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A shallow pull-out tray on slides that retrofits into an existing base cabinet — turn a deep, awkward shelf into a drawer you can actually reach the back of.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tray sides Cut to your cabinet depth. | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 20" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Tray front/back Cut to your opening minus slide clearance. | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 13" | 1x6 | ☐ |
| Tray bottom | 1 | 1/4" × 14 1/2" × 20" | 1/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Slide rails | 2 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 21" | 2x2 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1x6 board, 8 ft (Pine) Tray box. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 2x2 board, 4 ft (Pine) Slide rails / base. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1/4" plywood scrap Tray bottom. | 1 each | ☐ |
| 21" drawer slides Side/bottom mount. | 1 pair | ☐ |
| Pocket and wood screws, 1-1/4" and 2" | 30 each | ☐ |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4" | 20 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 3 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Pencil, Tape Measure
Measure the clearance opening of your cabinet — remembering the door hinges take up a little room — and the depth. The example had about a 14-1/2" clearance opening once the hinges were accounted for. These numbers set every cut; a tray built to the nominal opening won't clear the hinges.
Tools: Circular Saw, Drill / Driver, Speed Square. Materials: 1x6 board, 8 ft, Pocket and wood screws, 1-1/4" and 2", Wood glue
With everything cut, build a simple box — 1-1/4" pocket screws or 2" countersunk screws and glue. Keep it square.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Hammer. Materials: 1/4" plywood scrap, Finish nails, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Since side/bottom-mount slides carry the load, you can just tack a 1/4" plywood bottom onto the box with 1-1/4" finish nails and glue.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Drill Bit Set. Materials: 2x2 board, 4 ft, 21" drawer slides, Pocket and wood screws, 1-1/4" and 2"
Attach the drawer-slide pieces to the 2x2 rails, mounting them level and in the exact same position on both 2x2s. This is critical — slides that aren't parallel will bind and jam.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Pocket and wood screws, 1-1/4" and 2"
Position the whole assembly inside the cabinet. In a tight cabinet, screw the 2x2s to the shelf from underneath; with more clearance, fasten them however suits. Slide the tray in — it lifts out easily for cleaning or finishing, and the 2x2 rails keep items from sliding off the sides.