How to Build a Sports Locker

If you’re more than a spectator, chances are that you have sports equipment that fills up the closet in your bedroom or maybe a few drawers of the bedroom dresser. Building a sports locker will centralize all your sports equipment and help organize your active lifestyle. Sports lockers can suit your needs and also add decor to the room where you would like to store your sports equipment.Building your own sports locker will require some effort. Do some research on the different styles that are available on the market so your design will be solid and beautiful.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two 23-by-72-by-¾ inch plywood
• Two 2 ¾-by-23-by-¾ inch plywood
• Three 22 ½-by-23-by-¾ inch plywood
• One 24-by-68-½-by-¼ inch plywood
• Two 1-by-2-by-72-inch solid lumber
• Two 1-by-2-by-21-inch solid lumber
• One 1-by-4-by-21-inch solid lumber
• Three 36-inch bar clamps
• 1 ¼-inch drywall screws
• Variable speed drill
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• 3/8-inch drill bit
• Brads or tacks
• 4d finish nails
• Hammer
• Nail set
• Wood putty
• Wood glue
• Framing square
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• 100-grit sandpaper

The Cabinet

1. Lay the two pieces that measure 23-by-72-by-¾ inches flat on the floor. These are the ends of the sports locker. Measure 2 ¾ inches from one end of the plywood and make a mark. Do this on the same ends of both pieces. Place the framing square on the mark and draw a line from one edge of the plywood to the other. Measure up from that line ¾ inch and draw another line. This is for the bottom shelf. Drill four pilot holes along the center between the two lines that you drew.

2. Measure 19 ½ inches down from the other end of each of the 23-by-72-by-¾ inch sports locker ends and make a mark. Place the framing square on these marks and draw a line across the ends. Measure up from that line ¾ inch and draw another line. This is for the top shelf.

3. Drill four pilot holes along the center between the two lines that you drew in Step 2. Measure ¾ inch down from the top of the sports locker ends and make a mark. Place the framing square on this mark and draw a line across the end. Drill four pilot holes in the center between that line and the top edges of the sports locker ends.

4. Drill a countersink hole in each of the pilot holes. Be certain not to go deeper than 3/8 inch.

5. Apply several beads of wood glue between the line and the bottom of the sports locker ends. Place the two pieces that measure 2 ¾-by-23-by-¾ inches on these lines so they will be even with the bottom edge of the sports locker ends. Secure them with the 1 ¼-inch drywall screws. These are the cleats of the sports locker.

6. Stand the ends on the long edge so that the cleats are facing each other. Place one of the pieces that measures 22½-by-23-by-¾ inches so that it will be against the cleats and the end pieces as well. This is the bottom shelf. Secure this with the 1 ¼-inch drywall screws. Repeat this for the other two 22 ½-by-23-by-¾ inch pieces. They are the top shelf and the top of the sports locker.

7. Apply a bead of glue along the perimeter edges of the sports locker. Place the 24-by-68 ½-by-¼ inch plywood on the sports locker. This is the back. Secure it to the sports locker with brads or tacks. Measure 18¾ inches down from the top and draw a line across the back. Tack the back to the top shelf by driving the nails below this line.

The Face Frame

8. Turn the sports locker over. Place the 1-by-2-by-72 inch solid lumber pieces along the sides. Apply a bead of glue on the ends of one of the 1-by-2-by-21 inch solid lumber. Place it between the 72-inch pieces at the top of the sports locker and clamp it to the 72-inch piece with a bar clamp. Repeat this for the other 1-by-2-by-21 inch solid lumber so that it will cover the front edge of the top shelf.

9. Apply a bead of glue on the ends of the 1-by-4-by-21 inch solid lumber. Place it between the two 72-inch pieces at the bottom of the sports locker and clamp it with a bar clamp. Let the glue set overnight. This is called the face frame of the sports locker.

10. Remove the clamps after the glue is cured. Drill pilot holes every 6 inches along the perimeter edges of the face frame so that nails can be driven through it and into the sides of the sports locker.

11. Remove the face frame from the sports locker and apply a bead of glue around the perimeter edges. Place the face frame on the front of the sports locker and secure it with the 4d finish nails. Set the nails with the nails set and fill the holes with wood putty.

12. Sand the cabinet in preparation for the desired finish. If applying stain, be certain to let it dry before applying a sealer or clear coat.

Tips & Warnings

• Sand the sports locker between coats of sealer or clear coat with 00 steel wool.
• Clip the end off one of the 4d finish nails to use as a drill bit to drill the pilot holes in the face frame.
• Clean up excess wood glue with a damp cloth.
• Center the bar clamps on the 1-by-2 inch material to get the best result.
• Do not overtighten the bar clamps since this can cause the face frame to warp.

Resources

• Sports locker plan from Skil