How to make a nice night stand.

I made this night stand a few years ago for my girlfriend.

I didn't take pictures while I was building this. :(
I am providing you with the dimensions and over all instructions on how to build it.
Thought the parts list for the wood may seem a bit crazy, once you have the wood cut this really goes together quickly.

All measurements are in inches.

Step 1: Tools and Supplies

Tools and supplies:

Circular Saw
Electric Sander
Cordless Drill
Hand Saw
Hammer
Straight Edge/Square
3/8 Drill Bit
Tape Measure
Screw Driver
Pencil
Paint Brush
Multiple Grains of Sand Paper
1 Inch Screws
1-1 ¼ Inch Brad Nails
Green Felt
Drawer Handle
Wood Stain - Golden Oak
Clear Semi-Gloss Polyurethane Spray
Clear Semi-Gloss Polyurethane Liquid
Spray Glue
Wood Glue
Wood Filler

Step 2: Wood

I used Maple Plywood and Pine for this project.

Top - 15 ½ x 13 x ¾ Maple Plywood
Drawer Sides - 11 ½ x 4 ¼ x 7/16 Maple Plywood ( x 2 ).
Drawer Back - 12 ¼ x 4 ¼ x 7/16 Maple Plywood
Drawer Bottom - 14 x 11 ½ x 7/16 Maple Plywood
Bottom Shelf - 14 x 11 ½ x ¾ Maple Plywood

Legs - 1 x 3 Pine board 23 1/8 Inches long ( x 4 ).
- 1 x 2 Pine board 23 1/8 Inches long ( x 4 ).

Bottom Shelf Supports - 1 x 2 Pine 2 Inches long

Inner Top Support ( sides ) - 1 x 2 Pine 11 ½ Inches long ( x 2 ).
Inner Top Support ( back ) - 1 x 2 Pine 8 ¼ Inches long ( x 4 ).

Drawer
Front and Back - 3 9/16 x 10 7/16 x 7/16 Maple Plywood ( x 2 )
Sides - 3 9/16 x 9 9/16 x 7/16 Maple Plywood ( x 2 )
Bottom - 9 9/16 x 9 ½ x 7/16 Maple Plywood

Decorative Pine Strip
Top perimeter ( front and back ) - 16 1/8 Inches long ( x 2 )
Top perimeter ( Sides ) - 13 5/8 Inches long ( x 2 )
Fronts and backs - 10 ½ Inches long ( x 4 )
Sides - 8 ½ Inches long ( x 4 )

Step 3: Directions

Step 1

Assemble the legs first.
Cut the 1 x 2 and 1 x 3 pine to length. Mark and trim the angle cuts on the bottom of the legs. Use 1 ¼ inch brad nails and a small amount of wood glue to secure the two halves of the legs together. After the glue has had a chance to dry, run the sander on the legs. Start with a medium grit and work up to a fine grit. Round off the corners as you sand.

Step 2

Drill 3/8 holes about half way into the 1 x 2 supports that mount to the top. I put a piece of tape on my drill bit so I could make the depth of the holes the same. Square the drawer sides with the top of the legs and secure with screws. Secure the 1 x 2 supports to the drawer sides with screws.

Step 3

Place the top piece on the ground with the face that you want as the top to the ground. Secure the legs to the top with screws through the 1 x 2 supports. Square the drawer back and its 1 x 2 support strip and secure it to the top and back legs with screws.

Step 4

Secure the drawer bottom to the drawer side and back with brad nails.

Step 5

Prepare the lower shelf supports from the detail drawing and secure them to the legs so the bottom of the shelf will be located just above where the angle of the legs stops. Place a small amount of wood glue on the lower shelf supports and slide the lower shelf into place. Secure the lower shelf to the lower shelf supports with screws.

Step 6

Trim the decorative pine strips a little longer then the measurements so they can be fit very tightly into place. Sanding a little until they fit very snug. Place the brad nails in an inconspicuous area. Fill any gaps with wood putty and let it set up. Sand surfaces until smooth. Tip: I used another nail on the head of the brad nail to tap it just below the surface making it harder to notice.

Step 7

Drawer
Secure the drawer back to the drawer sides with brad nails. Slide the bottom of the drawer into place and secure it to the back with brad nails too. By securing the back first if you make a mistake it is more likely to be hidden. Secure the front with brad nails last.

Step 8

Fill all nail holes and any gaps with wood putty and sand until wood is smooth.

Step 9

In a well ventilated area apply the wood stain you have chosen. I used a light oak with only one application. The more applications the darker the wood will be. Allow stain to dry by the manufacturers recommendations.

Step 10

In a well ventilated area apply the polyurethane. I wanted a semi antique look on the top surface so I brushed on the polyurethane in a few layers leaving long brush strokes in the same directions allowing dry time between each application. I used spray on polyurethane for the rest of the night stand because it goes on smooth and even. Allow lots of dry time and spray a few layers for good protection. Be safe and wear a dust mask. After all has dried wet sand the entire thing with very fine sand paper. Wipe down and remove all the dust. Spray with one last coat of polyurethane and allow it to dry.

Step 11

Cut some felt to size for the inside of the drawer. Spray in some glue and apply felt. Allow it to dry.

Step 12

Show it off to your friends and then give it to someone you love.