If I were still in the “for real” workforce, building some cabinets would definitely be a stretch assignment. Whether it is mastered via JIT learning, trial and error, or by over-researching, one way or another, you just have to start.

I likely will need as many as 5 or 6 separate cabinets. I started the week with the goal of building a power control center (and storage) cabinet next to the bed. Then I realized I didn’t have enough plywood on hand long enough to go floor-to-ceiling. But I had enough for the short “kitchen” cabinet, which will have drawers for cooking gear, a sink with fresh and gray water storage, and a couple special features. It also is a fairly common cabinet, so there were way more tutorial videos to learn from.

So I opened the AutoCAD software and starting designing the specifications for the CNC cutting machine…well, not exactly. I sketched a few rectangles in a notebook, took a few measurements in the van and then setup a cutting station out in the driveway. I was going to grind a bunch of plywood, so I wanted the sawdust to not be in the garage.

The photo at the top of the page shows the cut pieces, basically 4 panels and a bunch of stringers. The photo here shows the panels & stringers connected together. Since this is for a van and not a home, I used 1/2” plywood on the ends and combined two sheets in the center for some stability. The strings are 3/4 inch plywood. Everything is glued and mechanically attached with pocket screws. Hopefully this will be a good combination of lightweight and strong.

The next step was to build the face framing. I haven’t attached it permanently to the carcass yet as I still am measuring and drilling attachment points to the wall and the floor. The face frame still needs additional sanding, priming and painting, too.

You can see where the next cabinet will go. It will be more of a rectangle, but will fill the 74” height of the interior. This cabinet will be much more custom, as it will need access panels, cooling vents, will have features reachable from the bed, like lights, power plugs and fans.

Plenty of next steps, including choosing a cabinet paint color and a counter top stain. Another couple trips to hardware store coming soon.