Securing the OEM Sharp microwave

[Deb Mac]

My TM came with the original Sharp "Warm and Toasty" R-55TS microwave, but it was missing one foot. After 2 trips trying to keep it propped in place, and keep it in the cupboard while traveling (good luck), I tried replacing the missing foot. Unfortunately the screw holes in metal base of the MW where the feet screwed into were hopelessly stripped and bent after too many years of not being properly supported. Got away with epoxying the replacement feet (in the front) into place, but that was only a temporary solution.

So today, instead of the feet (all of which I removed), I cut 2 lengths of 3/4" wood and used alien tape to stick them under the microwave where the feet used to screw in (one on right, one on left, front to back). That allowed the microwave to slide right into the existing opening SO much better than when it was just feet. Then I screwed through the floor of the shelf into the wood "feet" to hold it in place. Took my multi-tool and cut the wood strips flush with the front of the cabinet.

Used a couple of small pieces to brace the front edge of the shelf. Had to move the lower cabinet door latch to allow for those little braces. Sitting solid, level, not moving at all!! The whole job used spare pieces of wood that I already had lying around!

I'll give this arrangement a try on the next trip, but it certainly seems quite solid. If I ever need to remove it, it's just a matter of undoing those 2 screws underneath and it will slide right out again.

I rarely use the thing, but it has been handy to have now and then, and I definitely didn't want to toss a perfectly functional microwave (well, as functional as this unit was in the first place) and replace it with something else that I would still have to figure out how to secure.

Not as earth-shattering as most mods, but it solved the problem that existed with the original set-up, even if it HAD all 4 feet.