Notch- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Time
- 5.5–11 hours
- Cost
- $$$
About this build
This desk features a hideaway printer cabinet. A slide-out tray is tucked neatly behind a door with two faux drawer fronts. Two real drawers keep office supplies organized and out of the way.
Tools
Essential
- Brad Nailer
- Circular Saw
- Drill / Driver
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Random Orbit Sander
- Router
- Table Saw
Optional / nice to have
- Bar / Pipe Clamps
- Combination Square
- Tape Measure
Materials
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Plywood, 3/4" Thick Full Sheet | 1 board |
| Plywood, 3/4" Thick Quarter Sheet | 1 board |
| Plywood, 1/4" Thick Quarter Sheet | 1 board |
| Board, 2x2 96" | 2 board |
| Board, 1x6 96" | 3 board |
| Board, 1x4 96" | 2 board |
| Board, 1x2 96" | 2 board |
| Drawer Knobs or Pulls | 5 each |
| Hinges | 2 each |
| 18" Drawer Slides | 3 each |
| 1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws | 1 each |
| 3/4" Brad Nails | 1 each |
| Wood Glue | 1 each |
Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
Cut list
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Legs | 6 | 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" × 29" |
| Printer Cabinet Sides | 2 | 3/4" × 18" × 27" |
| Printer Cabinet Back | 1 | 3/4" × 23 1/4" × 27" |
| Short Aprons | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 18" |
| Long Apron | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 28 3/4" |
| Long Stretcher | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 28 3/4" |
| Short Stretcher | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 18" |
| Shelf | 1 | 3/4" × 18 3/4" × 23 1/4" |
| Shelf Trim | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 23 1/4" |
| Tray Bottom | 1 | 3/4" × 18 3/4" × 21 1/2" |
| Tray Sides | 2 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 18 3/4" |
| Tray Back | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 20" |
| Tray Slide Support | 1 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 18" |
| Door | 1 | 3/4" × 15" × 23" |
| Large Drawer Bottom | 1 | 1/4" × 17 1/2" × 26 3/4" |
| Large Drawer Front | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 26 1/4" |
| Large Drawer Back | 1 | 3/4" × 3" × 26 1/4" |
| Large Drawer Sides | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 18" |
| Small Drawer Bottom | 1 | 1/4" × 17 1/2" × 21 1/4" |
| Small Drawer Front | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 20 3/4" |
| Small Drawer Back | 1 | 3/4" × 3" × 20 3/4" |
| Small Drawer Sides | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 18" |
| Large Drawer Face | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 28 3/4" |
| Small Drawer Face | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 23 1/4" |
| Desk Top | 1 | 3/4" × 23" × 58 1/2" |
What to buy
Buy 15 boards at 8 ft.
1 1/2" × 1 1/2"
2 boards
3/4" × 23 1/4"
1 board
3/4" × 23"
1 board
3/4" × 18 3/4"
1 board
3/4" × 18"
1 board
3/4" × 15"
1 board
3/4" × 5 1/2"
2 boards
3/4" × 3 1/2"
2 boards
3/4" × 3"
1 board
3/4" × 1 1/2"
2 boards
1/4" × 17 1/2"
1 board
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Instructions
1Build the Printer Cabinet Carcass
Drill 3/4" pocket holes on the top and sides of the 3/4" plywood and attach it to the 2x2 legs with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue. Note that the plywood panels are flush to the interior edge of the legs.
2Add the Desk Aprons and Legs
Drill 3/4" pocket holes into the 1x6s and 1x2s and attach to the printer cabinet carcass with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue. All boards are flush to the interior edges of the legs.
3Attach the Shelf
- Drill 3/4" pocket holes around all underside edges of the 3/4" plywood shelf.
- Attach the shelf to the printer cabinet carcass with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue.
- Attach the 1x2 trim to the shelf with 1-1/4" pocket holes and wood glue.
4Build the Printer Tray
- Attach the 1x2 slide support to the right side of the printer cabinet carcass with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue.
- Build the tray by attaching the 1x2 back and sides to the 3/4" plywood bottom with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue. Install the drawer slides according to manufacturer's directions.
5Add the Printer Cabinet Door
- Route a 1/8" deep groove into the 3/4" plywood door to mimic two faux drawer fronts.
- Attach door to printer cabinet with hinges.
- Attach drawer knobs or pulls.
6Build the Drawers
- For the drawer backs, rip a 1x4 board down to 3" wide.
- Next, route a 1/4" deep groove into the 1x4 drawer fronts and sides.
- Drill 3/4" pocket holes on the outsides of the drawer fronts and backs (pocket holes will be hidden by drawer face in the next step). Construct the drawer boxes with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. The 1/4" plywood drawer bottom will slide into the grooves in the front and sides.
- Attach the bottom panel to the back with 3/4" brad nails.
7Attach the Drawer Faces
Attach the drawer faces to the drawer boxes with 1-1/4" screws. Install drawer knobs or pulls.
8Install Drawers and Drawer Slides
Install 18" drawer slides according to manufacturer's directions.
9Attach the Top
Attach the top with 1-1/4" pocket holes and wood glue. Pre-drill and countersink pilot holes above the 3 front legs and drive 1-1/4" wood screws down into the legs. Allow for a 1" overhang on all sides. To hide the raw plywood edges, iron on 3/4" veneer edge banding.
10Visit JenWoodhouse.com
For more free building plans and DIY project ideas, visit JenWoodhouse.com.
11Finishing Steps
Sand, stain or paint, and finish as desired.
Tags
- Office
- Intermediate
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