How to Build a Computer Armoire

Cutting the Parts

• 1

  Set the table saw fence at 47-inches and cut two pieces from one of the sheets of plywood by cutting across the grain. This will give you two pieces that are 48-inches wide and 47-inches long. Set these aside for now. Next, set the table saw fence where 24-inches comes to the middle of the blade. Rip the remaining full sheets of plywood lengthwise along with the two blocks you just cut. This will give you four pieces of plywood that are 96-inches long and four pieces of plywood that are 47-inches long. They will all be approximately 24-inches wide.

• 2

  Now, set the fence at 23¾-inches and cut one of the 24-by-96-inch pieces across the grain to give you one piece that is 23¾-by-24-inches. Draw a line beginning on the 24-inch edge that is 4-inches long and ¾-inch from the back edge. Cut this notch out with the jigsaw. Set this aside for now.

• 3

  Next, set the table saw fence to 18-inches and rip one piece from the left over piece from Step 2. Set this and the remaining piece from this block aside for now.

• 4

  Set the table saw at 24-inches over the blade. Cut the two 96-inch pieces of plywood across the grain resulting in two pieces of plywood measuring 24-by-72-inches. These are the end panels for the armoire. Also, cut the ¼-inch plywood across the grain at this setting. This is the back of the armoire.

• 5

  Set the table saw at 12-inches, rip one of the 47-inch pieces to give you a piece of plywood measuring 12-by-47, then draw a line across it at 46¼-inches and cut it across the grain with the circular saw. The result is a piece 12-by-46½-inches. Set the table saw fence at 4-inches and rip two pieces from what was left after cutting the 12-inch piece and one from Step 3. Cut them to 46½-inches as well. Set this aside for now. Next, set the table saw at four inches over the blade. Cut the 18-inch wide piece from Step 3 cross grain resulting in an 18-by-43-inch piece. This is the keyboard tray.

• 6

  Lay the pieces on the floor or a table to be certain that everything you need has been cut. You should have two pieces 24-by-72-inches; these are the end panels. Three pieces 24-by-47-inches; these are the fixed shelves. One piece 12-by-46½-inches; this is the stabilizer. Three pieces 4-by-46½-inches; these are the braces. One piece 18-by-43-inches; this is the keyboard tray. One piece 23¾-by-24-inches with a notch; this is the divider that goes between the two top fixed shelves.

• 7

  Remove the blade from the table saw and install the dado blades. Add enough blades to cut a dado that is ¾-wide. Once this is done, lower the blades below the surface of the table saw. Cut a piece of lumber from the 2-by-4 that is the length of the table saw fence and clamp it to the fence with the C-clamps. You should also have one piece that is 24-by-96-inches. This will be the face frame.

Putting the Cabinet Together

• 8

  Set the table saw fence just to the right of the dado blades. Turn the table saw on and slowly raise the dado blades until they are at least ¼-inch in height. Cut a dado in a scrap piece of wood and check it by slipping it over one of the armoire pieces. Adjust the dado blades if needed. Next, cut dadoes across the grain of the two end panels.

• 9

  Set the table saw fence at 24-inches and cut dadoes in the two end panels. Next, set the table saw fence at 29¼-inches. Turn the end panels around and cut the dadoes across the grain.

• 10

  Set the table saw fence at 23 1/8-inches. Cut a dado across the grain of two of the fixed shelves. Apply glue to the top two dadoes on the end panels and insert these two shelves into the dadoes. Be certain that the dadoes in the fixed shelves face each other. Secure the shelves with 6d finish nails.

• 11

  Apply glue to the remaining fixed shelf, insert it into the remaining dado and secure it with 6d finish nails. Next, apply glue to the 24-inch edges of the divider, insert it into the dadoes between the top two shelves and secure it with the 6d finish nails.

• 12

  Apply glue to the 12-inch edges of the stabilizer and place it between the end panels as you would a shelf. Secure it to end panels with 6d finish nails. Next, apply glue to three sides of the braces, place one under each of the three fixed shelves, and secure them with the 6d finishing nails. Apply glue to the exposed edges of the entire armoire, set the ¼-inch plywood back on it and secure it with the 2d box nails.

• 13

  Set the table saw fence at 2-inches. Rip eleven pieces from the remaining 24-by-96-inch piece of plywood. Cut two of them to 72-inches, three of them to 40-inches and one to 22-inches. Lay the two 72-inch pieces side-by-side. Measure from one end and make marks at 30 and 48-inches. Lay two of the 40-inch pieces side-by-side and make a mark at 19 and 21-inches.

• 14

  Lay the three 40-inch pieces between the two 72-inch pieces. One goes at the top and one goes to the left of the two remaining marks. Apply glue to the ends of these and secure them with the corrugated fasteners. Apply glue to the 22-inch piece and secure it on the marks made on the 40-inch pieces with the corrugated fasteners. Next, apply glue to the exposed edges of the armoire and secure the face frame to it with 6d finish nails.

Finishing Up

• 15

  Set the table saw fence at 1¾-inches. Rip the remaining 2-by-4 to this width. Next, set the table saw fence at 1¼-inches, turn the 2-by-4 on its edge and rip it again. This will result in a 2-by-4 that measures 1¾-by-1¼-inches. Cut two pieces 23-inches long.

• 16

  Measure up from the floor 22-inches on the end panels and make a mark. Place the framing square directly behind the face frame and draw a line on the end panels. Apply glue to the 1¾-inch side of the lumber and secure it on these lines with drywall screws. Be certain to countersink the screw heads.

• 17

  Install the KV drawer slide parts according to manufacturer's instructions. Slide the keyboard tray in place.

• 18

  Drill holes using the hole saw where needed for wiring and connections of the computer. Install the doors according to the hinge specifications.