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A three-drawer chest built with a frame-and-panel side technique borrowed from cabinetmaking — 2x4 legs and rails surrounding 2x4 insert panels, instead of a plain plywood side.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 29 1/2" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Side top/bottom rails | 4 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 14" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Side frame inserts Swap for a single plywood panel per side for a solid-panel look. | 8 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 22 1/2" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Back rails | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 19 1/2" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Front rails | 2 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 19 1/2" | 2x4, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Top boards | 4 | 1 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 22 1/2" | 2x6, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Back panel | 1 | 1/4" × 12" × 17 1/2" | 1/4" plywood, half sheet | ☐ |
| Large drawer sides | 4 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 15 1/2" | 1x6, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Large drawer front/back | 4 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 16" | 1x6, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Large drawer face boards | 2 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 17 3/4" | 1x8, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Small drawer sides | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 15 1/2" | 1x6, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Small drawer front/back | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 16" | 1x6, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Small drawer face board | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 17 3/4" | 1x6, 8 ft | ☐ |
| Drawer bottoms | 3 | 1/4" × 15 1/2" × 16" | 1/4" plywood, half sheet | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 2x4, 8 ft | 10 each | ☐ |
| 1x6, 8 ft | 3 each | ☐ |
| 1x8, 8 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| 2x6, 8 ft | 2 each | ☐ |
| 1/4" plywood, half sheet | 1 each | ☐ |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4" | 60 each | ☐ |
| Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2" | 20 each | ☐ |
| Wood screws, 1-1/4" | 10 each | ☐ |
| Drawer slides, 16 in, pair | 3 set | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 5 oz | ☐ |
| Sandpaper | 4 sheet | ☐ |
| Pre-stain and stain, or paint and poly | 1 set | ☐ |
| Drawer knobs | 3 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4"
Attach two legs to a top and bottom rail with pocket holes and pocket hole screws. Add the frame inserts inside each side frame, pocket holes on the inside faces. Build two identical side frames.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft, Pocket hole screws, 2-1/2"
Attach the back rails between the two side frames, pocket holes facing the inside. Attach the front rails the same way, with the top rail's holes facing up and the bottom rail's holes facing down so both stay hidden.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x6, 8 ft, 1/4" plywood, half sheet, Wood screws, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Nail and glue the drawer sides, fronts, and backs together for all three drawer boxes. Attach the plywood drawer bottoms with wood screws.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Drawer slides, 16 in, pair
Mount the drawer slides inside the case following the hardware's instructions, leaving about a half-inch gap between each drawer box and the rail above it.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1x6, 8 ft, 1x8, 8 ft, Wood screws, 1-1/4"
Center each drawer face on its opening with an even gap on all sides, then screw through the inside of the drawer box into the back of the face board so no fasteners show.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Pocket Hole Jig. Materials: 2x6, 8 ft, Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4", Wood glue
Edge-join the four top boards and attach to the case from underneath with pocket hole screws through the top rails.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: 1/4" plywood, half sheet, Wood screws, 1-1/4"
Attach the plywood back panel from the inside, leaving a margin around the edges for wood movement.
Tools: Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Sandpaper, Pre-stain and stain, or paint and poly, Drawer knobs
Sand all surfaces smooth, apply pre-stain and your chosen stain or paint, then add the drawer knobs.