This is a continuation of the Girl’s Maple Dresser project.

Time estimate for this step: 6 hours.

The first step to building this dresser is to build the frame. The frame is what all of the other parts of the dresser will attach to, and is very important to the overall sturdiness of the final product.

For the frame of this dresser, I am using 3/4″ maple veneered plywood. This is cabinet grade plywood, has 13 plies, and is veneered on both sides. For the back of the dresser, I am using 1/4″ maple veneered plywood. The 1/4″ plywood is veneered with maple on only one side.

The frame will have two sides, a top, a bottom, and a divider in the middle between the two sets of drawers.

Step 1a: Cut the frame parts

First, I cut a single sheet of 4′ x 8′ plywood into the various parts. Here is the cutting schedule I used:



Step 1b: Prepare the sides

After the pieces are cut, perform the following cuts on the side pieces:

Using a 1/4″ straight router bit, cut a 1/4″ deep groove on the same side of both side pieces. These will be the grooves that the back rests in.



Step 1c: Prepare the top and bottom

Perform the following cuts on the top and bottom pieces:

Using a 1/4″ straight router bit, cut a 1/4″ deep groove on the same side of both pieces. These will be the grooves that the back rests in.



Step 1d: Cut the back

You will probably want to dry-fit the pieces together and measure for the back. In my case, I cut the back out of 1/4″ maple veneered plywood with the dimensions 45.5″ x 26″.

Step 1e: Glue the sides, top, bottom, and back together

It is very important in this step to make sure that the pieces are glued square. You might want to use some glue that has a decent amount of setup time before starting to dry. I clamp squaring jigs in the corners to make sure the piece stays square while drying. These can be easily made using scrap pieces of 3/4″ plywood.





While the frame is clamped, put 3 screws in each corner on the sides (into the top and bottom).

Step 1f: Glue the center divider

After the sides, top, and bottom pieces are dry, remove the clamps and glue in the center divider. Make sure that the center divider is also square.



At this point, you can finish off the frame by putting the two remaining screws in each corner, making a total of 5.



Step 1 Complete

That’s it for the frame! Next, I’ll start working on the base and the facing.




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tags: woodworking, dresser, maple