Raising the Bar
Raised countertops not only create usable space in a kitchen, but they also add a new dimension to it. The raised countertop in this example is 18-by-40 inches with a pony wall (short wall) under it that is 12-inches tall and 36-inches long. The 18-by-40-inch top can be used as a deck to cover with laminate or tile, or it can be made using oak or ash plywood and stained or varnished.
Instructions
Pony Wall and Deck
1. Place the two 36-inch 2-by-4s on a worktable. Measure from one end and make a mark at 11 1/4 and 12 3/4 inches. Repeat this from the other end of the 36-inch lumber. Next, measure from one end of one of the 2-by-4s and make marks at 6, 18 and 30 inches and center them on the 3 ½-inch width of the 2-by-4. Drill holes on these marks with the 5/16-inch drill bit for the toggle bolts. Do this to only one of the 2-by-4s.
2. Secure the four 9-inch 2-by-4s to the 36-inch 2-by-4 without the holes drilled in it with the 2½-inch deck screws. Place 2 on the ends and 1 on the lines (11 1/4 and 12 3/4-inch) drawn in Step 1.
3. Place the 18-by-40-by-¾ inch plywood on the table. Draw a line parallel to the 40-inch edge, exactly 4 inches from the edge. Next, draw another line 7 1/2-inches from the same edge. Apply glue inside the lines and place the 2-by-4 assembly from the previous steps on this line and 2 inches from either end. Secure it to the plywood with the 2-inch deck screws. Next, place the remaining 36-inch 2-by-4 on the ends of the 9-inch pieces and secure it with the 2½-inch deck screws.
4. Next, apply glue to the ends of the 9-inch 2-by-4s. Place the remaining 36-inch 2-by-4 on the ends of the 9-inch pieces and secure it with the 2½-inch deck screws.
Installing the Raised Countertop
5. Locate the area where the desired raised counter top is to be installed. Draw a line parallel to the edge of the counter top exactly 4 inches from the edge of the counter top. Draw another parallel line 7 1/2 inches from the edge.
6. Locate the point on the countertop where the pony wall will begin. Measure from that point and make marks at 6, 18 and 30 inches. Center them between the 3½-inch width of the pony wall.
7. Drill holes on each of these marks with the 5/8-inch drill bit to accommodate the toggle bolts. Remove the winged nut from the bolts, slip them through the holes in the 2-by-4 of the pony wall and then replace the winged nuts. These holes match the ones drilled in Step 1 of the first section, "Pony Wall and Deck."
8. Insert the toggle bolts into the holes on the counter top and place the pony wall on the lines drawn in Step 1 of this section. Tighten the toggle bolts until the pony wall is secured to the counter top.
9. Secure the ¼-inch panels to the pony wall, starting with the 36-inch pieces and then the 4 inch. Use the brads or paneling nails.
Trimming
10. Measure and cut 4 pieces of outside corner mold 12 inches in length with the electric miter saw. Secure them to the 4 outside corners of the pony wall with the finish nails. Next, measure the distance between the outside corner mold and cut a piece of flat mold to fit. Secure them with the finish nails.
11. Measure and cut the 2 long pieces of decorative mold to fit the length of the new countertop. Then cut 2 pieces to fit between them on the ends of the raised countertop.
12. Set all the finish nails with the nail set. Fill the holes with wood putty and then sand the entire raised counter top in preparation of a finish.
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