We needed a stand to replace the TV tray we've been using temporarily (for years) for our network printer. My father gave me a ton of poplar he got when he bought a pallet of odds and ends from a saw mill. I bought a little birch plywood, grabbed my pocket hole jig, and got to work.

To make this you will need:

• 3/4 inch lumber
• 1/2 inch think plywood
• Pocket hole jig and screws
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• Brad nailer is helpful, but not necessary
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• Step 1: Cut the legs and cross pieces
  

Rip the stock for the legs and cross pieces to 2 1/2 inches.
Cut 4 legs to a length of 24 3/4 inches.
Cut 6 short cross pieces to a length of 8 inches.
Cut 4 long cross pieces to a length of 18 1/2 inches.
Rip stock for 2 narrow cross pieces to 1 1/4 inches.
Cut those to 18 1/2 inches long.

Step 2: Pocket Hole Assembly

• Drill two pocket holes in each end of the wide cross pieces.
• Drill one pocket hole in each end of the narrow cross pieces.
• Attach a wide short cross piece to the top of 2 legs.
• Attach another wide short cross piece 12 1/4 inches from the bottom of the 2 legs.
• Attach another wide short cross piece 2 inches from the bottom of the 2 legs.
• Repeat for the other side.
• Connect the 2 sides with 2 long wide cross pieces at the top.
• Connect in the back with the other 2 long cross pieces at 12 1/4 and 2 inches from the bottom.

Step 3: Cut cleats and top trim

• Rip stock to 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch.
• Cut 4 long cleats to 18 1/2 inches.
• Cut 4 short cleats to 12 inches.
• Cut 2 trim pieces to 15 3/4 inches.
• Cut a trim piece to 20 inches, and another to 21 1/2 inches.
• Attach a set of 2 short and 1 long cleats 2 1/4 inches from the bottom.
• Attach a set of 2 short and 1 long cleats 12 1/2 inches from the bottom.
• I used brad nails and glue, but just glue and clamps or other fasteners would work.

Step 4: Cut and install shelves

• Cut the 2 lower shelves out of the plywood to 18 1/2 to 13 1/2 inches (check and cut to size if needed)
• Attach the narrow cross pieces and then the other long cleats.
• Glue the 2 lower shelves onto the cleats.
• Cut the top shelf to 20 by 15 inches.
• Glue the top onto the unit.
• Glue the longest trim piece to the front on the top.
• Glue the shorter trim pieces to the sides.
• Glue the last trim piece to the back.

Step 5: Finish

• Sand to 220 grit.
• Apply wood conditioner (if using a wood prone to blotching) and stain.
• After that dries, apply a top coat such as lacquer or polyurethane.
• You can get a SketchUp plan for the printer stand here.