Clamp scrap boards to the tileboard to distribute pressure

and establish good contact.

G. BUILD THE COUNTERTOP
1. Cut the particleboard substrate, tile board top,
long edges, and short edges to size. Make sure the
top fits perfectly over the substrate, and trim if
necessary.
2. Miter-cut the ends of the long edges and short
edges at 45 angles to fit around the countertop.
3. Apply contact cement to the substrate, and clamp
the tileboard top in place, using scrap wood under
the clamps to distribute pressure and ensure even
contact with the cement.
4. Unclamp and flip the assembly on its top when
dry. Arrange the long and short edges around the
countertop so the top surface will be flush with the
tops of the edge pieces. Glue and clamp the edges
in place. Drill pilot holes and drive 4d finish nails
through the edges into the substrate.
H. ATTACH THE COUNTERTOP & SHELVES
1. Cut the shelves from pine panels and the supports
from 2 X 8 dimensional pine. Round the cut corners
at the long ends of each diagonal, using a jigsaw or
a sander to soften the profile of the supports.
2. Mark a line on the top edge of the back, II" in
from each end. Position the supports so they are
centered on the lines. Drill pilot holes through the
back and attach the supports with glue and 11/2"
countersunk screws driven from the inside of the
cabinet.
136 BUILD YOUR OWN CUSTOM CLOSET
,
Attach the supports to the back from inside the cabinet
using glue and screws.
3. Center the countertop from side to side on the
cabinet with a I" overhang on the front. Attach
with glue and 1
1
/ 2" screws driven up through the
top horizontal cleats. Insert supports into the
shelf standards at the desired height , and install
the shelves inside the cabinet with the grain
running left to right.
4. Recess all visible nail heads with a nail set, and fill
the holes with putty. Sand all surfaces, outer edges,
and corners smooth.
5. Finish the island with a light stain and apply a
nontoxic topcoat. We used a traditional American
pine finish.
Tip
The back, end, divider, bottom, and shelf pieces used
in this project are constructed from 5jg" edge-glued
ponderosa pine panels, available at most building
centers. This material, available in varying dimensions
and thicknesses, is manufactured from small-width
pine glued together under pressure. The result is a
strong material that is slightly thinner than standard
dimensional plywood. It features a distinctive paneled
appearance, and since it is made entirely of one type
of wood, exposed edges do not require veneer.