How to Make a Dresser (with Crates for Drawers)

This is a step by step build of a nice little dresser that uses crates for drawers.

Be sure to check out the video if you get lost along the way:

Supplies

1x12 or 12” edge glued lumber 6 ft 1 pc
1/4” utility panel 4x8 sheet 1pc
1/2” plywood 4x8 sheet 1pc
12” edge glued lumber at 8ft 1pc
1x2’s 8ft 5pcs
1x3’s 8ft 1pc
18” drawer slides 4 sets
1 1/4” pocket holes 100pcs
Paint, glue, stain and polycrylic as needed

Crate materials (also some of the 1/2' plywood above)
2x6” 8ft 1pc (makes about 8 crates)
1x8” 10ft 1pc

Step 1: Cut Up Some 1x2s

Cut 6 pieces at 45.5”
Cut 2 pieces at 17”
Cut 4 pieces at 13”

We will be using these to make the face and frame of our dresser

Step 2: Cut Up a 1x3

Cut 2 pieces at 17”
Cut one piece at 13”

We will be using these for the face and frame on the bottom of the dresser

Step 3: Put Some Pocket Holes in Those Boards

Put 2 pocket holes on each side of those boards you just cut out (except the 45.5” 1x2s).

Step 4: Assemble the Face

Put a 45.5” 1x2 on each side.

Then mount a 13” 1x2 to the top using pocket screws and wood glue.

Attach a 13” 1x3 to the bottom.

Then attach the last three 13” 1x2s evenly spaced between them. There should be a 9 1/4” gap between each board.

Step 5: Assemble the Two Sides

Use a 45.5” 1x2 on each side
then attach a 17” 1x2 on the top and a 17” 1x3 on the bottom.

Step 6: Sand These Pieces Down

Step 7: Start Assembling

Attach the face to the front of the two sides using finishing nails or a brad nailer and wood glue. We want the sides of the front boards to be flush with the left and right sided

Step 8: Cut Up Some 1/2” Plywood

We need two pieces that are 19.5” x 43.5”
And one piece that is 19.5” x 14.5”

Step 9: Cut Four 6” Strips of 1/4” Utility Panel

Then cut those into 14 pieces that are 19.5” long

Step 10: Attach These Pieces to the Two Large Pieces of Plywood

I used wood glue and some super short brad nails to attach these. They have a 1/4” gap between them

Step 11: Attach the Two Sides and the Bottom

Use wood glue and finishing nails to attach the sides to the inside of the dresser. Make sure the two sides are flush with the top.

Then attach the bottom using glue and finishing nails

Step 12: Cut a Pieces of 1/2” Plywood to 14.5”x45.5”

This will be for the back of our dresser

Step 13: Attach the Back Using Wood Glue and Finishing Nails

Step 14: Cut 2 Pieces of 12” Edge Glued Lumber at 17” Long

Rip one piece down to 9 1/4” wide using the table saw.
If you are using 1x12s instead of edge glued lumber rip the one piece down to 10” wide

Step 15: Assemble Those Two Pieces With Wood Glue and Pocket Screws

Step 16: Attach the Top

Use wood glue and pocket screws to attach the top.
The front and sides should overhang 1/2”

Step 17: Install Some 18” Drawer Slides

I used a square to make a mark that was perpendicular to my openings. I also attached my drawer slides close to the top to the drawers looked like they were hanging

Step 18: Build 4 Crates

Check out my instructable on how to build these:

https://www.instructables.com/How-to-Make-a-Better-Crate/

Step 19: Mount the Drawer Slides Onto the Crates

I attached the first crate with the dresser on its side to see where they should be mounted so there would be a 1/4” gap on the top and bottom of the crates.
Then I attached the rest of them outside of the dresser