A wood box has a lot of utility and comes in handy for storage. If you are new to woodworking, making a wood box is the easiest project you can begin with. All that is needed are the right tools and the appropriate materials, such as wood and nails. For those who are more skilled at woodworking, a wood box can also be a work of art by carving different designs on it or making a fancy lid.
Gather the Materials
Before making a wood box, consider the dimensions of the finished product. Picture it mentally and draft it on paper to get an idea of its depth, height and width. Then you can gather the materials that will be required to build a box to those specifications.
Decide on the thickness of the wood that will be used for the box. A sheet of 3/4-inch-thick plywood will make for a strong box. You may need multiple boards, depending on the size of the box you are building. Other materials needed are wood glue and some nails. Tools that will be required are a table saw, framing square, measuring tape, a pencil, hammer and 100-grit wood sandpaper.
Make the Cuts
Start off by sawing the plywood into pieces that conform to the size required for the box being constructed. A total of six boards will be cut to make the wood box. There will be four pieces used for the side panels. The other two will be used as the base and lid of the box.
Carefully measure each piece to mark the correct height and width before making the cut. The standard rule of thumb is to measure twice and cut once, which prevents one from accidentally cutting the board to the wrong size. Use a table saw or circular saw to make the cuts; use sandpaper to smooth away any splintered edges.
Assemble the Box
Run a bead of wood glue along one edge of the base board and affix one of the side panels to it. Use a wood clamp to hold the boards together while the glue dries. While the boards are clamps, either nail or screw the boards together for added strength.
When the glue is dry, remove the wood clamps and apply a bead of glue to the next, adjacent edge of the base board. Also apply glue to the corresponding edge of the side panel that is in place. This allows the next panel to be glued to the base and the existing side. Again, use wood clamps to hold the boards in place and either nail or screw the boards for added strength.
Continue this process until all of the sides have been attached to the base and to each other. The final board is for the lid and can either sit loosely on top of the box or be attached using hinges.
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