For a 12-by-13-by-24-inch cabinet box with a single center shelf, you need a 2-by-4-foot piece of 3/4-inch birch or other finish-grade plywood and a 12-by-24-inch piece of 1/4-inch plywood. If desired, you can build slab-style or raised-panel cabinet doors separately.
Supplies Needed
Table saw Stacked dado blade set Finish nailer with 1 1/4 inch finish nails Drill-driver Piloting-countersink bit Screwdriver bit Wood glue 2-by-4-foot piece of 3/4-inch finish-grade plywood 1-by-2-foot piece of 1/4-inch finish-grade plywood 2-foot piece of 1x4 lumber 2-inch screws 3-inch screws
Cut the Plywood Pieces
It is best to cut all of the cabinet parts with a table saw. Alternatively, you can use a circular saw, but be sure to use a straightedge guide to ensure straight cuts.
Cut the Cleats
The cabinet will hang with a set of French cleats mounted to the back of the cabinet and the wall. Create the two halves of the set with 1x4 lumber.
Mill the Dadoes and Rabbets
Each cabinet side gets a 3/8-by-3/4-inch dado to receive the shelf and 3/8-by-34-inch rabbets to receive the top and bottom pieces. Along the rear edges, the sides get a 3/8-by-1-inch rabbet to receive the 1/4-inch back panel and the 3/4-inch cleat and nailer.
Assemble the Cabinet
Assemble the cabinet with wood glue, finish nails, and screws. It is best to drive the finish nails with a pneumatic nailer, but you can also drive them by hand with a hammer and nail set.
Mount the Cabinet
Mount the cabinet using the French cleat to carry the weigh of the cabinet, then secure the cabinet in place with screws driven through the bottom nailer.
