Garage Vanity Project Complete

[Chris Tsutsui]

The wife wanted a counter top next to the washer and dryer where she could hand wash stuff and maybe sort clothes. It took longer than expected because I had to run the plumbing and do some drywall first...

Anyways, all that work and now i've got a faucet in the garage plus a durable THICK stainless steel work surface, sink, and storage.

The commercial looking stainless steel counter top was normally $250, but I got it on clearance locally for $50. Then I used Pine for the doors which are all inset/flush, beech for the face frame, and the rest is baltic birch plywood.

1/2" plywood for the drawers. I used a 1/2" straight bit to make dados for the drawer base, and the edges are assembled with a box joint. 100lbs 20" KV slides for the drawers.

I discovered Pine doesn't stain the same as beech so I ultimately painted the panels. :(

The one thing I would change about this, is I want to get a stainless "better quality" pull out faucet because this $60 white Aquasource one from Lowes feels really cheap...

I used this small plastic bushing with screw to act as a door stop for the flush mount door. To attach the drawer fronts, I shimmed it with even space around after putting a box of 10,000 screws into the drawer to act as weight. Then I screwed the front on from the inside of the drawers.

The panels were all built slightly oversized, then I trimmed it to a fit to allow about 1/16 to 3/32 gap all around.

For a finish I used Minwax Fruitwood and Varathane waterbased clear coat.

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BTW, I'm going to be removing that sideways cabinet above the countertop, and install new cabintry above the washer and dryer and garage sink eventually because there's a lot of wasted space across this wall of the garage and the sideways oriented cabinet just doesn't cut it.

[John Keeton]

Excellent project, Chris. Extra points for the clean plumbing install!! I like the two-tone look, even if it was an afterthought. But, as you have noted, now everything else is going to need improved to the new standard - you raised the bar considerably for your garage.

[Doug Carpenter]

Nice job. I really like the stainless top.....and the laundry machine!

By the way.....I'm glad to see someone else's shop crowded bt the lawnmower. Sorry for your luck. If I had nickel for everytime I've had to move the mower or the kis bikes:mad: Somtimes they park'em right where I'm working.

[frank shic]

chris, nice job! a few questions for you: what's the purpose of the recessed shelf on the right side? how long did it take you to fit those inset drawer fronts and door? i learned recently that it can take quite a few tries to prevent rubbing while not leaving a massive gap all around. how do you like that bosch table saw? btw, it's great to see another young asian face on the forum lol.

[Chris Tsutsui]

Yes the lawn mower is crowding my garage, but as an avid DIYer I try not to hire out anybody, even if it's paying a gardner $20 a month... :)

The washer and dryer far exceeded my expectations. They are the Kenmore Elite He5T steam. The spin cycle on the washer removes a large amount of water from the loads. They both operate quietly, and the "whitest whites" mode takes 1.5 hours but i've never seen whites turn out so glowing white before.

Frank, the recessed shelf helped to space apart the sides of the drawers. If those boxes arn't constructed pefectly square, then the drawers might cause binding. It also adds strength (and was a scrap piece of wood) that won't be seen after the drawers are installed. That gap between that shelf and the face frame allows me to remove the top drawer and get my hand inside the bottom drawer so I can screw on the door panel after I've made it flush with the frame.

I got lucky and it took me one try to get the face frame the right size to fit without binding and I outlined the technique that works which is to add weight to the drawer, shim the panel square and then attach it. Somebody else has posted the method in another forum and I just went with his idea.

The Bosch table saw is really great. People complain about the small table, but I just use a ridgid flip top stand to help support the outfeed pieces and it works fine.

Yes, I consider myself a young minority on this forum but It's great learning so much and being inspired hanging out here.

[frank shic]

gotcha, chris - i'm all too familiar with the phenomenon of drawer binding! hope we see more projects from you in the near future, buddy.

[Todd Young]

Hey Chris, that cab's a beauty. Nice work.

I know this is a woodworking forum, but I have to add to your Kenmore HE5T comment. That's no joke about the water consumption. We did the upgrade to those from 25 year old Maytag top loaders about 2 years ago. Their specs say even a full load will reduce water used per load from approx 40 gallons per load on top loaders to a max of 14 gallons for front loaders.

Our water bill dropped by about $30-35 a month. At that kind of savings, an upgrade is hard to pass up. Add in the $150 rebate from the water co upon installation and they've almost paid for the cost of the washer alone.

Anyways, sorry to get into an appliance talk on a ww forum.

T

[Adan Madrid]

Nice Job Chris! Your wife must really be happy. I wise man once told me, "happy wife, happy life". Enjoy the upgrade.

[John Thompson]

Very nice cabinet Chris...