How to Build a Freestanding Corner Stand

Measure 30 inches from the end of the oak plywood sheet, draw a line across the wood making a section 48-by-30 inches. Measure another 30 inches and repeat twice, marking out three sections on the board, with a little excess at one end. Cut the pieces.

Mark your 6-inch board 36 inches from the end and make a line. Mark another 36 inches from that line and make another, then repeat one more time. Cut the three 36-inch sections of board. There will be one excess piece about a foot long at the end; set it aside.

Mark the center of the plywood pieces on the 4-foot edges, on both sides. On one side, measure out 3 inches to each side of the center and mark these points. On the opposite side, measure out 18 inches to each side of the center and mark both points; this is the front edge. On the side ends of the board, measure up 6 inches from the front bottom corners, and mark both sides.

Use the carpenter's square or yard stick and line the straight edge up with the mark you just made on the side end of the board, with the mark on the front edge you measured 18 inches from the center. This should create an angled line across the corner that is 6 inches long. Mark it off. Repeat on the opposite front corner.

Line the straight edge up with the mark on the back side of the board where you measured 3 inches from the center point, with the top mark of the angled corner line you just drew on the side. This creates a long, angled line from the side to the back removing the back side corners.

Cut the three pieces of plywood. Line them up to make sure they are all cut the same and make any necessary adjustments so they are equal and even.

Lay one piece of the plywood flat on your work surface. Line up one of the oak boards so the board bottom edge sits along the front edge of the plywood where you made the angled cut. Make sure the bottom edge of the plywood is even with the bottom edge of the board.

Drill three screw holes evenly across the front of the board at 2-inch intervals. Drill through the board and into the plywood. Use the counter sink bit so a depression is drilled into the board for the screws to sit inside. Make the depression about 1/8th inch deep, no more than 1/4 inch. Repeat for a second board at the other front corner angle, and finally the third board at the center of the back.

Apply wood glue to the edges of the plywood where the three boards will sit. Using the #8 screws screw the boards in place. Sink the screws down into the holes made with the counter sink bits so they don't protrude above the wood.

Turn the piece on its side so it is resting along the long front edge. Measure up 18 inches from the bottom on the back oak board. Repeat for the front side board that is closest to you.

Slide a second plywood shelf between the side support boards and line it up so the board is centered on the 18-inch measurements you just made. Drill out screw holes on the back center board and into the shelf as you did on the first shelf. This time, apply wood glue and screw the plywood and board together on the back center support before you move on to the front supports to keep the board in place.

Move to the second support board where you marked 18 inches, drill the holes, apply glue and screw in place. On the final board measuring is not necessary as it is already secured, just be sure the board is straight and even before drilling your holes. Repeat the drill, glue and screw process to secure this support.

Slide the final plywood shelf in place at the top of the piece, making sure the top surface of the plywood is even with the top edge of the side support boards. Drill, glue and screw your supports in place one by one as you did for the center shelf.

Wipe off any excess glue that has seeped out from any seams. Use the wood putty to fill all of the screw holes, scraping it off evenly with the putty knife to make a smooth surface. Set the piece aside to dry.

Sand the piece smooth, and finish with stain by rubbing it on with a clean rag, or simply seal the wood with a furniture finishing oil such as tung oil.