Secretary Desk Plans

This step by step diy project is about secretary desk plans. If you want to build a simple secretary desk for your home or office, we recommend you to pay attention to the instructions described in the diagram. Adjust the size of the components with great care and lock them together by using waterproof glue and galvanized screws following the instructions.

It is essential to choose the right materials before starting the construction and the assembly of the secretary desk. As you will see in the project, you need to choose durable lumber with a nice appearance, such as pine, cedar or redwood. Make sure the components are in a good visual condition and choose professional tools when adjusting their size. Take accurate measurements and join the components with glue and screws. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Projects made from these plans

Secretary Desk Plans

Building a secretary desk

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 18″x45″ long, 2 pieces – 18″x48″ long, 1 piece – 17 1/4″x45 long, 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 45″x46 1/2″ long FRAME
• B – 4 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 16 1/2″x22 7/8″ long SHELVES
• C – 4 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 4″ long, 2 pieces – 45″ long, 4 pieces – 15″ long BASE
• D – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 44 3/4″x22 5/8″ long, 1 piece – 19 3/4″x22 1/2″ long DOORS
• E – 2 pieces of 1×6 lumber – 15 1/2″ long, 1 piece – 21 7/8″ long, 1 piece of 1×8 lumber – 22 5/8″ long, 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 15 1/2″x20 3/8″ long DRAWERS

• 2 pieces of 3/4″ plywood – 4’x8′
• 1 piece of 1×6 lumber – 8 ft
• 1 piece of 1×8 lumber – 6 ft
• 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 8 ft
• 2 1/2″ screws
• 1 1/4″ screws
• wood putty, wood stain

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

Related

• Part 1: Secretary Desk Plans
• Part 2: Desk Hutch Plans

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Building a secretary desk

Assembling the frame of the desk

The first step of the woodworking project is to build the frame of the secretary desk. As you can easily notice in the diagram, we recommend you to build the components out of 3/4″ plywood.

Drill pocket holes at both ends of the side components and secure them to the horizontal ones by using 1 1/4″ screws. Make sure the edges are flush and the corners square before inserting the screws. Add glue to enhance the bond of the components.

Fitting the back

The next step of the project is to attach the 3/4″ plywood back to the frame, as described in the diagram. Take accurate measurements and fit the component into the frame, after drilling pocket holes along the edges. Make sure the edges are flush and leave no gaps between the components before inserting the 1 1/4″ screws.

Add glue to the joints and make sure the corners are square after inserting each screws. Work with attention for a durable and a professional result.

Installing the partition

Next, fit the partition to the frame of the secretary desk. As you can notice in the diagram, you need to build the component out of 3/4″ plywood and to drill pocket holes at both ends. Fit the partition to the frame and secure it into place using 1 1/4″ screws.

Fitting the shelves

The next step of the project is to fit the shelves to the secretary desk. As you can see in the diagram, you have to build the shelves at the right size using a circular saw. Smooth the cut edges with fine-grit sandpaper and remove the residues with a damp cloth.

Fit the shelves to the structure and secure them to the frame by using galvanized screws. Make sure the corners are right-angled and place a spirit level on top of the shelves to check if they are horizontal.

Fitting the drawer partitions

Next, build the partitions between the drawers and secure them to the frame of the desk, as described above. Place the components equally-spaced and make sure they are horizontal using a spirit level.

Building the base of the desk

Building the base for the desk is a straight forward process, but make sure you follow the instructions described in the diagram. Use a circular saw to adjust the size of the components and drill pocket holes at both ends of the horizontal components.

Align the edges, making sure they are flush and secure them together tightly using 1 1/4″ screws. Check if the corners are square and leave no gaps between the components. Add glue and remove the excess with a damp cloth.

Attaching the base

Drill pocket holes along the face and back supports of the base, on the interior faces. Lay the base to the bottom of the secretary desk and secure it into place by using 1 1/4″ galvanized screws. Add glue to the joints and remove the excess using a damp cloth.

Building the drawers

The next step of the indoor furniture project is to build the drawers. As you can easily notice in the diagram, you have to build the sides for the drawer out of 1×6 lumber and the bottom out of 3/4″ plywood.

Cut the components at the right size and drill pocket holes at both ends of the side components. Make sure the edges are flush and lock the frame together with screws. Drill pocket holes along the edges of the bottom and secure it to the frame using screws and glue.

Attaching the front face

Afterwards, build the front face of the drawer out of 1×8 lumber and secure it to the structure, as described in the diagram. The face should overhang 3/8″ on each side of the drawer. Add glue to the joints and make sure the corners are square.

Fitting the drawers

Fit the drawers into place and lock them to the sides using  furniture slides. It is essential to work with attention, as the face o the drawer must be flush with the surface of the drawer.

Fitting the doors

In order to get the job done in a professional manner, we recommend you to fit doors to the secretary desk. Cut the components at the right size out of 3/4″ plywood and smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper.

Use appropriate furniture hinges to lock the door into place. Leave about 1/8″ around the door and make sure they open and close properly. Make adjustments until the edges are perfectly flush.

Secretary desk plans

One of the last steps of the woodworking project is to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, fill the pilot holes with wood putty and smooth the surface with 120-grit sandpaper.

Top Tip: In order to protect the lumber from water damage, we recommend you to cover the components with several coats of paint. Place the wooden desk in a proper location and move it whenever necessary.

This woodworking project was about secretary desk plans. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects. LIKE us and share our projects on Facebook and other social networks to be the first that gets our latest plans and to help us continue adding free plans to the site. Send us pictures with your plans.

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