How do I Build an Island Pedestal?

Island pedestals are free-standing cabinets found in larger kitchens. The pedestal is not as wide as a standard base cabinet to allow for placing bar-type stools under a wide counter top lip extending around the perimeter. If you have room for an island pedestal, it can add elegance and give you more counter top space and food preparation space. You can even use an island pedestal to separate the kitchen from the dining area.

Instructions

1

Set your table saw to 45 degrees and miter both edges of each piece of plywood, with the grain. Run a bead of glue along each mitered edge. Stand the four pieces up and place four strap clamps around the box. Tighten securely. Let the glue dry for one hour. You should have a rectangular box, 22 inches wide, 48 inches long and 35 1/4 inches tall.

2

Miter the ends off of the four pieces of poplar, but don't lose any of the length. Using the cordless drill, predrill along the length of all four pieces with the 3/16 inch drill bit. Put the screwdriver tip in the cordless drill and screw all four pieces along the top edge of the box flush with the top, in their respective locations, with the 1 1/4 inch screws. The pieces will only fit where they are supposed to fit. Predrill more holes straight down vertically through the poplar with the drill bit. This is the cleat that you will use to attach the top.

3

Lay the fir plywood down on top of the pedestal and center it. Crouch down on your knees underneath the top. Using the cordless drill with the Phillips tip and 1 1/4-inch screws, screw the top to the pedestal through the holes in the screw cleat that you just drilled.

4

Miter the ends off of the pine pieces but don't lose any length. Run a bead of glue along the outside edge of the top. Nail the pine pieces to the edge, flush with the top all the way around, bringing the mitered corners together. This is your fascia.

5

Position the island pedestal where you want it in the room. Drill holes, spacing them evenly at a 30-degree angle down through the edge of the pedestal, 1 inch up from where it touches the floor. Using 3-inch screws, screw the pedestal to the floor. The pedestal is now ready for Formica or tile.