Drop-Front Desk

• The hinge location on the Bottom is critical so that when the Desktop is closed it rests parallel to and flush with the front edge of the Side. To accomplish this first temporarily attach the Bottom to one Side using 1 1/4" pocket-hole screws.
• Next, lay the Desktop, with the hinges installed, in place so it is parallel and flush with the front angled edge of the Side. Rest the Desktop on 1/8-thick shims.
• Clamp the Desktop in position or have someone help hold it.
• Then carefully trace around the hinge leaves to mark the hinge location on the desk Bottom.

• Once you have the hinge location marked on the Bottom, detach it from the Side.
• Lay the Desktop and the Bottom on a flat work surface so the hinge locations face one another, and center them to one another so there is an equal gap on each side of the Desktop.
• Flip the loose hinge leaf onto the Bottom and double check your layout lines.
• Then drill and trim the hinge recess in the Bottom, just as you did in the Desktop.
• Drill the mounting holes, and then install hinges the hinges.
• Now you can remove the hinges from the Bottom and the Desktop. You’ll reinstall them later when the desk is complete.

Sometimes it’s easier to finish individual parts than an assembled project. This is one of those times. So, before you start final assembly, sand all of the parts, and then apply the stain or finish of your choice. We used a black stain that creates a dramatic color while still allowing the grain to show. When it dried, we added a couple of coats of water-based polyurethane.

Once the finish is dry, attach the Bottom, Mid Shelf, Top Shelf, and the Cleat to one Side as shown using 1 1/4" coarse-thread pocket-hole screws.

Flip the assembly over onto the second Side and attach this side, as well using 1 1/4" coarse-thread pocket-hole screws.

• Now your desk is almost complete. The next step is to install the lid supports. These are important to hold the desktop in position, and to prevent it from falling open too quickly. The supports we used cost a bit more than some versions, but they accomplish both tasks extremely well. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install and adjust the supports.
• Then you can install the hardware to hang your desk. We used an 18" “Hangman” hanger. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mounting the hanger to the Cleat and to the wall.