vanity Dresser part 2 - Building and Installing Drawers

Drawers are an essential part of any dresser.  Lets build some for our DIY Vanity Dresser and give them a personal touch to boot.

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DIY Extension Cord Holder

If you thought storing your extension cords neatly until you needed them was just a pipe dream, wake up!  The sun has risen my friend.

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DIY: Kids Craft Station

A kids craft station that provides lots of work space. offers lots of storage and looks great too!  Lets build that.

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DIY: Vanity Dresser Part 1

Recently we sold our house.  Don't worry, we're not homeless.  We bought another.  We went from a three bedroom to a four bedroom home.  It has been a great move.  The children once again have a bedroom all their own.

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Sky Top Orchard - A Family Vacation

Recently the Sullivan family loaded up the SUV and headed for North Carolina.  The weather had not turned too cold just yet and the leaves were just beginning to fall from the trees.  Sky Top Orchard was our destination.  Fun was our goal.  Mission accomplished!

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