Minimalist Style Dresser With Electronics Bay

This is a design for a minimalist- style bedroom dresser with one of drawer spaces enhanced to support cable box,/dvr, stereo, etc. Now you don't have to choose between a dresser and an entertainment center.

Constructed from plywood using pocket screw construction. -it can be built with a table saw, pocket screw jig and a drill. About as easy as furniture construction can get.

I also plan to make a movable false-drawer front for the electronics bay, but haven't figured it out yet.

UPDATE: The instructable for a drop down false drawer front for the bay is now available: https://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-a-dresser-drawer-to-an-electonics-bay-with/

Materials and Tools

Materials:

1 + 1/2 sheets 3/4 inch veneer face plywood ( top, sides,bottom, braces, drawer faces)
1/2 sheet 1/2 inch plywood (drawer frames)
1 sheet 1/4 inch luan plywood (drawer bottoms, back)
40 feet edge banding veneer (optional)
50 (approx) 1/14 inch pocket screws
12 4 x3/4 wood screws (for back)
48 1 inch finish nails or brads
6 drawer handles
5 sets 14 inch drawer slides
wood glue
1 pint varnish
220 grit sandpaper

Tools:
Table saw with a good plywood blade
pocket screw jig (with drill bit)
drill
screwdriver
clothes iron (for applying veneer)
vibrating sanders
2 to 4 bar clamps (optional)

Planning

Draw out all the pieces and double check your math!. The dimensions I used was 48" width, 18" depth, 30" height.

The carcass is a basic box with a top, bottom, two sides , and a center divider. 1 1/2" braces provide a facing at the top, bottom, and between each drawer.

Drawer slides fit flush with the top of each brace. Drawer faces are flush (not inset) with the sides, and recessed under the top.

The electronics bay is simply a shelf, flush with the top of the top door brace. It can be converted into a drawer without removing the shelf. Just add drawer slides.

It is a good idea to include 4" wide back braces. These can be pocket screwed from the top and base and will add significant strength. A third brace in the middle is not a bad idea either.

Drawer boxes are standard 1/2 inch ply , with a dado cut to receive the drawer bottom.

Cutting

Cut the top, and sides out of the 3/4 ply. Cut a relief along the back of each to accommodate the 1/4 ply backing.
Cut the base, center divider and electronics shelf out of 3/4 ply
cut the drawer fronts out of 3/4 ply
Cut the front and rear spacers out of 3/4 ply
Cut and dado the drawer boxes out of 1/2 ply
Cut the drawer bottoms and dresser back out of 1/4 ply

If desired, dado out the ceter divider to accomodate the front spacers. The spacers should be centered between the top and bottom of adjacent drawers.

(Optional)Makeb a cutout at the bottom of the dresser side to proved a "leg-like" effect.

Assembly

The fun part!

If you are using edge banding, add it now to any edges that you wish to veneer.

Use the pocket screw jig to drill out all the screw holes for the dresser frame and faces. Align the pieces carefully, and start gluing and screwing! Using clamps to hold the pieces makes this easier and more accurate.

Build the drawer boxes. They should be both glued, and nailed. A brad nailer is handy if you have one.

Install the drawer slides on the frame and drawers. Test the drawers.

Don' attach the drawer faces until after they have been finished

Finish

Sand any surfaces that will be exposed
varnish, sanding lighlty between coats

Install the handles on the drawer faces and the attach the drawer faces to the drawer boxes