How to Construct a Wooden Chest

Wooden chests come in all sizes.

Whether they hold toys, blankets or out-of-season clothes, wooden chests make ideal storage places that double as attractive pieces of furniture. The construction of a wooden chest can be as simple or complex as you want depending on the types of details you add. While some chests have flat, unadorned sides, others are ornately carved and decorated. The basic construction of the chest remains the same regardless of decorations. You can build the chest out of whatever type of wood you want, using either new or old lumber. Old lumber that's still in workable condition can help give your chest a more antique feel.

Things You'll Need

• 1-by-12 inch board (8-foot length)
• 3/8-inch plywood (2-by-2 feet)
• 1-by-4 inch board (4-foot length)
• Tape measure
• Table saw
• Drill with counter sink bit
• Router with dado bit
• Clamps
• 1-5/8 inch wood screws (1/2 pound bag)
• 2 hinges
• Internal lid support
• Wood filler
• Handles
• Sandpaper
• Stain

Instructions

1. Measure and cut the panels to size. On the 1-by-12 inch board, measure out three 24-inch sections (for the front, back, top) and two 12-inch sections (for the sides). Cut the plywood panel down to 22 ¾ inches by 12 ¾ inches (for the bottom). Cut down the 1-by-4 inch board to 24 inches long by 3 inches wide. Cut the remnant of the 1-by-4 inch board down to a 9 ½ inch length, then create two 1-by-1 inch rods (for lid supports).

2. Lay the front, back and side panels flat. Place a 3/8-inch dado blade into the router and set up a fence (guide) that will allow you to cut a groove 3/8 of an inch from the bottom edge of each panel. You can use extra pieces of wood clamped in place as a fence, or purchase one. Cut the dado grooves into the four panels.

3. Assemble the body of the chest. Slip the bottom panel into the dado grooves and clamp the upright panels into place. Predrill three holes into each joint (the side panels will be sandwiched between the others, so drill through the front and back panels) and screw the body together.

4. Attach the 1-by-3 board to the back edge of the box. Predrill the holes and screw it into the tops of the side and back panels.

5. Turn the top panel over and attach the support rods to the underside. The rods should be flush with the back edge of the lid and set 2 inches in from the sides. Predril the holes then screw them into place. Place the lid in position and attach it to the chest with two hinges.

6. Install an internal lid support mechanism as per manufacturer instructions. Fill in all of the drill holes with wood filler and sand the chest smooth. If you're applying a stain, stain only the outside edges of the chest and the underside of the lid. To make the chest easier to move around, attach a pair of handles to the sides.

Tips & Warnings

• A table saw with dado bit can be used in place of a router, but the resulting groove might not be as exact as one done with a router.

References

• Wayne of the Woods: Free Cedar Chest Plans
• New Woodworker: How to Cut Dados