Here's a quick and easy project to manage messes and spills.
Time An hour or less
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$5–10
Introduction
We all use paper towels in our everyday life, but they are not always close by when you need one (or several). Most paper towel holders are mounted under a kitchen cabinet or attached to a wall. Make this portable paper towel holder in less than an hour.
Tools Required
- Cordless drill
- Drill bit set
- Hearing and eye protection
- Jigsaw or band saw
- Measuring tape
- Orbital sander
- Table saw or Circular saw
Materials Required
- 1-1/4-in. screws
- 1-1/8-in dowel
- 2-1/2-in washer (1)
- 3-1/2-in washer (2)
- 3/4” plywood or hardwood 7-1/2-in x 15-in
- Wipe-on polyurethane
- Wood glue
Watch How to Make a Paper Towel Holder for Your Kitchen
Project step-by-step (9)
Step 1
The Base Layout
- Cut two pieces of 3/4-in. hardwood or plywood at 7-1/4-in. x 7-1/4-in.
- Find the center of the board by drawing diagonal lines from corner to corner, intersecting the lines in the middle of the board.
- Use a compass to draw a seven-inch radius circle in the center of one of the boards and a 3-1/2-in. radius circle in the center of the other board.
Step 2
Cut a Hole
- Cut a 3-1/2-in. hole in the board with the 3-1/2-in. circle on it, using a hole saw or jigsaw.
Step 3
Glue the Base
- Apply a liberal amount of wood glue on the face of the board with the hole in it.
- Glue the two boards together keeping the edges flush. Be sure not to glue over your seven-inch circle.
- Secure the boards with clamps and or 1-1/4-in. finish nails.
Step 4
Cut the Base
- After the glue is dry, cut out the seven-inch circle using a band saw or jigsaw.
Step 5
Smooth the Edges
- Sand the edges of the base using an orbital sander with 150-grit sandpaper.
- (Optional) Round over the top and bottom edges using a router with a 1/4-in. radius round-over bit.
Step 6
Dowel Hole
- Drill a 1-1/8-in. x 1/4-in. deep hole in the center of the top of your base.
- Next drill a 3/23-in. pilot hole in the center of your 1-1/8-in. hole.
Step 7
Cut the Dowel
- Cut the 1-1/8-in. dowel at 11 inches.
- Smooth over the edge on one end of the dowel with 150-grit sandpaper.
Step 8
Assembly
- Insert the dowel into the hole on the base top.
- From the underside of the base, drill a 3/32-in. pilot hole into the end of the dowel through the pilot hole in the center of the base.
- Add weight to the base by inserting three large washers into the 3-1/2-in. hole on the bottom of the base. Secure the washers in place with a 1-1/2-in. screw through a smaller washer.
Step 9
Finishing Touches
- Touch up any rough spots on the base and dowel using 220-grit sandpaper and finish the piece with easy wipe-on polyurethane.
- Stick four self-adhesive rubber feet to the bottom of the base to keep the towel holder from slipping across the counter when you tear off a towel.
