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A plywood bench with two open shoe shelves and a toekick — cut every piece from one sheet, working from the biggest parts down.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelves | 2 | 3/4" × 23" × 28 1/2" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Sides | 2 | 3/4" × 23" × 17 1/4" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Top | 1 | 3/4" × 23" × 30 1/2" | 3/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Back | 1 | 1/4" × 18" × 30" | 1/4" plywood | ☐ |
| Toekick | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 28 1/2" | 1x4 | ☐ |
| Top trim | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 30 1/2" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Side trim | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 16 1/2" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Toekick trim | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 27 1/2" | 1x2 | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4" plywood or MDF, 4x8 sheet | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1/4" plywood scrap, for the back | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x2 board, 8 ft (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| 1x4 board, 30 in (Pine) | 1 each | ☐ |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4" and 2" | 60 each | ☐ |
| Wood glue | 4 oz | ☐ |
Overall cost: $$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Circular Saw, Table Saw. Materials: 3/4" plywood or MDF, 4x8 sheet
Mark and cut the sides and shelves first from a full sheet, remembering the saw blade eats about 1/4" — don't mark all pieces at once and cut blind. From what's left, measure and cut the top. Cut the remaining trim pieces to fit as you build rather than pre-cutting to the plan's numbers. Use 2" nails and glue at every joint unless noted otherwise, predrilling and countersinking if you use screws instead, and check the bench is square at each step.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 3/4" plywood or MDF, 4x8 sheet, Finish nails, 1-1/4" and 2", Wood glue
Mark the sides where each shelf will fasten, accounting for the 3/4" plywood thickness, then fasten the shelves to the sides with 2" nails and glue.
Tools: Brad Nailer. Materials: 3/4" plywood or MDF, 4x8 sheet
Mark the top 1/4" in from the sides on both the front and back, then position and fasten it so the sides overhang 1/4" on each edge while the front and back stay flush.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Speed Square. Materials: 1/4" plywood scrap, for the back, Wood glue
Check the assembly for square, then fasten the plywood back with 1-1/4" nails and glue.
Tools: Brad Nailer, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: 1x2 board, 8 ft, 1x4 board, 30 in
Measure and cut the top trim to fit, then nail it in place flush with the top and overhanging the sides by 1/4" to match the top panel. Cut and mark the side trim 1/4" in and fasten it the same overhanging way, nailing through the top trim into the side trim's top edge. Finally, cut and fasten the toekick trim flush at the top, nailing through the side trim into its end edges, then nail through the face of the trim into the toekick itself.