Use your browser's Print (Ctrl/Cmd + P) and choose Save as PDF. This page works offline once you've opened it with a signal.

File Base for the Classic Storage Wall System Desk

A two-drawer file cabinet built to sit under a desk, with undermount slides and shop-made framed drawer faces. Sheet-goods box with a face frame and base moulding.

Difficulty: Advanced
Time: 8–13 hrs plus finishing
Cost: $$$

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Top	1	3/4" × 23 1/4" × 17"	3/4 in plywood	☐
Sides	2	3/4" × 23 1/4" × 29 1/4"	3/4 in plywood	☐
Shelves	2	3/4" × 23 1/4" × 15 1/2"	3/4 in plywood	☐
Back	1	1/4" × 16 1/2" × 30"	1/4 in plywood	☐
Face-frame bottom	1	3/4" × 2 1/2" × 17"	1x3	☐
Face-frame side trim	2	3/4" × 1 1/2" × 25 1/4"	1x2	☐
Face-frame top trim	2	3/4" × 1 1/2" × 17"	1x2	☐
Shelf trim	1	3/4" × 1 1/2" × 15 1/2"	1x2	☐
Base moulding	1	3/4" × 2 1/2" × 17"	moulding	☐
Drawer bottoms Cut from 1x24 @ 12-1/4", then trim 3/4" off the long edge.	2	3/4" × 12 1/4" × 22 3/4"	3/4 in plywood	☐
Drawer backs	2	3/4" × 9 1/4" × 12 1/4"	1x10	☐
Drawer sides	4	3/4" × 9 1/4" × 23 1/2"	1x10	☐
Drawer-face backs	2	3/8" × 11 5/8" × 13 3/4"	3/8 in plywood	☐
Drawer-face rails	4	3/8" × 1 1/2" × 11 5/8"	3/8 in plywood	☐
Drawer-face stiles	4	3/8" × 1 1/2" × 10 3/4"	3/8 in plywood	☐

Materials

Item	Qty	✓
Plywood or MDF, 3/4 in A1, 4x8 sheet Made into 1x24 boards for the box.	1 each	☐
Plywood, 3/8 in, partial sheet Drawer faces. Use 1/4" + doubled frames if 3/8" isn't available.	1 each	☐
Plywood, 1/4 in, scrap Cabinet back.	1 each	☐
1x2, 8 ft Side, top, shelf trim.	1 each	☐
1x3, 2 ft Bottom face-frame rail.	1 each	☐
1x10, 10 ft Drawer sides and backs.	1 each	☐
Base moulding, 2-1/2 in	2 ft	☐
Undermount drawer slides, <23 in	2 pair	☐
Brad nails, 5/8 in, 1-1/4 in, 2 in	1 box	☐
Wood glue	1 bottle	☐
Primer and paint	1 quart	☐

Overall cost: $$$. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.