How to Make a Simple Desk Table

It's easy to cut out a simple desk and build it in one afternoon, using only one piece of plywood and a few pieces of hardwood lumber. This desk utilizes hardwood plywood to give it beauty and a working surface that is smooth and flat. By using jambs cut from the same piece of plywood as the top, it has matching surfaces and the strength to hold up anything you want to stack on it like computers, copiers or printers.

1 piece 48-by-96-by-3/4-inch shop-grade birch plywood
2 pieces 3-by-36-by-3/4-inch alder stretchers
4 pieces 1-1/12-by-29-1/4-by-3/4-inch alder leg jamb fascia
2 pieces 1 1/2-by-49-1/2-by-3/4-inch alder top fascia, front and back
2 pieces 1/1/2-by-25-1/2-by-3/4-inch alder top fascia, side pieces
2 pieces 3/4-by-3/4-by-22-inch alder screw cleats.
Table saw with miter gauge
Wood glue
Hammer
Drill
1/8-inch drill bit
Screw gun
32 finish nails 1/14 inch
8 wood screws, 2 inch

Instructions

- 1
  Set a table saw at 24 inches and rip the plywood lengthwise. Reset the table saw at 22 inches and rip another piece of plywood. Reset the table saw and crosscut the 24-inch piece at 48 inches for the top of the desk. Set the saw again and crosscut two pieces, 29 1/4 inches from the 22-inch stock for the leg jambs.
- 2
  Set the miter gauge at 45 degrees and miter all the ends of the 49 1/2-, and the 25- 1/2-inch fascia, being careful not to lose any length. Glue and nail them flush to the edge of the top using the finish nails, letting the mitered ends come together and the 3/4-inch lip face down. When the glue is dry, hand-sand the top with a sand block, using 100-grit sandpaper.
- 3
  Glue and nail a 29 /14-inch fascia to both sides of the leg jambs, letting the 3/4-inch lip overhang to the inside of the leg. Stand the leg jambs up 36 inches apart, bracing them with chairs. Glue and place a stretcher between the jambs just behind the 3/4-inch lip and flush with the top. Nail it with a finish nail. Do this to both sides on all four corners. Now pre-drill with a 1/8-bit and finish securing the stretcher to the leg jambs by screwing it with 2-inch wood screws.
- 4
  Glue and screw the screw cleats to the top of the jambs flush with the top between the stretchers. Now space evenly and drill four holes vertically through the screw cleats. Drop the top down over the leg jambs. Crawl under the table and screw the top on using 8 1 1/4-inch wood screws.

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