Homemade Camp Chuck Box
The camp chuck box serves as storage for food and utensils at a camp site. Think of the chuck box as a mobile set of kitchen cupboards. Obviously no one will travel with chuck boxes as large and spacious as the cupboards and pantry of a normal home. Because space is obviously limited, some campers will design the chuck box to fit the utensils they commonly use. However, the chuck box design of the Boy Scouts of America is a good basic plan that can be followed exactly or modified as needed.
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Things You'll Need
- 3/4-inch plywood
- 1 1/4-inch deck screws
- Power saw
- Screwdriver
- Hinges
- Screen door hooks
Instructions
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1
Cut the wood pieces of the camp chuck box. A chuck box 30 inches high by 15 inches deep and 24 inches wide can be cut from a single piece of 3/4-inch plywood.
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2
Assemble the box, starting with the exterior perimeter. Use two or three 1 1/4-inch screws to fasten each piece in place. Fasten the back in place with screws every 6 to 8 inches around the perimeter. Cut four 1-by-2-inch boards to 14 inches and fasten them to the interior of the box as supports for the shelves. Place the shelves in place and fasten down with two or three screws at each end of each shelf.
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3
Place the front on the chuck box. The front of the chuck box can be hinged on the bottom, which provides a work surface in front of the chuck box, or at the top, which allows the door to be swung out of the way.
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4
Paint the camp chuck box, using exterior paints. Attach latches to hold the front panel in place when it is closed. These are often screen door hooks attached to the door with the eye attached to the exterior of the chuck box. Attach handles to make carrying easier.
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Tips & Warnings
For stability, the heaviest items should be stored on the lowest shelf. Size that shelf to accommodate the heaviest utensil or supply the camper routinely carries.
Rope handles contribute to a rustic look for a camp chuck box. Drill two 1/2-inch holes about 6 inches apart on each side of the box. Thread rope through the holes and tie knots on the inside.
