How to Build a Glass Top Box

Boxes with glass tops are useful to display sentimental items or artwork. Building a box with a glass top requires do-it-yourself skills for woodworking and cabinet making.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of 2-by-9-by-3/4-inch lumber
• Drill press
• 3/16-inch drill bit
• Wood glue
• 2 pieces of 2-by-5-by-3/4-inch lumber
• 2 bar clamps, 18 inches long
• Variable speed drill
• Philips head screw tip
• 2 1/4-inch drywall screws
• Damp cloth
• 2 pieces of 1-by-8-by-9-inch lumber
• 3 pieces of 1-by-8-by-7 1/2-inch lumber
• 1/16-inch drill bit
• 1 small box of 4-penny finish nails
• Hammer
• Small paintbrush
• 1/2-inch rabbet bit
• Router
• Chisel
• Clear acrylic adhesive
• 1 piece of 6-by-6-by-1/8-inch glass
• Hinges
• Latch

Instructions

Prepping the Glass Top Frame

1. Stand the two pieces of 2-by-9-by-3/4-inch lumber up on their 3/4-inch edges on a worktable. Measure from left end and make marks on the 3/4-inch edge at 1/2 and 1 1/2 inches. Repeat this from the right end.

2. Drill pilot holes all the way through at each mark with the 3/16-inch drill bit. Drill countersink holes in the same place as the pilot holes about 1/2-inch deep.

3. Apply glue to the ends of the 5-inch pieces. Set them between the two 9-inch pieces, making them even with the ends of the 9-inch pieces. Place a bar clamp over the frame so it can clamp the 9-inch pieces to the 5-inch pieces. Tighten the clamps until they are snug.

4. Insert a 2 1/4-inch drywall screw into the holes and secure the pieces together. Clean up as much of the excess glue as you can with a damp cloth without disturbing the clamps. Allow the glue to dry.

Assemble the Box and Finish the Glass Top

1. Put the 1-by-8-by-9-inch lumber on the worktable along with two of the 1-by-8-by-7 1/2-inch pieces. Draw a line 3/8-inch from one long edge and two ends of the 9-inch piece and just one edge of the 7 1/2-inch piece. Drill pilot holes on these lines with the 1/16-inch drill bit. Drill one in the corners of the 9-inch piece where the lines intersect and two more evenly spaced between them. On the 7 1/2-inch edge, drill one hole 1-inch from the ends of the lines and one midway between them.

2. Run a bead of glue on the edges of the 7 1/2-inch pieces across from each other, but not the edge with the pilot holes. Set these two pieces between the 9-inch pieces on either end. Secure them with the finish nails.

3. Brush some glue on the four edges of the remaining 1-by-8-by-7 1/2-inch lumber with a small paintbrush. This is the bottom of the box. Set it inside the frame and secure it with the finish nails. Clean up the excess glue with a damp cloth.

4. Remove the clamps from the 9-by-9-inch top frame. Remove any glue that was left behind with a thin putty knife. Next, install the 1/2-inch rabbet bit in the router. Set the depth of the bit at 1/4-inch. Rout the inside of the 9-by-9-inch top.

5. Square the round corners left by the bit with a chisel. Apply clear acrylic adhesive inside the rabbet cut and push the glass in place. After the adhesive dries, install the hinges and latch according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to put a piece of scrap wood on the drill press table to keep the drill bit from hitting the metal table.

• Set the nail heads with a nail set and fill the hole with putty if desired.

• Do not leave power tools unattended or within reach of children.

• Do not apply a finish to the box without proper ventilation.

References

• Renovation Headquarters: How to Make Glass Cabinet Doors
• AZ Woodman: Build Your Own Box Woodworking Plans

Resources

• HGTV: How to Build a Glass Top Recessed Coffee Table