How To Make a Pulpit

The simple lectern-style pulpit complements a simple altar.

For most denominations, a pulpit can be a simple affair without the trappings of affluence. For this reason, a simple lectern-style pulpit made from one sheet of plywood and a toe kick is sufficient. With some woodworking skills, a table saw and some hand tools, you can build this pulpit.

Things You'll Need

• Table saw
• Band saw or jig saw
• 3 pieces oak plywood 40 by 20 by 3/4 inches
• 1 pieces oak plywood 18 1/2 by 20 inches--- book rest
• 1 piece oak plywood 17 1/2 by 19 1/2 inches---bottom
• 2 pieces oak trim 1/4 by 3/4 inches
• 1 piece oak 3/4 by 3 by 96 inches
• 5 strap clamps
• 1 bar clamp
• Wood glue
• 12 wood screws 1/14 inches
• 8 wood screws 3 1/2 inches
• 30 brads 3/4 inch

Instructions

1. Measure 2 1/2 inches in from the top of one of the leg jambs and make a mark. On the opposite side of the leg jamb, make a mark 3 inches down from the top. Draw a line connecting both marks. You should have a 10-degree slope across the top of the leg jamb, starting 2/12 inches in from the front. Turn the jambs back to back aligned and wrap masking tape around them several times. Cut the angle on both of them at the same time using a band saw.

2. Cut a 45-degree miter along the front sides of both leg jambs and the front with the table saw. Put a 3/4-inch dado blade on the saw and run a 3/8-by-3/4-inch dado along the inside bottom of the front and inside both leg jambs. Screw a 3/4-by-3/4-by-16-inch screw cleat 2 inches down from the 10-degree angle on both jambs for the book rest to attach. Set the saw to a 10-degree angle and cut the leading edge of the book rest at that angle with the regular blade.

3. Spread glue along the mitered edges of all three pieces. Stand them up using masking tape to secure them. Lay in the book rest on top of the screw; circle the pulpit with a strap clamp and tighten around the shelf. Put another strap clap below the shelf. Lay the pulpit, face down, on two sawhorses. Glue and nail the bottom into the dado using 1 1/4-inch nails. Put on two more strap clamps.

4. Take off the clamps after an hour. Reach under and screw on the book rest. Cut, glue and nail on the 3/4-by-1/4-inch oak fascia along the back of the leg jambs and up over the top using 3/4-inch brads, covering all the raw plywood edges of the pulpit.

5. Cut three pieces of the 3-by-3/4 oak lumber at 18 1/2 inches. Nail them together, standing up to form three sides of a square. Cut one piece at 17 inches and inset it 3 inches. Nail it in place for the toe kick. Drill through the frame vertically and screw it to the bottom of the pulpit for the base. Hand-sand the entire pulpit with a hand block, using 100-grit sandpaper. Then stain and lacquer.

Tips & Warnings

• All measurements are approximate. Measure parts as you go.

References

• Tony's Woodshop: How-Am I Going to Make Pulpit
• Podiums: This Wood Pulpit

Resources

• "Illustrated Cabinetmaking"; Bill Hylton; 2008