DESK BUDDY: WORK FROM HOME ACCESSORY

The Desk Buddy was a request from a friend for a work-from-home 'helper' for her laptop and monitor.

- Chris Knight

Tools

There are a 101 ways to do just about everything, and it's impossible to cover all possible combinations of tools.

Here is a list of what I used:

• Table saw

• Tracksaw (circular saw with a track)

• Jigsaw

• Drill press

• 54mm forstner bit, though smaller will work too depending on how many cables you want to route!

• 35mm forstner bit

• Router table

• Router

• Router bits

• Flush Trim Bit

• Straight bit or rebate bit (preferably)

• Biscuit Jointer/Domino (Both optional)

This was built entirely from scrap 9mm and 18mm plywood. As such, there isn't really a cut list or best-case optimisation - I was entirely using what I had on hand. That is why the drawer front had a different veneer (before paint), and that is why the drawer is from 18mm rather than 12mm material!

A note on joinery... The joints are 'reinforced' with dominoes, but in truth that was just to stop them sliding around during glue up. I used 4mm dominoes, but any size biscuit will do the same job.

It's plywood - butt joined plywood is plenty strong Rebates/rabbets... The rebates on the backside of the cabinet, and for the drawer bottom are 6mm wide, 9mm deep (to match the 9mm plywood). Don't overthink this. Wood movement isn't an issue, nor is strength in this application I simply didn't have anything thinner on hand.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Cabinet 

As all parts for the cabinet will be 300mm wide, cut a piece of plywood down to that size at the table saw.