One of our first attempts at making furniture
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382542)
Rockingham, Australia
June 7, 2020 8:30pm CST
The photo shows two shots of a cabinet we built when we renovated the bathroom in a previous house. We weren’t very experienced then and made one big mistake which was good in a way as it meant we’ve never made the same mistake since.
We got the framework made and the sides put on. It was then time to put the top on. We measured very carefully, measured twice, as the books tell you to do then pencilled the outline on the back of the sheet that was to form the top. However, when we turned the top right-side up, we had a mirror image of the L-shape we needed. So we had to cut a new top from a new piece of material.
The door at the angle of the cupboard is fitted with a piano hinge and the whole door opens right back so you have easy access to the shelves. We did something similar when we made cupboards for the bar in this house.
27 people like this
27 responses
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
8 Jun 20
You are right with measuring it not once or just twice in order to be sure. For beginners the mistake is a neat lesson.
2 people like this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
8 Jun 20
@JudyEv if the materials are expensive, that would be a costly mistake.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jun 20
@Alexandoy It could have been worse but it was a good lesson and made sure we continued to be as careful as possible.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174707)
• United States
8 Jun 20
I like that. I especially like all the room you have there!
I made the same mistake when I was learning how to build stuff. After the first time I think about what I want before I cut, just to make sure I'm not gonna make that mistake again, too.
I made the same mistake when I was learning how to build stuff. After the first time I think about what I want before I cut, just to make sure I'm not gonna make that mistake again, too.2 people like this
@jayanth_77 (7179)
• India
8 Jun 20
Well designed cabinet for the bathroom. The colour combination is really good.
2 people like this
@kareng (80243)
• United States
16 Jun 20
@JudyEv Yep, we made a dumb one yesterday. I asked hub to put another door on the chicken grow out cage because the door on the other end is at the top. I'm short and I have to step on a cement block to touch the bottom of the cage. I assumed he had checked it out and knew what he was doing. We finished and I looked at it and I said. This is the wrong end The top was covered with a tarp so I pulled it off and walla...door on end with new door. It was actually quite funny. We were both to blame. So we started on another door for the other end. We will put that one on tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Jun 20
@kareng Haha - stuff like this happens so easily. We were putting together an Ikea wardrobe and I yelled at him to stop. We were tacking on the back panel but had it so the face with the white finish was going to be against the wall. 
1 person likes this
@Carmelanirel2 (8085)
• United States
8 Jun 20
You may have made a mistake, but at least you made something. My husband refuses to make anything that has a mistake, which is why he won't build me anything for storage. 
1 person likes this
@Carmelanirel2 (8085)
• United States
8 Jun 20
@JudyEv But he doesn't buy anything either. I have some things, like kitchenware, in cardboard boxes.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jun 20
@Carmelanirel2 I made a bookshelf once just from a couple of planks with bricks in between. It worked well.
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@moffittjc (128854)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Jun 20
You and Vince did a nice job on your first attempt at cabinetry! I'm sure the two of you are pros at it now!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128854)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jun 20
@JudyEv You and Vince should create a website and hand-build furniture and sell it on your website!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jun 20
@moffittjc Thank you but I think we'll pass!
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@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
9 Jun 20
that is awesome - mine would be at best katywompus. or worse.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jun 20
@DocAndersen Oh, katywompus cupboards would be very worrying!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
9 Jun 20
@JudyEv it means jutting out at odd angles!
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@LowRiderX (22901)
• Serbia
8 Jun 20
'Man learns from mistakes' and 'Every school is paid' I have experience in that
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jun 20
@LowRiderX It does help to know that others make mistakes too.
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@LowRiderX (22901)
• Serbia
9 Jun 20
@JudyEv Like every one else, if it is for consolation
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
9 Jun 20
It looks like you really knew what you were doing! The piano hinges made a difference, didn't they.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jun 20
They stop the door 'dropping' so yes, they do make a difference. Thanks
