NotchLoading plan…
Loading plan…
This is a single module meant to sit alongside other matching bases under a shared desktop, rather than a standalone desk — a narrow plywood pedestal holding two drawers, sized to be genuinely interchangeable with other units in the same modular system. If you want to finish the front edges of the plywood with edge banding, do that before assembly, not after — the plan specifically calls out doing this early since only the side front edges need it, and it's far easier to iron on banding to a flat panel than to a partially assembled cabinet.
Attach the 1x boards to the plywood sides with pocket holes if you have a jig, or self-tapping screws and glue if you don't — clamping the boards down while attaching helps if you're working solo without an extra set of hands. The top attaches with brad nails and glue, all outside edges kept flush.
Drawer depth is a genuine build-time choice: use 1x10s instead of the plan's 1x8s for taller drawer sides, or 1x6s to save a little money at the cost of shorter sides — pick your depth before cutting rather than mixing sizes within one drawer. Install the drawer members on the slides with the drawer box inset 3/4" from the cabinet's front edge, test the fit before final attachment, and adjust now if anything binds — this is much easier to fix before the drawer face goes on than after.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 3/4" plywood, ripped to 15-1/2" strips, half sheet or 8 ft strip | 1 each |
| 1/4" plywood, 48 in x 24 in | 1 each |
| 1x2, 8 ft | 1 each |
| 1x4, 4 ft | 1 each |
| 1x12, 3 ft | 1 each |
| 1x8, 8 ft, for drawer sides | 2 each |
| Euro drawer slides, white, 14 in | 2 pair |
| Pocket hole screws, 1-1/4", or self-tapping wood screws, 2" | 60 each |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" and 3/4" | 60 each |
| Iron-on edge banding (optional) | 10 ft |
| Wood glue | 3 oz |
| Primer and paint, or stain and poly | 1 set |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sides3/4" plywood, ripped to 15-1/2" strips, half sheet or 8 ft strip | 2 | 3/4" × 15 1/2" × 29" |
| Base trim1x4, 4 ft | 2 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 18" |
| Top and middle trim1x2, 8 ft | 4 | 3/4" × 1 1/2" × 18" |
| Top3/4" plywood, ripped to 15-1/2" strips, half sheet or 8 ft strip | 1 | 3/4" × 15 1/2" × 19 1/2" |
| Drawer sides1x8, 8 ft, for drawer sides | 4 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 14" |
| Drawer front/back1x8, 8 ft, for drawer sides | 4 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 15 1/2" |
| Drawer bottoms1/4" plywood, 48 in x 24 in | 2 | 1/4" × 17" × 14" |
| Drawer face1x12, 3 ftCut to fit; positioned in a later step. | 1 | 3/4" × 11 1/4" × 27" |
Buy 7 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
1 board
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 →
If finishing plywood edges with edge banding, apply it now to the side front edges. Attach the 1x boards to the plywood sides with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws, or 2" self-tapping screws and glue.
Attach the top with 1-1/4" brad nails and glue, keeping all outside edges flush.
Build the drawer boxes with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws, or 1-1/4" brad nails and glue. Attach the bottoms with 3/4" brad nails and glue. Choose 1x8, 1x10, or 1x6 stock for drawer sides depending on desired depth.
Install the drawer members of the slides on the bottom of the drawers, inset 3/4" from the cabinet's front edge. Install the cabinet members inside the cabinet.
Test the drawer slide fit. Adjust now if anything binds, making sure everything slides smoothly.
With the cabinet upright, position the drawer face on the front and attach with a few 1-1/4" brad nails, avoiding fastener locations that would interfere with slides.
Sand all surfaces and apply primer and paint, or stain and poly.
No reviews yet
Sign in to review this plan or share your build.
No reviews yet. Be the first to build this.