fun-to-customize memo board and organizer
  • Difficulty
    Hard

Keep everyone on the same page this year with a fun-to-customize memo board and organizer!

You need
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Step 1

Follow the marked lines with the Dremel Saw-Max tool

To begin this project, we started by creating our backboard. Using your Dremel Saw-Max tool equipped with the SM500 wood and plastic blade, this step is a breeze. If you are building your organizer to our specs, measure and mark three rectangular areas at 20" wide by 24" high in your 1/2" sanded plywood material. Clamp your material and follow along your marked lines with your Dremel Saw-Max tool.

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Step 2

Using your Saw-Max tool with the SM500 blade, cut along your marked cuts

Next we cut our backboard borders and dividers out of 1/2" thick MDF board. For variation we made our outer borders 1" wide and our horizontal dividers 1/2" wide. Per the cut list, measure and mark the following cuts: • Vertical borders: Six 1" wide strips at 24" • Horizontal boarders: Six 1" wide strips at 18" • Horizontal dividers: Four 1/2" wide strips at 18" Using your Saw-Max tool still equipped with the SM500 blade, cut along your marked cuts, following the line of cut through the front end of the tool. Once cut, use wood glue to first secure your vertical boarders, horizontal boarders then horizontal dividers in that order to ensure a proper fit. Tip: If you plan on adding pockets as we did to our board, make sure you leave 7" of vertical space between the horizontal dividers.

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Step 3

Measure and mark the cuts along the material.

Next, we created our slim pockets we used as filing bins on the side two backboards. Making angled cuts is made easier with the Dremel Miter Guide. To create these, measure and mark your cuts along your 1/2" thick MDF material. You can mark the cuts yourself or trace the template provided in the cut list. First, use your Dremel Saw-Max with the same SM500 wheel used in the last step to make one straight cut at 7" wide by 48" long. Once you have cut that strip, mark off your angled cuts. To do this, measure 3 1/3" from the top edge in, and 1 1/2" in from the bottom and connect the marks with a pencil line. The angle should be approx 17.5 degrees which your miter guide can help you follow in the next step. Flip the pattern and repeat these marks to make a total of 8 side pieces for a total of 4 holders. You may find it easiest to use our template to trace along the 7" wide strip.

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Step 4

Mount a cutting wheel in your Saw-Max tool and guide the blade along the material

Next, clamp your miter guide along your marked cuts. Mount an SM600 Wood & Plastic Flush-cutting wheel in your Saw-Max tool and guide the blade along the angled edge of the guide.

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Step 5

Use the Saw-Max tool and cut along the marked cut lines

Next, measure and mark your cuts for your pocket bottoms, sectioning off 4 pieces of 1/2" MDF at 1" tall by 18" long. Replace the SM600 wheel with the SM500 wheel in your Saw-Max tool and cut along your marked cut lines.

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Step 6

Glue the bottoms securely between the smaller angled sides of each pocket

Next, measure and mark your cuts for your pocket fronts constructed of the same 1/2" MDF material. Mark and cut four 18" x 17" pocket fronts with your Saw-Max tool still equipped with the SM500 tool. Using wood glue, secure the angled edge of the pocket sides along the ends of each pocket front, being sure to align the wider edges to sit flush at the top of each pocket front. Allow to dry completely, then glue the pocket bottoms securely between the smaller angled sides of each pocket. Hammer in place with nail brads for extra hold. Paint if desired at this step.

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Step 7

Paint the boarders as desired

Before finally installing the pockets to the back boards, add any further embellishments to the boards you think will keep you most organized. For some ideas we: • Painted our borders • Painted our center board with dry erase paint. • Cut an 18" x 9" piece of cork material using the Saw-Max and SM500 wheel. • Used scrap MDF to create a small ledge.

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Step 8

Using a drill and thin wood screws, set the pockets into place

Finally, secure the pockets onto the desired locations. To avoid splitting the material while drilling, pre-drill 2-3 holes along the edge of each section where you plan to secure your pockets. Using a drill and thin wood screws, set the pockets into place. Secure your boards to your desired wall. We recommend sinking the boards directly into your wall if you believe it will be holding a lot of stuff! If you think it will be a lighter-duty board you may want to secure a picture hanger to the back of each board to mount to the wall instead.


Warning

To reduce the risk of injury user must read instruction manuals for all tools used in this project. Wear eye and respiratory protection. Use clamps to support work piece whenever practical.