DIY Side Table With Drawer

To build the table top, it can be assembled with glue only or with glue and pocket holes. For glue only, it is best to rip down wider boards to 5 1/2" wide to get a clean, straight edge. This can be done on the adaptive cutting system or a table saw. If using standard 2x6 boards, it is best to use pocket joinery to make the table top stronger. For the pocket joinery method, drill 1 1/2" pocket holes into the edges of the boards. Glue and clamp the boards together, secure with 2 1/2" pocket screws. Boards can be cut slightly long and then squared up/trimmed down on the adaptive cutting system.

Drill 3/4" pocket holes into the pieces that make up the drawer front. Glue and clamp together, then secure with 1 1/4" pocket screws.

• To build the drawer box, rip the plywood pieces to 7" wide. Use the diagram as a reference for the sizes to cut the drawer box pieces. The sides should be 18" long.
• Measure the inside width of the table base. The drawer box should be 1" narrower than the inside width to accommodate the drawer slides.
• Drill 3/4" pocket holes into the front and back drawer box pieces.
• Glue and assemble the drawer box with 1 1/4" pocket screws.
• Measure the drawer box dimensions and cut 1/4" plywood to size.
• Glue and nail the plywood in place to the bottom of the drawer box.
• Attach the drawer slides to the center of the drawer box as well as the center of the base, using the Kreg drawer slide jigs

• Attach the table top to the base using desktop fasteners. Trace the outside edge of the desktop fasteners on the top of the base, 3 on each side. Using a 3/4" forstner bit, drill approximately 1/8" down until the top of the desktop fastener is flush with the top of the base.
• Attach the desktop fasteners with 1 1/4" wood screws.
• Center the table top onto the base with an equal overhang on each side.
• Clamp in place and attach via the other end of the desktop fasteners with 1 1/4" wood screws.

• Set up the Kreg hardware jig to match the hole pattern on your hardware choice.
• Drill holes into the drawer front using the jig and a 3/16" drill bit.
• Center the drawer front over the installed drawer box and ensure an even gap all of the way around (stacks of playing cards work great for this). Drive two 1 1/4" screws through the pre-drilled holes, into the drawer box to temporarily secure the front.
• Pull the drawer out and drive screws through the inside of the drawer box to securely attach the box to the drawer front.
• Remove the screws from the drawer front and finish drilling 3/16" holes in through the drawer box.
• Attach drawer handle/pull.

Finish your project as desired with paint or stain. Remove the drawer pull/handle to finish the drawer front.