Things You'll Need:
- Large wooden planks (1 foot wide by 8 feet long, and at least 1 inch thick) Wood screws (1inch, 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch) Blocks cut from 2-by-4-inch boards Paint Steel hinges Drill Saw
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Step 1
Cut four sections of plank at the same size (around 2 feet). These will comprise the bottom, top and front and back of the box. The other two sides need to be cut slightly shorter so that the box is not a perfect square. I recommend using dark wood, which gives the chest a menacing look.
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Step 2
Cut several small blocks from pieces of 2-by-4-inch boards. Use these blocks to secure the various pieces of the box to one another. Begin by attaching a side to the bottom piece. Simply screw the block to an edge of the bottom plank (screw from the bottom of the box up into the block). Now place the side against the block and screw them together.
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Step 3
Continue blocking until all four sides are attached to the bottom of the chest. To further secure the chest, cut a few more blocks and place them along the inside corners near the top of the box. Screw them together from both directions. Do the same for all four corners.
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Step 4
Attach the top of the chest using two small metal hinges placed on the inside back edge. Use small wood screws (3/4 inch) to attach the hinges. Technically, your treasure chest could be finished at this point, but it will look much more authentic if you decorate it.
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Step 5
Paint cracks on the chest to give the impression of old boards. Many old pirate chests had steel straps running around them. Paint two straps wrapping around the top, front, back and bottom. Then paint two more extending around the front, two sides and back. Finally, all pirate treasure chests need a skull and crossbones painted on the top.
