Wireless Charging Bedside Table

This is a simple project that anyone with basic woodworking knowledge can do. The majority of the wood is plywood so it's fairly inexpensive, and the electronics are really cheap!

Watch the YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/wj0pw0a6vQI

The first step is to build the main body of the beside table, the carcass. I made this out of plywood but you could use MDF.

I used a single sheet of plywood, 1200mm x 600mm. It got cut into 2 side panels and 3 shelves. Using a circular saw and a straight edge I could the sheet up. All of the shelves were cut to a final size at the same time to ensure they were the same size.

On the legs I used a router to create 3 grooves the same width as the plywood. This was for a visual effect but also added strength to the join.

Before gluing the piece together I made sure to sand all of the inside faces. It's a lot easier doing it now when the faces are easily accessible.

Then I glued all the boards together and drove some dowels into the shelves, through the legs for extra strength.

I was going to use another sheet of plywood for the top but decided it would be a bit bland. So I used some hardwood instead but the routing step is the same regardless.

Once you have your table top cut to size, the next job is to route out wood for the charger. I'm using a cheap charger and a male to female micro USB cable. The female end of the cable has mounting screws.

The most important thing with the charger, and this will require some testing, is to find out how much distance between the charger and the phone you can get away with. In my case I was able to do about 5mm, so using this I knew how much I need to remove from the table top.

Once you have the depth for the router, tape the charger and cable to the table top and draw the lines that you'll need to cut. Then get started removing, easing into the required depth.

Once you're finished routing, sand the table top and finish both sides.

After the table top has dried flip it upside down and line up the carcass (also upside down) where you want it with the top. Clamp it in place and drill pilot holes, making sure to not go through the table top.

Because I was using a solid wood top, that would move with seasonal changes, I had to widen the outside holes of the carcass to allow it to move.

After that, countersink the holes and then screw the 2 together. With delicate, thin material I like to use a hand screwdriver to get a light touch.

Finally I screwed the female usb connector into the table top.

The last step is to plug it in and find where you need to place the phone for it to charge.