How to Make a Boy's Wooden Toy Box

Cutting the Wood

• 1

  Cut the 3/4" x 2' x 4' hardwood plywood in half with a circular saw to form two squares.

• 2

  Cut each of these squares in half to produce four rectangles. Three of the rectangles will be the front, back and top of the toy box. Cut the fourth rectangle in half to create the left and right sides of the box.

• 3

  Cut the 3/8" x 2' x 2' plywood panel to 23 ½̶1; by 12 ¾̶1;. This is the bottom of the box.

• 4

  Cut dado slots along the bottom edges of the front, back and side panels. Create the slots by setting the blade and the fence on the router to 3/8̶1;.

Assembling the Toy Box

• 5

  Run a bead of wood glue in the dado slots on the side panels and fit the bottom panel into the slots. Pre-drill four holes at each corner of the box and screw in 1 5/8̶1; screws to hold the box together.

• 6

  Attach the piece of hardwood to the top of the box by positioning it along the back edge on top of the box. Pre-drill holes along the edges and screw in 1 5/8̶1; screws until the piece of wood is secure.

• 7

  Lay the top piece of hardwood plywood on the top of the box and line it up with the piece of hardwood. Place two hinges on the wood and position them so they are an equal distance from the sides of the box. Mark the screw holes with a pencil. Remove the hinges and pre-drill holes at the pencil marks. Attach the hinges with screws.

• 8

  Attach a support bracket to the inside lid of the box. This will prevent the boys fingers from getting crushed when the lid closes.

• 9

  Fill the screw holes with wood putty and sand the box to remove marks and blemishes. Varnish or paint the box and let it dry. Screw handles on the sides of the box.