How to Build a Wooden Chest

Wooden chests are a wonderful project that can range from simple jewelry boxes to elaborate cedar hope chests. They all have two things in common: patience and attention to accuracy.A basic wooden chest makes a great small toy box or keepsake box for children. Youngsters can also do this project, with adult supervision. The finished chest will be a rectangular box, 3 feet long and 12 inches tall.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood boards
• Top-mounting hinges
• Hammer
• 1 inch finishing nails or screws
• Sandpaper (coarse and fine)
• 3/8 inch drill bit
• Stain (optional)
• Brush (optional)
• Rags (optional)
• 1/2 inch rope (optional)

1. Select the wood you would like to use. Pine is usually the least expensive and both sands and stains well. For a little extra design, look for boards with grain, knot holes, or other decorative characteristics. The boards you buy will be standard 12 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Two 8 foot long boards are suggested to keep wood waste to a minimum.

2. Cut four boards each 36 inches in length.

3. Cut two square end boards, measuring 12 inches on each side. If you want to add rope handles to the box, drill two 3/8 inch holes 5 inches apart, centered in the square. You will later be putting the rope through these holes.

4. Sand each board’s edges to smooth and remove any rough cut edges so the board will sit flush against another board.

5. Sand each of the boards first with the coarse grade sand paper to remove any roughness. Then sand them with fine sandpaper for a smoother finish.

6. Attach both square end boards. Take one long board and both square end boards, and nail or screw the squares to the edge of the long board. Before nailing, check to make sure that the edges are flush.

7. Nail or screw the two other long boards to the square end boards. You should now have a 3-sided box. Secure the long boards to each other using 2 to 3 nails screws evenly spaced along the length of the board.

8. Place the last long board, which is the top of the chest, on top of the box. Position it until it is flush with all edges.

9. Take one hinge and place it 12 inches from the left edge and nail or screw it in place on the top and side boards. Do the same with the second hinge, placing it 12 inches from the right edge. Check to see that the lid opens and closes freely. Adjust hinges as needed.

10. Stain the chest (optional). Using the stain of your choice, lightly brush on the stain on the wood. The longer you leave it on, the darker the color will be. Wipe it off with a rag and repeat until you achieve the desired color. Let it dry for 24 hours.

11. Add rope handles (optional). Cut two 12 inch lengths of rope. Knot one end. Pull it through one of the holes, then loop it and thread it back through the other hole. Knot it at that end. Repeat this on the other side.

Tips & Warnings

• For a smoother look, sand with the wood grain. For a rougher look, sand against the wood grain.
• If you stain your chest, do it in a well-ventilated area.