Easy-To-Build Nightstand

Instructions

1. 1Create the Legs

   Cut four Legs to length from a 1x4 board, as shown in the cutting diagram.

2. 2Cut the Rails

   • Now you can cut four Rails from a 1x4 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. To do that, you’ll need to set your miter saw to a 45° bevel angle. If your saw doesn’t have bevel-cutting capability, you can instead stand the board on ages and rotate the blade for 45° miter cuts instead.
   • Then, with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the back face of the Top Rail, as shown.

3. 3Drill Pocket Holes in the Rails

   • With the Rails cut, it’s time to drill pocket holes. Because of the mitered ends, this takes a couple of setups.
   • Start with your pocket-hole jig and the drill bit set up for 3/4" material, and drill the pocket holes along the edge of each rail, as shown. For the ends, keep your jig at the 3/4" setting, but change the drill bit to the 1/2" setting.
   • Then drill pocket holes as shown.

4. 4Attach the Rails to the Legs

   After sanding the Rails and Legs, you can connect them. To do that, join two Rails to one Leg, as shown, using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws. Then make another assembly just like it.

5. 5Add the Other Legs

   Now you can connect the other two Legs using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws.

6. 6Create a Shelf

   • Cut a Shelf to size from 3/4" plywood, as shown in the cutting diagram.
   • Then clip off the corners, as shown.
   • Once you’ve done that, drill a pair of pocket holes at each corner with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material. Cover edges of the plywood that will be exposed with iron-on edge banding. (Or, if you intend to paint, fill the edges with spackling compound, and then sand it smooth.)

7. 7Install the Shelf

   With the Shelf done, you can attach it to the Legs using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws.

8. 8Make the Top Slats

   Cut four Top Slats to length from a 1x6 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. Then, with your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" material, drill pocket holes in the Top Slats as shown.

9. 9Assemble the Top

   After sanding the top slats, connect them using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws.

10. 10Mount the Top and Finish

    • To complete your nightstand, mount the Top to the base.
    • Lay the Top face down and position the base on the Slats so that there are equal overhangs on all sides.
    • Then attach the Top to the Rails using 1 1/4" fine-thread pocket-hole screws.
    • Then coat the nightstand with the finish, stain, or paint of your choice.