How to Build a Cedar Chest

Cedar chests are great for storing items like clothing and blankets. The cedar not only acts as a repellant from moths, it also is a quality wood that wears well over time. You can build your own cedar chest and pass it from generation to generation.

Things You'll Need

• Lumber
• Wood glue
• Clamps
• Countersink bit
• Drill
• Screws
• Nylon rope
• Matches or lighter
• Chain
• Hammer
• Hardwood plugs
• Hinges
• Sandpaper
• Finishing products

Instructions

1. Purchase the lumber. A quick way to build a cedar chest is to use cedar decking and pre-cut cedar boards that have been planed. Get three pieces of 1" x 6" cedar decking that are 28 ½" long. Buy four cedar boards that are 1" x 8" and 16 ½" long and four boards that are 1" x 8" and 30" long. Make the lid from two pieces of lumber that are 1" x 10" and 31" long. You need two pieces of lumber that are 1" x 2" and 14" long.

2. Assemble the bottom of the box. Use the three pieces of decking that are 28 ½" long. Lay the three boards next to each other with the long sides touching. Glue these boards together and clamp them while they dry. After the glue has dried, removed the clamps and make sure that the boards are secured to each other.

3. Make the sides of the chest. To make the short sides of the box you need to glue two of the 16 ½" long boards together for each side. Take two pieces per side of the lumber that is 30" long to make the long sides of the chest. Clamp and allow each side to dry before continuing.

4. Attach the sides to each other. Use a countersink drill bit and drill where you want the screws to go. Make sure that the screw heads are recessed. Attach the short side to the edge of the long sides so that the short side is on the outside of both long sides. Do this on the other side as well. You should now have a basic box.

5. Insert the base of the box. Use six screws per side on the short side of the box to secure the base of the chest to the sides. The base should sit inside the box and the screws should be about ½" inch from the bottom of the chest.

6. Make the lid. Layer the two cedar boards that are 31" long. Glue them together and allow them to dry. Now use the 14" long strips of wood to support the lid. Place the strips equal distance from short edge of the lid and attach by screwing four screws into each piece. Connect the hinges to the back rim of the chest and to the inside of the lid.

7. Add extra pieces to the chest. Install rope handles on the short sides of the box by drilling two ½" holes per side. Thread the rope through the holes, tie knots on the inside of the chest and cauterize the edges to prevent fraying. Connect the chain to the lid and to the inside of the box. Hammer the wood plugs into the hole to cover the screw heads.

8. Finish the chest. Use a variety of sandpaper to smooth the exterior of the box. Brush the dust off the box and then apply the finish for the wood. Purchase beeswax, wood finish and polyurethane. Once the finish is dry you are ready to pack your chest.

Tips & Warnings

• You can change the dimensions of the lumber to make different size cedar chests.

• You can use pine as part of the lumber to save money.