Projects
Build a Kids Storage Box
Project Overview
Parents will appreciate the ingeniousness of this double-duty storage unit/chalkboard. Besides stashing toys, the unit lets kids' imaginations run wild in a litter-free, paperless way. Chalkboard paint makes it a snap to turn any surface into a doodling board. Note: This unit is NOT designed to be freestanding. It must be placed against a structure or fence.
10 Steps
- Begin by cutting
- Assemble the body
- Prime and paint
- Prime the exterior of the box
- Use tongue and groove
- To make the cedar surround for the upper panel
- To make the cap for the top edge of the box
- Use tongue and groove
- To finish the lid
- Fill all nail holes with wood filler
Step 1
Begin by cutting
the pieces that will make up the body of the box from two 4' x 8'sheets of ¾" plywood. One 48" x 68" back; one 18-1/2" x 48" base; one 19-1/4" x 48" face; two 18-1/2" x 19-1/4" sides. To make a hinge support cut a cedar 2" x 4" to a length of 46".
Step 3
Prime and paint
the bun feet with a light sanding between coats; then, to install them, drill a ¼" centering hole 2-1/2" from the front or back and side in each corner. Attach from inside the box with three 1-1/2" woodscrews.
Step 4
Prime the exterior of the box
then paint the face and upper panel with Rust-oleum black chalkboard paint; sand lightly between coats.
Step 5
Use tongue and groove
cedar to line the inside of the box. Attach with glue and ¾" 18-gauge brad nails.
Step 6
To make the cedar surround for the upper panel
rip three 8' cedar 2" x 4" to 2". On the cut face dado a ¾" channel 1-3/8" deep, 5/8" from the 2" front edge. Use a trim router with a ¼" round-over bit to finish the front edge. Next cut the two side caps at 68" and remove the 5/8" tongue from the bottom 19-1/4" of each cap where it fits along the edge of the box. With the third piece cut the top cap at 69-1/4" and remove the front and back tongues from 2" on either end to fit between two side rails and cap the corners. Glue and pin the surround using 1-1/4" 18-gauge brad nails.
Step 7
To make the cap for the top edge of the box
rip an 8' 2 x 4 to 2-1/2" and centre a 1" dado ¾" deep. Notch the side caps to fit over the 2 x 4 hinge support and mitre the corners to fit the front cap. Glue and pin the cap using 1-1/4" 18-gauge brad nails. Next rip a 2 x 4 from 1-1/2" to ¾" and cut to 45" to cap the back hinge support. Install by gluing and countersinking 1-1/2" #8 woodscrews. To complete the cap cut a piece of 1" x 4" cedar to 45" and install on the upper face using glue and 1" 18-gauge brad nails.
Step 8
Use tongue and groove
cedar to finish the sides and upper face of the box. Glue and pin using ¾" 18-gauge brad nails. To finish the corners cut 1" x 4" cedar to 3/8" thick and rip to 1-3/8" for the front edge and 2" for along the base. To complete the front base rip 1 x 4 cedar to 2" and install on the sides and bottom using glue and brad nails.
Step 9
To finish the lid
rip a piece of 1 x 4 cedar to ¾" and attach to the edge with glue and brad nails. Complete the lid surface by installing 1 x 4 cedar ripped to 2" and insert tongue and groove panels.
Step 10
Fill all nail holes with wood filler
sand and apply clear-coat to all surfaces. Install safety hinges (inside box) to finish.
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