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Dimensions

Dimensions: 

Dimensions: 

24" wide x 27" tall x 36" long. This is a big kennel.

Step 1

Build Side Railings

Build the side railings as shown above. Use 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 2

Sides

Finish building the sides as shown above. Use 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 3

Plywood Sides

Add the plywood to the sides as shown above. Use 7/8″ screws and wood glue.

Step 4

End

Build the end as shown above. Use 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 5

Plywood for End

Now add the plywood. Use 7/8″ or shorter screws and glue.

Step 6

Door

The door should be a piece of cake. Just mark and screw together with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 7

Door Frame

Build the door frame with 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws and glue.

Step 8

Door Hinges

Why not add the hinges while it’s easy? We did, and the hinges were much easier to install this way. I also installed the latch.

Step 9

Assembly

So you have really just built four walls. Now assemble the walls! I highly recommend finishing the walls separately first – then you can easily assemble and reassemble the crate as needed. Another idea – use corner brackets to screw the walls together from the inside. Then you can break the crate down to flat pieces for storage and travel.

I filled all the pocket holes with wood filler three times and let dry. Then sanded with 120 grit sandpaper. Still need to paint

Step 10

Top and Bottom

Screw the project panel to the top. We choose to leave the bottom off (our girls are house broken) but you could use some of the leftover 1/4″ plywood to make a bottom for the kennel. Simply line with plexiglass for a waterproof bottom.

May I Suggest a Finish?

Painting White Outdoor Adirondack Projects

Vintage Gray/Brown Stain on Pine

Minwax Water Based Stain - Gray

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When we built our home - and cabin - we had one rule: Don't move in until it's finished.  Because otherwise, the house never gets finished.  Well, Grace was crawling around on a dirty garage floor, so we moved in to the house before it was 100% done, and that was the day work stopped on the inside of our house.  And now we live in a home that is 99% done.  Because you can't just tack up trim in the middle of your life.  Well, you can, but it's not as simple as just tacking up trim.  You gotta bring tools in, move stuff out of the way . . . it's just not as simple or easy.  Life is in the way.

So we knew better.  We built another house this weekend and let the occupants move in before it was finished.

We knew better.

More Girls

Meet our puppies.  Nala has been our much loved dog for many years, and Avery is a brand new puppy.  Avery is actually Nala's grand puppy. We brought the crate inside to see if the girls would like it and if the size would fit in our living room, with the intention of hauling it back to the garage for paint and finish.

Who would have thought they would LOVE it?

Breaking More Rules

And because we broke our rule of letting them move in before their house was finished, I'm now breaking my top blogging rule: Never blog an unfinished project.  But it's either that or disturb them.  And they are loving this kennel!  What do you think?

Unfinished Shots

I wanted to show you a close up of the kennel unfinished as well because it's built from pine furring strips - just $1 a board for 1x2s and $1.50 a board for 1x3s.  By using furring strips, builder grade plywood (which will get painted) and a project panel for the top ($12) this kennel came in under $40. Not bad, considering this thing is B-I-G and solid and retails in the several hundreds.  Did I mention it's B-I-G?  Yeah, it's B-I-G  :)  .  All my girls - Grace, Nala (who weighs 90lbs) and Avery all fit in there.

Painting

The plan is to paint the pet crate black, so I'll be sure to post completed photos when that happens. 

And here is the drawing.  I'm always amazed at how accurate the drawings are to the real deal!

And one more with the door open.

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