How to Build an Executive Desk

Pedestal Base, Drawer Cabinets and Top

• 1

  Place all the material from the list under "Pedestal Base" on a worktable. Apply glue to the ends of the 26¼-inch pieces, place them between the 16-inch pieces and secure them with the finish nails. Fit the two pieces that are 26¼x14½ inside the frames and secure them with the finish nails.

• 2

  Place the four pieces of plywood that are 16½x29¾ on the table. These are the tops and bottoms of the drawer cabinets. Install the KV drawer slides to the inside of the end panels according to manufacturer's instructions. The drawer fronts for this desk will be flush with the front of the cabinets.

• 3

  Apply glue to the 29¾-inch edges of one and place it between and on the bottom of two of the 20¾x29¾ inch pieces (the end panels). Secure them with the finish nails. Place another one at the top of the end panel and secure it with the finish nails. Repeat this with the remaining drawer cabinet pieces.

• 4

  Place the two cabinets from Step 2 apart from each other so there is 30 inches between them. Place the 27½x66x¾-inches oak plywood (back) on top of the cabinets. Adjust the fit so the 66-inch back is flush with the top and one side of the drawer cabinets.

• 5

  Remove the back, apply glue to the edges and secure the back to the drawer cabinets with the finish nails. Iron on the 1x30-inch veneer edging to the ends of the back. Break off the excess by folding it over the bottom edge of the cabinet and sand the excess from the edges with a sanding block.

• 6

  Stand the desk up so the bottoms of the drawer cabinets are facing up. Place the pedestals on the bottoms of the drawer cabinets so they are flush with the knee space side of the cabinets and against the back. Draw a line around the perimeter of the pedestal and remove them. Apply glue inside the drawing, replace the pedestals and secure them with the drywall screws. Do not countersink the drywall screws.

• 7

  Place the 78x36x1½-inch oak solid core door slab on the floor. This is the top of the desk. Measure 6 inches in from the ends of the top and place the desk on those marks. Flush the top with the front of the drawer cabinets. Secure it to the cabinets with the 1½-inch drywall screws on 6-inch centers.

Drawer Boxes and Veneer Edging

• 8

  Place the drawer box sides, fronts, backs and bottoms on the table. Install a ¼-inch router bit into the router and set the fence at ½ inch. Set the depth at ¼ inch. Cut the ¼ inch groove on one of the long edges of all the drawer box parts. For more on the use of router tables see "Router Table Techniques and Tips" in the resources section of this article.

• 9

  Apply glue to one end of two of the sides (28-inch pieces), place them flush on the ends of one the 15 7/16-inch pieces and secure them with the box nails. Be certain the grooves line up. Slide one of the 14-13/16x27 7/16x¼-inch bottoms into the grooves, apply glue to the ends of the sides and secure another 15 7/16 piece to the box. Repeat this for the other four drawers.

• 10

  Install the KV drawer slides to the drawer boxes according to manufacturer's instruction. Next, place the drawer fronts on the table. Place the drawer boxes on their fronts so that they are flush with the top of the front and evenly spaced on the sides. Secure the boxes to the fronts with 1-inch drywall screws.

• 11

  Place one of the 24-inch veneer edging strips on one of the 20¾-inch end panels. Keep it flush with the top of the drawer cabinet. Do not let it extend onto the top. Iron it with a hot iron to activate the adhesive. Break off the excess by folding it over the bottom edge of the cabinet and sand the excess from the edges with a sanding block. Repeat this process for all the remaining veneer edging. Sand the entire desk before staining.