Today I’m gonna show you guys how I made a suitcase with shelves. I saw this idea online somewhere and thought it was pretty cool, so I decided to give it a shot myself.
First, I got an old suitcase from my attic. It was just gathering dust up there, so I figured why not put it to good use? This thing was pretty beat up, but that’s okay, it adds character. I gave it a good cleaning, wiped off all the dust and grime. You wouldn’t believe how dirty it was!
Then, I went to the local hardware store to pick up some supplies. I needed some plywood for the shelves, some screws, hinges, and a latch to keep the whole thing closed when the shelves are folded in. I also grabbed some sandpaper and paint, since I wanted to spruce up the suitcase a bit.
Building the Shelves
Back home, I started by measuring the inside of the suitcase. I wanted to make sure the shelves would fit snugly. I marked the measurements on the plywood and then carefully cut them out using a saw. This was a bit tricky, but I managed to get it done. After that, I sanded down the edges of the plywood to make them smooth. No one wants splinters, right?
- Measure the inside of the suitcase.
- Mark the measurements on the plywood.
- Cut out the shelves.
- Sand down the edges.
Next, I attached hinges to the shelves. The idea was to have the shelves fold up when the suitcase is closed and fold down when it’s open. I screwed the hinges onto the plywood, making sure they were properly aligned. It took a few tries to get it right, I had to use some force sometimes, but hey, that’s how you get it done.
Putting It All Together
Now came the fun part – putting everything together. I positioned the shelves inside the suitcase and marked where the hinges would attach to the suitcase walls. Then, I drilled some pilot holes and screwed the hinges in place. This was a bit fiddly, but I eventually got it all lined up and working.
After that, I painted the suitcase. I chose a nice, deep blue color. I applied a couple of coats, letting each one dry completely before applying the next. Patience is key, folks.
Finally, I added a latch to the front of the suitcase to keep it securely closed when the shelves are folded up. And there you have it – a suitcase with shelves! It’s perfect for organizing my stuff when I travel, or even just for storing things around the house.
This project was a lot of fun, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. It wasn’t too difficult, and it’s a great way to repurpose an old suitcase. Plus, it’s pretty unique, you know? If you’re looking for a fun and practical DIY project, I definitely recommend giving this a try.
