You can create your own custom-designed flatware divider.
Your main option to divide your flatware is a plastic mass-produced tray that leaves gaps between its sides and your flatware drawer and doesn't include a section for can openers and odds and ends you'd like to organize. You can take another avenue: Custom design and construct a flatware divider to fit the drawer. You end up with an ergonomic and pleasing creation that makes it much easier to empty the dishwasher or sink strainer.
Instructions
Design
1. Measure the interior dimensions of your flatware drawer. Draw a rectangle representing its length and width on a sheet of graph paper.
2. Empty the flatware from your current divider. Line up a knife, soupspoon, teaspoon and fork on the graph paper where you would like them. Allow ¾ inch between the edges of each utensil to allow for a divider. Mark a line above the knives to represent a center divider perpendicular to the flatware dividers.
3. Outline additional compartments above the center divider to hold cooking tools, serving utensils, corkscrews and the like. Set the flatware and kitchen items aside.
Cutting
4. Cut the four sides of the divider from wood stock measuring 2 ½ inches high and 3/8 inch thick to match your graph paper outline. Dry-clamp the sides to rest on top of the marked graph paper. Mark each side in pencil to note where the dividers go.
5. Cut dados 3/16 inch deep in the sides and the center divider to accept the dividers. Cut dividers from stock 2 ½ inches high and ¼ inch thick to fit in the dadoes.
6. Mark arc-shaped cutouts on the dividers that separate the flatware. This will allow your fingers better access to remove stacked cutlery. Lay a 5-gallon bucket lid on the divider and use the lid as a stencil. Cut out the arcs with a band saw or jigsaw.
Glue
7. Dry-fit the four sides with butt joints and the center divider, dropping it into its dadoes. Pull the pieces apart after testing them for fit. Spread glue thinly on the edges of the joints and the ends of the center divider. Reassemble the sides and center divider and clamp. Allow the glue to dry per the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Squeeze a thin layer of glue on the ends of the remaining dividers. Drop them into the dadoes, clamp and allow to dry.
9. Lay the glued-up flatware divider on a sheet of plywood to mark the size of the back. Cut out the back, glue to the dividers, clamp and let dry.
10. Lay the completed flatware dividers into the flatware drawer and return the flatware and kitchen equipment to the compartments.
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