DIY Woodworking Project: Storage Box
There are lots of DIY woodworking projects that are perfect for beginners and do not require sophisticated tools. The following is a step-by-step guide on how to create a storage box. This DIY storage box is easy to make and takes only a little of your time. It only needs everyday simple tools. Click HERE to learn more.
Materials needed:
- Choice of wood
- PVA glue
- Tape
- Pencil
- Screws, pins
- Two hinges
- Clamps
Tools needed:
- Skill saw, hand saw or mitre saw
- Jigsaw (tool used to cut angles)
- Hand sander with different grit levels
- Cordless drills
- Glue roller
- Set Square
- Biscuit Joiner with number 10 biscuits
1. Choose the wood
The box can be made out of any wood. The type of wood to be used depends on how the storage box would be used. It can be made from cheap materials like soft wood, MDF board and plywood. If it needs to be more durable, it can be made from hard wood like maple, cherry, mahogany and walnut.
2. Determine the size
Determine the size of the storage box. Cut the wood according to your desired size. Use the skill saw, hand saw or miter saw to cut the wood. In marking the lines, use the long set square. These lines will be used as a guide in using the biscuit joiner.
3. Attach the Biscuit Joiners
Work on a flat surface while attaching the biscuit joiners. Working on uneven surfaces may cause the joints to mismatch.
Choose the joiner height. Set the blade depth to the center of the biscuit. Do not glue or attach any joiner unless everything has been set in place. It is a better idea to do a dry assembly first. After the dry assembly has been done, you may now attach the parts together. Use a glue roller to apply the PVA or wood glue generously and evenly. Make sure to use a damp cloth to wipe any excess glue.
Use the clamps to pull the parts together.
4. Support Angles
The support angles play a crucial role in the integrity of the storage box. It is important to perform this step carefully.
Cut the support angles using a saw. It is important to keep away any screw or metal part from the part of the blade.
After cutting the timber, screw together two (2) screws to support the cut timber. You should be able to make four (4) support angles. After successfully cutting and attaching the two timbers together, sand the angles down. An angle end may also be cut to add an aesthetic design.
5. Making the lid
The next step in making this DIY woodworking project is to make the box lid. There are various box lid designs to choose from. It can be a plain solid one. If you are a little tight on the budget, you can also piece together planks or old pieces of wood together to create it into a patchwork type of box lid. If you have a knack for wood carving, you can carve a design on to the lid. The design is entirely up to the maker.
After making the lid, attach joint biscuits. These biscuits should be placed close to each other since the lid will be used a lot.
Do not forget to attach the hinges.
6. Check the shape and integrity of the box
Place clamps around the box to insure its square shape. If you do not have these clamps, a ratchet strap around the box will do. This will secure the box while the glue sets in. Screws and nails can also be used to ratify and reinforce the box.
7. Glue the box base
After the glue gets dried, the box base may now be glued on the box. Just like in attaching the other parts, use a glue roller to apply the glue generously and evenly. Use a damp cloth to remove the excess glue. Aside from the box base, support strips may also be attached around the box. Nails and screws can also be used.
Some have improvised the design by also making the box base as some sort of a detachable lid as well.
8. Sanding and other aesthetic designs
Once the glue dries up, the box can be sanded. It can also be painted according to the needs of the user.
DIY woodworking projects are one of the many activities that one can do to improve the aesthetics of a house or office. A storage box is a great way to organize your things.
