Now we have finished the decorative strips, the plywood core will be next.
It will hold the drawers and sliding cooktop, while guiding electric and/or gas lines, hidden from view, to and through the floor of the van conversion. The space between the core and the sides also allows for the hinges of the folding shelf to be recessed.
The base core consists of four ½” plywood panels, connected to each other through ¼” deep dadoes.
The rear of the cabinet has a 3” high sub base and the front has 2 cherry feet.
Only the front of the feet is made of ½” Cherry, while the remainder is made from plywood scraps. The sides are offset to accommodate the cherry plywood.
The top and bottom are rounded on my tabletop sanding machine.
The front of the feet are installed flush with the plywood core, while the outside edge is offset.
Next the sub base, which holds a ‘hidden’ compartment. Composed of three plywood sides, they are again held together with simple dadoes and rabbets.
The rectangular box has one ledge, extending towards the rear of the cabinet. The folding shelf will be attached to it with a piano hinge.
A simple opening with cover under the bottom drawer will give access to this ‘hidden’ storage area, which is also used to attach the cabinet to the floor of the van.
First the opening is routed out with a straight bit. Followed by routing the edge with a rabbet bit.
The cover is made out of another piece of plywood, sized to the larger opening. When the corners are rounded and the piece snuggly fits the opening, it is routed with the same rabbet bit.
