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Storage OptionsBy adding a toekick base, a countertop, and wall mounting cleats you can put the storagebox system to work in a uariety of ways. And the crisp, clean lines look good in any setting.l. vow I'11 be the first to admit| \ | that the melamine storageI \ bo*.t (pages 42-45) areeasy to build. But that's also the beauryof them.You dont have to investmuch time or money to get a bigreturn.And these boxes become evenmore versalile with a few enhancementsand in different configurations.ADD A BAIiE AND GOUI{IERTOPAdding a simple base (see the laurl-,.dry center on the opposite Page)creates a toekick sPace along thefront so you wont stub your toes. Italso lifts the boxes up to workcounter heieht. Construction issimple - two side pieces arescrewed between a front and back(oesE/couNrEn coNSTRUC-TIoN vIEw).The 3"-high base isbuilt to be flush with the boxsides. Metal L-brackets holdthe base to the boxes.Melamine's easy-tocleansurface also makes ita natural for countermaterial. A3"-widepiece of melamine createsa backsplash andhelps stiffen the counteragainst sagging as well.To provide additionalsupport and help keePthe counter positionedatop the boxes, add 1"-widecleats under thecounter along the frontand sides. The countersare 18" deep with a 1'la"lip along the front edge.To size the tops for length,measure the combined width of thesupporting boxes, plus any kneeholeopenings, and add 3" for overhang.clfArs Altow wAlJ- MouNnilGYou can't always stack the boxes toget shelf space where you need it.Screwing a cleat beneath the boxes'upper surface lets you mount themto a wall (wALL CLEAT DETAIL).Drivinga few screws through thetop or side firmly attaches the cleatto the box.'When you hang the boxeson the wall, you want to be sure tohit at least one wall stud. Connectorbolts hold the boxes together inall the configurations shown here(sPEcrAL HARDIx/ARE). U46woRKBENCH D JANUARY IFEBRUARY 2000