Four-Bin Trash and Recycling Cabinet

Instructions

1. 1Cut MDF Materials

   Using the cut guide at the back of the plans cut and label all the MDF pieces

2. 2Route Grooves

   Using a router, cut 5/8" grooves in the drawer front, sides, and back. The groove should be 1/2" from the bottom of the drawer and 3/8" deep. You may want to make the groove slightly larger (1/16" or so) to allow for the pieces to fit easily together and room for the glue

3. 3Assemble Drawers

   Once the materials are cut and grooves routed, assemble the one top drawer and 2 bottom drawers (front/sides/backs only - not face pieces). I glued and screwed the drawers together.

4. 4Build Base Frame

   Using 2x4 cut as per the drawings build the base of the cabinet. I used pocket holes to attach the base together and the base board to the frame (along with wood glue)

5. 5Frame Cabinet

   Frame out the cabinet with 1x1 (2x4 cut down)as per the drawing and photo.

6. 6Finish Framing Cabinet

   add bracing to the sides and top of the cabinet as per the drawings and photos

7. 7Add Trim

   • Add MDF trim/face to front of cabinet as per drawings. I glued and nailed the trim into place.
   • Check for square and your measurements as this is important for fitment later on.

8. 8Add Drawer Hardware

   Fit and add Drawer hardware - depending on your choice of slide this may effect the bracing you need on the sides of the cabinet.

9. 9Test fit drawers

   Test fit drawers and adjust hardware as required.

10. 10Fit Face plates

    Fit face plates and adjust sizes as required. You can use shims to hold and place and secure fronts to drawers. Once you have the desired fit, mark your slide hardware as you may want to remove it when you go to paint the cabinet. You can install the diagonal braces on the drawers at this point. I used them to pull in the face plates slightly so they sat flush with the cabinet face. I used pine 2x4 (cut down as per drawings) so it wouldn't crack and used screws and glue to hold in place.

11. 11Paint

    • Once you ensure all drawers fit nicely, and are happy with how they open and close, remove all drawers and hardware and prep for paint. You can use drywall mud to patch holes/edges.
    • Sand and prime We used a paint sprayer for primer and first coat and rolled the final top coat on all exposed faces.

12. 12Counter Top

    Install counter top of your choice. We ended up making out own. It consisted of five 2x6" glued and pocket screwed together and cut down to 26" wide x 50" long. We stained it with Varathane Kona Premium Wood Stain and applied varnish to protect the top.

13. 13Install

    Install Cabinet - it isn't detailed in the plans but I ended up installing a 4" wide strip of MDF along the back of the cabinet so I could easily secure the cabinet to the wall (and to wall studs). Once cabinet secured install counter top. I screwed it in all 4 corners and 2 along the center of the cabinet. Reinstall your drawers, install drawer pull hardware, and enjoy your new Trash and Recycling Cabinet!