Modular Stacking Shelves

Measure the distance from the inside edge of the blade to the edge of your circular saw base that'll ride against the straightedge as you cut.

Mark the desired width of the cut (Project Diagram, Cutting List), allow for the saw base offset, and clamp the straightedge board to the plywood. Double-check where the blade touches the cut line and make the cut.

Sand the panels in the direction of the grain with 180-grit sandpaper. Mark a line 1-1/2 inches from the bottom and 3/4 inch down from the top of the sides and back. Cover these areas with painter’s tape. (Wood glue doesn’t stick well to paint, so masking these strips will allow a better glue bond when you assemble the cases.)

Apply primer to the interior faces of the panels. After that dries, apply two coats of paint. When the paint is dry, remove the tape.

Glue and nail the second side and then the back to the box.

Cut the stiles (the vertical frame pieces) to match the height of the box sides. Glue and nail them to the case so their outside edges are flush with the outside edges of the box. Hold the rails (the horizontal pieces) in place and mark their length. Cut the rails to length.

Sand the assembled boxes and the bifold doors with 180-grit sandpaper and apply the primer and paint. To prevent the outside paint color from getting on the inside of the boxes painted earlier, apply painters tape to the front edge of the plywood bottom.