How to Make a Small Brass-Hinged Box

Wrap your box to give as a present.

Crafting a small brass-hinged box is creative way to make a decorative impression. You can make use of a small hinged box when giving a gift, for example, or collecting precious items. Making the box yourself also provides a personal, homemade touch. Indeed, a completed homemade box will make you proud to present your craft as a gift or display it on a mantle or table for all to see.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Measuring tape
• Jigsaw
• Six pieces of 1-by-4-by-4-inch cedar wood
• 120-grit sandpaper
• 1 1/2-inch nails (12)
• Hammer
• Two brass hinges, 1 inch
• Nontoxic wood stain
• Synthetic fiber brush
• Drill with a crosshead bit
• 3/8-inch screws (4 to 8)

Instructions

1. Slide on a pair of work gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask to protect your skin, eyes and lungs.

2. Stand one of the squares on one of its 1-inch edges. Draw a 45-degree line from the bottom left corner to the top edge. Draw a 45-degree line from the bottom right corner to the top edge. Cut the left and right edges to scale with the jigsaw. Repeat this step for three remaining squares. Four of the squares now have two respective 45-degree-angled edges.

3. Sand all six squares smooth with 120-grit sandpaper.

4. Fit the four 45-degree-angled pieces together to form the sides of a three-dimensional box. Bond the edges together using eight 1 1/2-inch nails and a hammer. Evenly space and insert two nails into each edge.

5. Hammer one of the remaining 4-by-4-inch pieces to the bottom of the box with the remaining four 1 1/2-inch nails. The box is now complete – minus the lid.

6. Stain the box and the lid with nontoxic wood stain. Allow the box and lid to dry in a well-ventilated area for 24 hours before moving on.

7. Drill the lid to the top of the box with two evenly spaced 1-inch brass hinges using 3/8-inch screws. Employ four to eight screws, in total, depending on the combined needs of each hinge.

References

• Lumber Jocks; Making a Small Wooden Box
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Build Your Own Vermicomposting Box

Resources

• Fine Wood Working; "Making a Wooden Hinge for a Box"; Derek Cohen; June 6, 2009