Instructions to Make a Dresser

Dresser Basics

• Build the dresser from pine. You will find pine in the lumber department of every major home improvement store and lumber yard. It is a relatively inexpensive wood. Carefully inspect every board to make sure each piece is straight and not warped. You will not be able to build a dresser that is square if your pieces are warped. If your dresser is not square, it will not be stable, the drawers will not open and close properly, and it will look shoddy. Give yourself every advantage, and start with good pieces of lumber.

  Measure everything carefully. These plans are based on ones created by Amateur Woodworker. This is a dresser with four drawers that span the entire width of the dresser. Alter the dimensions to suit your needs; however, keep all of the measurements in proportion.

Build the Frame

• Build the frame that will serve as the structure for the front of the dresser with narrow planks of pine. The Amateur Woodworker plans call for 3/4-inch deep and 2 1/2-inch wide pieces. Use wood measuring 40 inches long for the sides of the front frame. Use lap joints to join the vertical pieces with the strips that span the width of the dresser front and separate and support the drawers. Join the pieces of the front frame together with lap joints. Make lap joints by positioning two pieces of wood, so they overlap. Cut away half the thickness of each piece, so when you place the pieces together, they form one whole piece. Secure the pieces together with glue. Create a frame of the same size for the back of the dresser.

  Build the frames for the sides of the dresser with pieces of pine that are 1/2-inch wide and 1/2-inch deep. The tops and bottoms are 14 3/4 inches long, and the sides are 36 1/2 inches long. Use a router to cut a groove along the edge of the pieces that will face into the finished dresser. Fit the pieces of the side frame together with lap joints. Check for square. Add glue around the perimeter of the side plank. Slide the plank into the groove, and screw into place. Screw from the side that will face inwards in the finished dresser.

  Attach the side to the front by overlapping the edges of the side frame with the front frame. Repeat this step with the back frame. Screw the pieces together if speed and convenience are your priority. Use lap joints if appearance is more important. Check for square.

  Attach the top panel of wood to the frame. Set the panel, so it overhangs the front of the dresser by 1 1/2 inch and the back by 1/2 inch. Use dowel joints and finishing nails to attach the top to the front, back and sides. Make dowel joints by drilling small holes into the surface of the wood. Glue in round dowels that you can purchase from any hardware store.

Construct the Drawers

• The drawers are 1/2 inch thick and 6 1/2 inches wide. The sides are 15 1/2 inches long. The back is 29 inches long. Make the front with inner and outer portions. The inner piece is the same as the back, 29 inches. The outer front is slightly bigger and measures 8 1/2 inches wide and 32 /4 inches long. Cut a groove 1/4 inch from the edge of each piece, except the outer front, to hold the drawer bottom. Slide the drawer bottom in place, and screw the pieces together. Attach drawer runners to control opening and closing the drawers, according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

  Sand the entire dresser. Finish with your choice of paint or stain.