Cynthia, the base is 6mm thick, bookmatched panel. It doesn't have to be bookmatched though. The side can be thicknessed down to 2mm on a thickness planer, drum sander or even a bandsaw but the band saw method you will have to clean up one side with a hand plane. If you use a thickness planer you use a base board underneath the band as a thickness planer won't plane down to 2mm. And if you have access the drum sander method is the best. The band is attached to the 6mm base by drilling 2.5mm holes and inserting a shaved tapered dowel or just use a round head brass pin nail but in the case of a pin nail only pre-drill the wrap around band. You can also simplify it by not doing the shaker styling on the band.