Pet Kennel End Table

Cut all 21 six-inch rails with a stop block so they're identical, drill a 3/4" pocket hole in each end, and assemble the slatted railing runs between the 1x3 side boards with 1-1/4" screws and glue.

Even spacing matters here for looks AND function — lay the rails out with a spacer scrap instead of measuring each gap.

Add the 1x2 legs to each side assembly — pocket screws and glue, everything flush at the top where the panel meets the top later. Then brad-nail the 1/4" plywood to the lower portion of each side with 3/4" brads and glue.

Same recipe at end-wall width: 1x3 legs, back boards, plywood panel. You now have three of the four walls.

Pocket-screw the door together (1x2 sides and rails in a 1x3 frame), then build the front wall's door frame. Now, with the front wall FLAT on the bench, install the hinges and the latch — pilot-drilled. The source did hardware at this stage and called it much easier; inside-a-box hinge mounting is nobody's favorite hour.

Check the door swings with an even gap before moving on.

Fill the pocket holes (the source filled three times — filler shrinks), sand to 120, and paint each wall as a flat panel.

Then assemble the four walls: pocket screws and glue for permanent, or corner brackets screwed from the inside for a crate that flat-packs for travel. The brackets cost a few dollars and buy a feature; take that trade.

Screw the project panel to the top from below. For a floor, cut leftover 1/4" ply to fit — lined with plexiglass if accidents are a possibility — or skip it for the housebroken.

Bed goes in, dog goes in, lamp goes on top. Nobody visiting will clock it as a kennel until the tail thumps.