1-Board Cedar 2-Drawer Desktop Storage Cube

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Difficulty

Beginner Projects

Build a 1-Board Cedar 2-Drawer Desktop Storage Cube, from 1 cedar fence picket, about $3 for wood.

Build a Cedar 2-Drawer Desktop Storage Cube from just 1 cedar fence picket. No angles, special cuts or rips are required. You can build this in an afternoon. Designed as an accompanying piece for the 1-Board Cedar Desk Accessory Set (those plans are here: http://ana-white.com/2013/08/plans/1-board-cedar-desk-accessory-set).

This plan requires just your miter saw, nail gun or brad nailer, and your palm sander. You can also build this plan from ½” x 5 ½” craft board. You would need two 36” pieces. The finished height is 5 ½” tall, 5 ½” wide, and 5 ½” long.

This is the board I’m using:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_5447-14963-5447_0__?productId=4746391&Ntt=picket...

This is only the 3rd piece I’ve designed & built using a cedar picket. It is absolutely gorgeous wood with really interesting grain patterns and a lot of character. And cedar smells wonderful! Although the fence boards are fairly rough, they sand well, and I’ve found that 80-grit followed by 220-grit sandpaper works well for getting the sides of your board nice and smooth before you start cutting. I would recommend a mask for sanding, since cedar makes very fine sawdust.

Measure and cut as you build to get the best fit for all of your pieces. This is because board thickness and width may vary, and cutting to size as you build will give you the best outcome. This is also why I would recommend finishing after assembly, because you’ll have more sanding to do after the construction part is done.

Although I was careful to pick the flattest picket I could find, there still was a little bit of cupping in the board. Once everything was assembled and I had the nail holes filled, I went over the whole piece again with some 60-grit sandpaper to smooth down any high spots from the cupping.

The plan is designed to use pulls made from the cedar. You can use any knob or pull you like. When using store-bought knobs or pulls, you may need a shorter screw or a 1/4" spacer, since the screws for these are sized for a 3/4" thick door or drawer front.

This took about 3 hours to build. Finishing time will depend on the finish you use.

The full plan with step by step instructions is attached as a .pdf file, located just below the General Instructions section.

I’m posting this as a beginner plan, because really this is just a little bookshelf and some boxes. You just have to measure and trim as you go, sand everything really well, and you can do it!

Dimensions

5 1/2" wide, 5 1/2" tall, 5 1/2" long

Preparation

Shopping List

Shopping List:
1 cedar fence picket, 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 6'
wood glue
1" finish nails
Finishing materials for desired finish
Knobs or pulls (optional)

Tools:
measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
compound miter saw
nailer
Sander

If using store bought knobs/pulls, you will also need:
Drill
Screwdriver

Common Materials

Elmer's Wood Glue

Elmer's Wood Filler

Cut List

Box:

3 pc @ 4 ½” (sides and back), then cut back down to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
2 pc @ ~ 5 ½” (top & bottom, cut these to fit during step 2a)
1 pc @ ~ 4 ½” (shelf, cut this to fit during steps 4a and 4b, will be 4 ½” x ~5”)

Drawers:

4 pc @ 1 7/8”, then cut to 4 ¼” (drawer fronts and backs)
4 pc @ 1 7/8” (drawer sides, cut length to fit during step 1a of drawer build, will be 1 7/8” x ~4”)
2 pc @ 3 ¼” (drawer bottoms, cut to fit during step 3a of drawer build, will be 3 ¼” x ~4”

Pulls:
2 pc @ ¾” x 1 ½” – cut these from the scraps

Cutting Instructions

Measure and cut as you go, in the order of the cut list. The cut list and step by step instructions will show you which pieces to measure first.

Tools

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Tip: sand board thoroughly on both sides before cutting

Instructions

Step 1

Building the Box, Page 1:

Step 1a. Measure 2” down from insides of top & back and mark with a line. You will use this line to line up the shelf in step 4b.

Step 1b. Attach sides to back, keeping backs and tops/bottoms flush. Use glue & 1” finish nails

Step 2a. Measure back at this point to confirm the length of top & bottom. Cut top & bottom to this length (should be approx. 5 ½”)

Step 2b. Attach bottom to sides & back, keeping outside edges flush. Use glue & 1” finish nails.

Step 2

Building the Box, Page 2:

Step 3. Attach top to sides & back, keeping outside edges flush. Use glue & 1” finish nails.

Step 4b. Measure bottom front to back, (should be about 5”) and trim shelf to this length. This will be the length of the drawer. (You’ll need this # for the drawer build.)

Step 4c. Attach shelf inside box, keeping top edge of shelf flush with the line drawn from
step 1a. Use glue & 1” finish Nails.

Step 3

Build the Drawers, Page 3

Step 1a. Determine length of side pieces:
Length of drawer minus thickness of front & back. Trim length of both sides to this length. (Sides will be approximately 4”.)

Step 1b. Attach front & back to side as shown, keeping outside and bottom edges flush. Use
Glue & 1” finish nails.

Step 2. Attach other side to front and back as in step 1b.

Step 3a. Set drawer box on top of bottom and trace measurement onto drawer bottom. Cut drawer bottom to the marked lines. Dry fit drawer bottom inside sides and check for square. Trim if necessary.

Step 3b. Once you are satisfied with the square, remove bottom, add some glue to the inside of the sides at the bottom, and fit drawer bottom back in place, keeping bottoms flush. Attach with glue and 1” finish nails.

Step 4

Page 4 - Finishing tips:

Sand all pieces before assembly.

Fill nail holes and sand after assembly. (recommend stainable filler if staining)

Apply finish (paint or stain) as desired.

Attach knobs/pulls:

Plan calls for wood pulls made from scrap cedar pieces. These are glued in place.

If substituting regular knobs/pulls, measure for placement and drill holes, and attach. Since the drawer front is only ½” thick, you may need either a shorter screw or some ¼” spacers (some washers or a ¼” piece of wood will work for spacers). Regular knobs/pull screws are usually sized for a ¾” thick door or drawer front.

PDF

PDF Version

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Finish Used

The plan for this piece is to stain it Walnut to match the 1-Board Cedar Desk Accessory Set that I posted last week. But, the wood for this was so pretty I just had to post it unfinished first, to show off the wonderful cedar wood grain. Later this weekend I'll add a photo of the stained piece.

Project Type

Other Projects

Room

office

Style

Farmhouse Furniture

Comments

yurra-bazain

Mon, 08/26/2013 - 17:24

Must make!

I really want to add these to my bathroom storage plans next month. :) I love the two drawers, and especially love that it is made of a single cedar fence picket. :) I may just have to make one for my closet too! =D

JoanneS

Tue, 08/27/2013 - 02:36

Thank you!

Yvonne, thank you so much for your nice comments! I can't wait to see what you build for your next project. Although I am not sure how you can make that bathroom in your apartment more beautiful, the pictures if it are stunning. If you would like something else cedar for your closet, let me know the sizes - I'll draw something for you. Cedar is fun! Thanks again! :)