How to Build a Wood Entertainment Center

Lay the two long pieces of plywood lengthwise, so that they are standing on the narrow side. Apply a thin line of wood glue to each end of one of the 46-1/2-inch sheets. Place the piece between the long sides, flush with one end. Measure 4 inches up from the lower edge and insert a screw through the long piece into the end of the shorter one. Measure down 4 inches from the top and put in another screw. Repeat this procedure on the other end of the long pieces, forming the outer shell of the cabinet.

Add a thin line of wood glue all the way around what is now the uppermost edge. Put the largest piece of plywood onto the frame so that all four corners of the plywood are lined up with the corners of the frame. Tack down the plywood with a brad 4 inches from every corner. Allow to dry for four hours.

Turn the entertainment center over so the back is down. Select one end to be the bottom. Measure to the center of the cabinet width (24 inches) and make a faint mark. Put glue on one end of the 16-by-16-inch board. Place the piece inside the cabinet, centered on the mark you just made with the glue side toward the frame of the cabinet. Insert two screws through the bottom panel into the board you are working with, spaced evenly from the top and bottom.

Put a small line of glue on the 16-by-16-inch piece along the opposite edge from where it is already attached. Stand the remaining 46-1/2-inch sheet of plywood inside the cabinet so that it fits snugly against the top of the 16-inch board. Insert two screws through the outside panel on each end of the longer piece. Allow to dry for four hours.

Install the support braces in the smaller compartment. Insert one piece of the 1-by-2 pine in each of the four corners touched by the shelf. Hold the piece so that the wide side is against the cabinet wall, and insert three screws, evenly spaced.