DIY Plans to Build a Hadley Cabinet

A Quick and Easy Storage Cabinet to Build

Need a nice furniture piece with lots of storage that is easy to build? This may be the perfect plan! The DIY plans to build a Hadley Cabinet feature ten drawers and five center shelves. Even through the upper two drawer fronts are shorter than the others, the drawer boxes are all the same size. This plan requires no special skills and can easily be completed in a weekend!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• 1-1/4″ screws
• Edge banding, optional (<– affiliate link!)
• 4 – 4″ Bun feet and mounting plates
• 10 sets of 16″ Drawer slides (<– affiliate link!)
• Cabinet pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

The 1×2 pieces can be cut from the plywood, if desired!

• 1 – 1×2 at 4′
• 2 – 1×2 at 8′
• 7 – 1×6 at 8′
• 1 – 4′ x 4′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
• 2 – 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 4 – 3/4″ plywood at 18″ x 36-1/2″ – Sides & Dividers
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 18″ x 40″ – Bottom
• 4 – 3/4″ plywood 12″ x 18″ – Shelves
• 2 – 1×2 (or 3/4″ plywood) at 12″ – Center Stretchers
• 14 – 1×2 (or 3/4″ plywood) at 12-1/2″ – Front & Back Stretchers
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 37″ x 39-1/4″ – Back
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 18-3/4″ x 41″ – Top
• 10 – 3/4″ plywood at 10″ x 14-1/2″ – Drawer Box Bottoms
• 20 – 1×6 at 14-1/2″- Drawer Box Sides
• 20 – 1×6 at 11-1/2″ – Drawer Box Front & Back
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 5-3/4″ x 12-1/4″ – Upper Drawer Fronts
• 8 – 3/4″ plywood at 6-1/4″ x 12-1/4″ – Drawer Fronts

Click on the drawings for a larger view!

Step One

Edge banding will applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly.

Cut the pieces for the bottom, the sides, and the dividers. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in the lower edge of each divider piece. Secure the dividers to the bottom using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the shelves and the center stretchers. Drill pocket holes in each 18″ edge of the shelves, as well as each shorter end of the stretchers. Secure the stretchers and the shelves to the dividers using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the side front and back stretchers, and drill pocket holes in each end. Secure the stretchers to the sides and dividers using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the back. Secure the back using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails. The top edge will be flush with the top edge of the back stretchers.

Step Five

Cut the piece for the top. The sides and front will overhang by 1/2″, and the back will overhang by 1/4″ covering the top edge of the back piece. Secure the top using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Six

Install the mounting plates for the bun feet according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Install the bun feet.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the bottom as well as each end of the sides. Assemble the drawer boxes as shown using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions, locating them ¾” back from the front edge of the sides and dividers. I have a great tutorial on how to install drawer slides! Make any necessary adjustments.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening – there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides – then drive screws through the holes for the drawer pulls into the drawer box. Open the drawer, and secure the drawer front using countersunk 1-1/4” screws from the inside. Remove the screws from the holes for the drawer pull then finish drilling the holes. Install the drawer pull. This tutorial on installing drawer fronts should make things easier!

Finish as desired.

The DIY plans to build a Hadley Cabinet are an excellent choice for those new to woodworking. The plans are simple, and easy to follow! The finished cabinet can be used in a variety of rooms, and can be finished many different ways. I think it would look great as storage in a dining room or bathroom! Have any questions about the plans? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2015-02-02 08:00:24.