Potato Bin Plans

This step by step diy woodworking project is about potato bin plans. The project features instructions for building a storage unit with multiple tomato bins. You can use the bins to store vegetables and fruits. You can make the bins wider, if you want to store more vegetables. Work with attention and make adjustments to the design and overall dimensions if you want to get the job done in a professional manner.

When buying the lumber, you should select the planks with great care, making sure they are straight and without any visible flaws (cracks, knots, twists, decay). Investing in cedar or other weather resistant lumber is a good idea, as it will pay off on the long run. Use a spirit level to plumb and align the components, before inserting the galvanized screws, otherwise the project won’t have a symmetrical look. If you have all the materials and tools required for the project, you could get the job done in about a day. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Projects made from these plans

Potato bin diy project

DIY Potato Bin

DIY Potato Bin

  

Potato Bin Plans

Building a tomato bin

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 11 1/2″x38″ long PARTITIONS
• B – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 38″ long, 4 pieces – 13 1/2″ long TRIMS
• C – 1 piece of 1/4″ plywood – 16 1/2″x38″ long BACK
• D – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 13 1/4″x18″ long TOP
• E – 6 pieces of 1×1 lumber – 11 1/2″ long CLEATS
• F – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 11 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 10 1/4″ long, 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 10 1/4″x12″ long, 1 piece – 6″13 1/4″ long, 1 piece of 1/4″ plywood – 9″x10 3/4″ long 2xBIN
• G – 2 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 7 1/2″ long, 2 pieces – 10 1/4″ long, 1 piece of 1/4″ plywood – 5″x10 3/4″ long DOOR
• G – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 11 1/2″x15 1/4″ long SHELF

• 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
• 4 pieces of 1×2 lumber – 8 ft
• 1 1/4″ screws
• 1 5/8″ screws
• 2 1/2″ screws
• filler, stain
• glue

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

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How to build a potato bin

Building the sides of the bin frame

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the sides for the potato bin unit. Cut the components from 3/4″ plywood sheets and smooth the edges with attention.

Attaching the cleats

Next, you should attach 1×1 cleats to the interior faces of the side components. Use glue and 1 1/4″ brad nails to secure the cleats to the side panels. Make sure you take accurate measurements before securing the cleats to the panels, to get a professional result.

Attaching the back to the bin frame

Continue the project by attaching the 1/4″ plywood panel to the back of the unit. Align the edges with attention, making sure they are flush. Use 1 1/4″ finishing nails to secure the plywood panel to the sides of the box, after checking if the corners are square.

Fitting the front trims

Next, attach the 1×2 trims to the front of the unit. Cut the components at the right dimensions and drill pocket holes at both ends of the horizontal pieces. Use 1 1/4″ screws to lock the components together, after making sure the corners are square. Align the edges with attention.

Fitting the top to the bin

Cut the top of the storage bin unit from 3.4″ plywood at the dimensions shown in the diagram. Center the piece to the top of the box and lock it into place with 1 1/4″ brad nails and glue. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.

Building the sides of the bin

Continue the project by assembling the potato bins. First of all you need to build the sides for the bins. Mark the cut lines on the plywood sheets and get the job done with a circular saw. Make the curved cuts with a jigsaw. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.

Building the front frame for the bins

Then, build the frame for the front face of the bins. Use 1×2 lumber for the components. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the horizontal pieces and secure them to the vertical supports using 1 1/4″ screws. Add glue to the joints and make sure the corners are right-angled. Afterwards, use a router to make 1/4″ rabbets to the interior of the frame.

Fitting the back of the bins

Attach the frame to the sides of the bin, using glue and 1 1/4″ finishing nails. In addition, attach a piece of 3/4″ plywood to the back of the bins. Use brad nails and glue to lock it to the sides.

Attaching the bottom

Cut the bottom for the bins from 3/4″ plywood. Drill pocket holes along the four edges and fit it to the frame of the bins. Use 1 1/4″ screws to secure the bottom to the frame of the bins. Leave no gaps between the components.

Fitting the panels to the bins

Fit a 1/4″ panel to the front face of the bins, as shown in the diagram. Use glue and finishing nails to get the job done as a professional.

Fitting the potato bins

Fit the bins to the opening of the the storage unit, making sure you center them. Use two hinges to lock the bins to the trims, as shown in the diagram.

Fitting the shelf

Fit a piece of 3/4″ plywood to the top cleats. This storage shelf will be ideal for keeping bread or jars.

Building the frame of the top door

One of the last steps of the project is to build a door for the top of the storage unit. Use 1×2 lumber to build the frame of the door. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the horizontal components and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the vertical components. Align the edges with attention and insert 1 1/4″ screws to lock the components together tightly. Make 1/4″ rabbets to the frame, as shown in the diagram.

Attaching the top door panel

Fit the 1/4″ plywood panel to the frame of the door. Leave no gaps between the components and add glue to lock it into place.

Fitting the top door

Fit the door to the opening and use hinges to secure it into place. Install a latch to the top of the door to lock it into place. This storage space can be used for keeping jars, other small items or even bread.

Building a potato bin

As you can notice in the image, the potato bin unit has a neat design so it can match the style of any room.

Potato bin plans

Fill the holes and dents with wood putty and let it dry out for several hours. Use 120-200 grit sandpaper to smooth the surface. You can use several bins to create more storage space and to use the room efficiently.

Top Tip: If you want to enhance the look of the project and to protect the potato bins, we recommend you to cover the components with paint or stain.

This woodworking project was about potato bin plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects. LIKE us on Facebook and Google + to be the first that gets out latest projects and to hep us keep adding free woodworking plans for you.

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