Clothes Hamper

Conceal laundry with this stylish yet functional project.

Photography by Howard Lee Puckett

Clothes Hamper
General Instructions

Cut and label the parts as needed, using the Cut List and Cutting Diagram as guides and adjusting for fit. Lath parts and (13) fillers are ripped from 1/4-inch stock. The (04) legs are ripped from 2 x 2s. The remaining parts are ripped from 1 x 6 stock except the (09) floor, (14) back panels, and (16) top panel.

Step-by-Step
  1. Build the front and back frames, and add the (04) legs. See Figure 1.
    • Cut an arch raised 1 inch at the centerline in each (01) long bottom rail.
    • Drill pocket holes as shown in Figure 1.
    • Attach the (02) stiles to the (03) long top rails and the (01) long bottom rails using glue and pocket hole screws.
    • Using a router with a 1/2-inch rabbeting bit, route a 1/2- by 1/2-inch rabbet around the interior opening of the front and back frames. Use a chisel to square the rounded corners.
    • Using glue and pocket hole screws, attach the (04) legs to the (01) long bottom rails and the (03) long top rails; they should be flush with the top and exterior face of the frames.
  2. Build and attach the end frames. See Figure 2.
    • Build the two end frames as described in Steps 1a-d using the (05) end top rails, (06) end bottom rails, and the remaining (02) stiles.
    • Using glue and pocket hole screws, attach the end frames to the (04) legs, flush with the exterior edges.
  3. Attach the cleats and (09) floor. See Figure 3.
    • Attach the (07) long cleats, 1 1/4 inches below the top of the (01) long bottom rails using glue and 4d nails.
    • Attach the (08) short cleats in the same manner to the (06) end bottom rails.
    • Attach the (09) floor to the cleats using glue and wire brads.
  4. Build the lath assemblies.
    • Measure the opening dimension of the 1/2- by 1/2-inch rabbets on the front and end frame assemblies, and cut to fit each (10) end horizontal lath, (11) vertical lath, (12) front horizontal lath, and (13) fillers.
    • On a flat work surface, arrange the five (10) end horizontal lath pieces 1 1/2 inches apart and with the ends flush (see Figure 4).
    • Locate the centerline of each piece. Offset the line 3/4 inch, and mark a perpendicular line on each piece for the placement of the center (11) vertical lath.
    • Apply glue to the junction point of each (10) end horizontal lath piece where the center (11) vertical lath will be attached.
    • Align the center (11) vertical lath so that it overhangs the upper (10) end horizontal lath by 1/2 inch.
    • Space the (11) vertical lath pieces 1 1/2 inches apart, applying glue to the junction points as you work from the center toward each end.
    • Place a weight on the assembly, and allow the glue to cure.
    • Repeat Steps 4b-g for the front lath assembly using the (12) front horizontal lath and the remaining (11) vertical lath pieces.
    • Fill all nail holes, sand and stain all assemblies at this time, as well as the (13) fillers, (14) back panels, and the (15) hinge board.
  5. Attach the end lath assemblies. See Figure 5.
    • Place a (13) filler in each corner of the rabbet in the end frames. Attach the (13) fillers using glue and brads.
    • Insert the end lath assemblies into the end frames, and attach to the (13) fillers using glue and brads.
  6. Attach the front lath assembly. See Figure 6.
    • Place a (13) filler in each corner of the rabbet in the front frame. Attach the (13) fillers using glue and brads.
    • Insert the front lath assembly into the front frame, and attach to the (13) fillers using glue and brads.
  7. Attach the (14) back panels and the (15) hinge board. See Figure 7.
    • Attach the (14) back panels with the back faces of the plywood adjacent to each other, using glue and brads.
    • Using glue and nails, attach the (15) hinge board flush with the exterior edge; the overhang should be equal on both sides.
  8. Build the lid. See Figure 8.
    • Scribe to length and miter cut and the (17) end nosing. Attach the nosing to the (16) top panel using glue and nails.
    • Miter cut the (18) front nosing, and attach using glue and nails.
  9. Apply finishing touches.
    • Fill all remaining holes, sand, stain, and apply polyurethane.
    • Attach the lid to the hamper assembly using a piano hinge.
    • Following the manufacturer's instructions, install a lid support. See Figure 9.
Illustration

Wooden Raised Plant Bed

Cut List
Part Material Size (in inches) Quantity
long bottom rails 1 x 6 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 25 1/2 2
stiles 1 x 6 3/4 x 1 1/2 x 15 8
long top rails 1 x 6 3/4 x 2 1/4 x 25 1/2 2
legs 2 x 2 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 21 1/4 4
end top rails 1 x 6 3/4 x 2 1/4 x 18 1/2 2
end bottom rails 1 x 6 3/4 x 3 1/4 x 18 1/2 2
long cleats 1 x 6 3/4 x 3/4 x 25 1/2 2
short cleats 1 x 6 3/4 x 3/4 x 18 2
floor 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 19 3/8 x 26 3/8 1
end horizontal lath 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 16 1/2 10
vertical lath 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 16 17
front horizontal lath 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 1 1/2 x 23 1/2 5
fillers 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 1/2 x 16 6
back panels 1/4-inch plywood 1/4 x 16 x 23 1/2 2
hinge board 1 x 6 3/4 x 1 1/4 x 29 1
top panel 3/4-inch plywood 3/4 x 19 1/2 x 27 1/2 1
end nosing 1 x 6 3/4 x 3/4 x 20 1/4* 2
111111111111 1 x 6 3/4 x 3/4 x 29* 1

*Measure length from long point to long point.

Finished Dimensions

Height: 22 inches
Width: 21 1/2 inches
Length: 29 1/2 inches

Submit Comments & Photos

Please feel free to post a comment and someone from LowesCreativeIdeas.com will review your submission. You can check back after 24 hours to see if your comment has been posted.

Fields in BOLD are required to preview and submit your comment.

  • Instructions

    Your email will only be used in the event that one of our moderators needs to clarify your comment. It will be used strictly in the context of or relating to your comment.

    Your email will NOT be used for marketing purposes or shared with any 3rd parties.

  • Your Photo

    Have a photo? Attach it to your comment here.

    Make sure your photo meets the following requirements:
    Max File Size: 2 MB
    File Types: jpeg/jpg, gif

    Photos will be scaled to fit this space.

    Upload Photo
    Character count: 0
    (500 character limit)
  • If you do not see the security words image:

    • Make sure the version of your browser is current. For example, you need to have at least Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape 6.0 or higher.

    • Make sure your graphics (pictures and images) are turned on or enabled in your browser.

    • Refresh your browser and try again. You may want to copy your comment though as it will not be saved.

    Instructions

    Please enter the words you see in the box, in order and separated by a space. Doing so helps prevent automated programs from abusing this service.

    If you are not sure what the words are, either enter your best guess or refresh the browser for a new set image.

  • Terms & Conditions




Total Votes: 6
Be the first to comment

These "social bookmarking" services make it easier to share and manage your favorite online content.

StumbleUpon, digg, and del.icio.us help you gather content from around the web, describe it how you see fit, and tag it for easy sorting. These sites also allow you to see what other people are gathering and tagging (if they've made it public), and find new content that may interest you.

Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace also allow you to share content that you find interesting, with people who visit or subscribe to your personal profile.

Post to StumbleUpon! Post to digg! Post to del.icio.us! Post to Facebook! Post to MySpace!


Project Details
Skill Level: Intermediate
Tools
  • table saw (or circular saw with a straightedge guide)
  • miter saw (or handsaw with miter box)
  • router with a 1/2-inch rabbeting bit
  • power sander and various grits of sandpaper
  • pneumatic nailer (or hammer with nail set)
  • K3MS Kreg Jig K3 Master System
  • chisel
  • clamps
  • tape measure
  • pencil
Lumber*
  • 4 boards, 2 x 2 x 3
  • 2 boards, 1 x 6 x 8
  • 5 boards, 1/4 x 6 x 4
  • 2 sheets, 1/4 x 2 x 4 plywood
  • 1 sheet, 3/4 x 2 x 4 plywood
Hardware and Supplies
  • 1 box (1 1/4-inch) pocket hole screws, fine thread
  • 1 box 4d finishing nails
  • 1 box (#18 x 3/4-inch) wire brads
  • 1 (30- x 1 1/2-inch) piano hinge, brass
  • 1 lid support
  • 1 package (3/4-inch) nail-on furniture glides
  • wood glue (Titebond III)
  • stainable wood filler
  • 1 quart stain (Minwax, Red Mahogany)
  • 1 quart polyurethane (Minwax, gloss)

*Availability varies by market.

Tags:

Tags are keywords or terms that have been assigned to a piece of content.

A tag list is simply a list of all the tags used on all content and a count of their frequency.

A tag cloud is a visual representation of a tag's popularity based on how often it is used throughout the site.

Click on a category below to view other projects and articles. (What are these?)

Display as: cloud | list