Workshop · WS-057
Lift-out slatted soap dish
Keep a bar of household soap above a separate washable draining tray.
Editorial construction draft. Original digital diagrams; no physical build or load certification. Read dimensions, fit and use limits before making changes. US customary dimensions control; metric values are references.
Before marking and cutting
- US inches; feet where appropriate. Metric values are rounded references. Written inch values control.
- 3/4 in means measured 0.750 in actual thickness wherever used. Recalculate mating lengths for other sheet thicknesses; do not substitute nominal stock blindly.
Use limits
- No antimicrobial, sanitation or mold-resistance guarantee.
Materials and cuts
| Part | Qty | Size to cut | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| A End runners | 2 | 4 × 1 × 1/2 in 101.6 × 25.4 × 12.7 mm | Clear untreated white oak heartwood, smooth and straight-grained. Measured actual thickness 1/2 in. |
| B Slats | 6 | 5 × 1/2 × 3/8 in 127 × 12.7 × 9.52 mm | Clear untreated white oak heartwood, smooth and straight-grained. Measured actual thickness 3/8 in. |
Hardware and consumables
- 1 × Suitable waterproof wood adhesive. Use only if labeled suitable for the materials and wet service.
- 1 × Purchased draining tray. Minimum 6 × 5 in internal fit.
Tools
- Rule with fractional inches
- Pencil or appropriate material marker
- Reliable square
- Saw suited to the specified stock
- Clamps
- Abrasive and dust-removal brush
Assembly
- Choose a washable purchased tray at least 6 × 5 in inside. The wooden insert raises soap but does not replace cleaning the tray.
- Cut two A runners 4 × 1 × 1/2 in and six B slats 5 × 1/2 × 3/8 in from a suitable rot-resistant smooth wood.
- Set A across Y, with footprints X = 0–1 and 4–5 in, Y = 0–4 in.
- Lay B across X, length 5 in, at Y = 0,7/10,14/10,21/10,28/10,35/10 in. These measured decimal positions yield 1/5 in gaps and a 4 in total width.
- Convert those layout values with a decimal rule or use a 7/10 in spacer; do not silently replace with uneven rounded fractions.
- Dry-fit and clamp each B. Attach with suitable waterproof wood adhesive at its two end bearing areas, with no metal fastener in the soap-contact surface.
- Cure for the full adhesive label time outside wet service, then ease slat edges and remove every hardened glue bead.
- Place the insert in the separate tray and check it lifts out easily; do not wedge it against ceramic edges.
- Set one cool soap bar across at least three slats. Drain water from the tray after use rather than allowing continuous soaking.
- Remove insert and wash/dry both components independently. Replace any slimy, split or loose slat.
Checks
- Six 1/2 in slats across 4 in width, five 1/5 in gaps.
- Overall insert 5 × 4 in; total height 7/8 in.
- Insert removes freely and rests without rocking.
Cleaning and maintenance
- Drain and dry regularly.
- Inspect glue lines after first wet cycle.
Primary context
These sources inform the context and do not endorse the original construction design.