NotchLoading plan…
Loading plan…
This is the CPU-tower module of a modular office system: a plywood base cabinet with an open bay tall enough to stand a desktop computer tower in, a center partition, and a small drawer alongside for cables and odds and ends. Paired with the other bases under a shared desktop, it keeps the tower off the floor and the desk cable-managed.
Like the rest of the collection it's built from a sheet of 3/4" plywood ripped into 15-1/2"-wide strips (the plans call this '1x16'), trimmed front and back and edge-banded if you're in plywood rather than MDF. Build the box the same way as the narrow open-shelf base but leave the open bay sized to your tower — measure your actual computer before cutting the partition, since towers vary a lot.
The drawer is a simple 1x4 box on 12" slides with a 1x6 face. If you use undermount slides, install them before you fasten the top in place — they're a nuisance to reach afterward. Set the drawer box inset 3/4" from the front so the face sits proud with an even reveal, then position and fix the face with an even gap all around. Keep the whole box square so it lines up flush with the other modules under the desktop.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 3/4" plywood or MDF, 4x8 sheetRipped into 15-1/2" strips for the box, shelves, and partition. | 1 each |
| 1/4" plywood, back piece | 1 each |
| 1x6 board, 18"Drawer face. | 1 each |
| 1x4 board, 8 ftDrawer box. | 1 each |
| 1x2 and 1x3 trimFront and side trim, as on the narrow base. | 2 each |
| 12" drawer slides, side or undermountInstall undermounts before fastening the top. | 1 pair |
| Pocket-hole screws, 1-1/4" | 40 each |
| Finish nails, 1-1/4" | 30 each |
| Wood glue | 4 oz |
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.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Box top/bottom/sides3/4" plywoodCut to your collection's dimensions; open bay sized to your tower. | 4 | 3/4" × 15 1/2" × 29" |
| Shelves3/4" plywood | 2 | 3/4" × 15 1/2" × 7 1/2" |
| Center partition3/4" plywoodSets the open tower bay — measure your computer first. | 1 | 3/4" × 15 1/2" × 17 3/4" |
| Back1/4" plywood | 1 | 1/4" × 19 1/2" × 29 3/4" |
| Drawer bottom3/4" plywood | 1 | 3/4" × 15 1/2" × 13 1/2" |
| Drawer back1x4 | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 15 1/2" |
| Drawer sides1x4 | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 14 1/2" |
| Drawer face1x6 | 1 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 17 3/4" |
Buy 5 boards at 8 ft.
2 boards
1 board
1 board
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 →
Build the CPU cabinet box from the ripped plywood strips, with the open bay sized to hold your computer tower and the center partition dividing it from the drawer side. Attach the bottom footer and top trim as on the narrow open base. Keep it square so it aligns with the other modules.
Build the drawer box, fastening the sides to the back and reinforcing that back joint with glue. Add the plywood bottom. Keep it square so it slides freely.
Fit the drawer slides into the cabinet — if you chose undermounts, install them before fastening the top. Set the drawer box inset 3/4" from the front to leave room for the face, then push it in.
Position the drawer face on the box, leaving an even gap on all sides, and fasten it. Edge-band exposed plywood edges if needed, sand, and finish to match the collection.
No reviews yet
Sign in to review this plan or share your build.
No reviews yet. Be the first to build this.