How should I attach a top to this?

[Wuffles]

It's nothing fancy, just a recycled cupboard for my garage, but it doesn't have a lid currently. So I made one from some old floorboards dominoed together using some techniques I have learned on here.

Attached is a photo of the cabinet without the top on, I've been walking by this thing daily thinking "I really should affix that top" but haven't come up with a decent method.

I could pocket hole it from underneath, but the sides are quite thin, and someone is guaranteed to try and lift it using the top. So I thought perhaps I could build something to glue onto the underside of the new top and screw through that into the sides from the inside, but you'll note there's not a lot of clearance at the side of the drawers for that.

Beginning to think perhaps cutting a bit out of the top of the drawer to allow for something a little more solid to be stuck to the sides might be the best idea, but before I start butchering, I'm sure you have lots of ideas, care to share?

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[Stone Message]

It looks as though you have some room at the back of the drawer to attached a piece of wood to the inside of the back. You could then screw through that into your top. If you look at the front right hand upright there is an indent. That may have taken a brass or iron plate, screwed to the top of the upright, and then through which you can screw into the top.

Alternatively your could fix some wood to the outside of the sides and back and screw through this into the top. Your top may want to move around a bit with moisture changes and so you ought to elongate the holes in the various pieces.

Almost everyone will tackle this in a slightly different way so stand by for quite a few replies.

Peter

 

[Wuffles]

Thanks Peter, only problem with that is that the top I made isn't large enough for that, the overhang is only about 10mm on either side, but you're right, it may be the only way.

Looking forward to any and all suggestions as a free lesson.

 

[bkharman]

I see you have a domino... I would put some 5mm dominos in strategic places and maybe glue them in the top and then do some small screws or dowels through the carcas to hold it down.

I would say it depends on what its purpose would be later on.  You could simply just screw through the top with countersunk holes if it is going to be utility.  If you want a bit more style as it may be in the family room, the domino method would work well me thinks.

Cheers

Bryan

 

[Wuffles]

Actually glad you suggested that because I was thinking it on one of the occasions I wandered past it idly but dismissed it as I was trying to figure out how to line everything up.

But if I clamped something in place to give myself a reference it might be an idea. But as Peter noticed, I was worried by whatever it is that looks a little metallic on one of the uprights. I'll dig it out with an old chisel and take it from there.