How to Build a Wooden Dog Box
Wooden dog boxes provide shelter for a dog when it is outdoors. Some dogs like to be outside even when the weather is not good. A wooden dog box will give the dog refuge from even the harshest weather. Although you can purchase wooden dog boxes, you can make them using materials that you may have around the house. The advantage to making your own dog box is that you can make it to the appropriate size of your pet.
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Three 3/4-by-24-by-24-inch plywood panels
- Three 3/4-by-24-by-36-inch plywood panels
- Straight edge
- Table saw
- Flexible curve ruler
- Jigsaw
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Wood finish
- 1 1/4-inch coated wood screws
- Screw gun
- 24-by-24-inch sheet of roofing tin
- 1/2-inch roofing nails
- Hammer
Instructions
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1
Measure up 24 inches on one side of two of the 3/4-by-24-by-36-inch plywood panels. Mark that measurement with a pencil. Use a straight edge to draw a straight line from that mark to the top corner of each panel.
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2
Cut the along the two lines with a table saw. These are the two sides of the dog box. The front edge of the side measures 36 inches. The back side measures 24 inches.
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3
Position the remaining 3/4-by-24-by-36-inch plywood panel on the work surface. Use a flexible curve ruler and pencil to draw a curved opening. This will be the entrance on the front of the dog box. Use a jigsaw to cut along the line to cut out the entrance.
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4
Sand all of the dog box parts using 120-grit sandpaper. Apply a wood finish of your choice to all of the dog box parts. Allow the wood finish to completely dry before handling any of the parts.
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5
Position one 3/4-by-24-by-36-inch plywood panel on the work surface. This is the bottom of the dog box. Place the sides on opposing sides of the bottom. Place the back on the back side of the bottom. Place the front on the front side of the bottom. Fasten the sides, back (3/4-by-24-by-24-inch plywood panel) and front of the dog box to the bottom with 1 1/4-inch coated deck screws. Fasten the sides to the back and front of the dog box in the same manner. Space the screws approximately every three inches.
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6
Align the remaining 3/4-by-24-by-24-inch plywood panel on top of the box. This is the roof. The edges should be flush with the sides, front, and back. Use 1 1/4-inch coated deck screws to fasten the roof to the box. Place the tin sheet on top of the roof. Align the sheet with the edges of the roof. It should be flush with the edges. Fasten the tin sheet to the roof with roofing nails. Space the nails every 6 to 8 inches along the perimeter and throughout inside of the box in rows 6 to 8 inches apart.
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Tips & Warnings
Place a sign outside the box with the dog's name to add a personal touch to the box.
Wear eye protection when woodworking.
Follow tool precautions for safe use.
Read and follow wood finish instructions carefully for safe use.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Vaida from Fotolia.com
