How to Build Podiums From Wood
- 1). Build the base by gluing two pieces of the plywood together. Miter all of the ends of all the 3/4-inch lumber at 45 degrees. Glue and wrap the base with it, leaving a 1 1/2-inch reveal at the bottom. Clamp with the bar clamps and let dry for an hour.
- 2). Glue the legs. Make four separate stacks of the 42-inch-by-1-inch lumber, three pieces each with glue. Then clamp all four stacks together and let dry for an hour. Trim each leg to 3 inches wide and trim one end square. Set the saw blade at 10 degrees and miter the top of two of the legs at 36 inches to the longest point of the miter. Cut the other two legs at 39 inches to the longest point of the miter. Sand the legs.
- 3). Measure in 1 inch from the sides and 1 inch from the back and front of the base. Draw a 1-inch perimeter on the inside of the top of the base. Screw the legs to the base on these inside corners using 3-inch screws in their respective corners with the long points of the miters facing forward.
- 4). Center a piece of plywood on top the top of the legs. It should have a 10-degree tilt facing to the back. Glue and screw it down to the top of the legs. Spread glue on it. Then place the top piece on and clamp it down.
- 5). Miter all four ends of the 1/4-inch lumber pieces at 45 degrees. Glue and wrap the bookrest with them. Clamp and let dry for an hour. Glue and clamp the 3/8-by-1/2-by-22-inch piece for the bookstop on top on the back edge of the bookrest.
- 6). Sand lightly, and then apply stain and lacquer.
