It's no surprise that wooden boxes are one of the most popular pieces made by novice carpenters. Simple, yet elegant, with a basic construction, yet easy to personalize, wooden boxes can have a decorative function or be based on merit alone. If you've never made a wooden box, start by making a wooden box with a hinged lid or sliding lid before trying more difficult techniques.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making a Wooden Box with Hinge Caps
Step 1. Choose your wood
You can use recycled wood from previous work, planks from dismantled pallets, or you can buy and cut new wood. Think about the intended use of the box you are going to make.
For example, if you're making a jewelry box, consider using thin strips of cedar, ash, or oak. You'll find it easier to make boxes with thinner pieces of wood. Save the large pieces of wood for a larger box. It will also reduce your work on smoothing the wood
Step 2. Gather the ingredients
Keep all your basic tools in your workspace. If you use a power tool, make sure you have access close to a power outlet. At the very least, you'll need a ruler, hammer, nails, wood glue or putty, and of course, your wood plank.
If you use power tools, use them with care and always wear eye protection
Step 3. Measure and mark your board
First, you will have to decide on the size of your box. That is, you will have to determine how long, wide, and tall your box is. Then, mark that size on your piece of wood with a ruler and pencil.
If you are making a box for the specific purpose of placing a particular item, make sure it is the right size for the item to fit in your box
Step 4. Cut the wooden planks if they are not already to size
Use a hand saw or a cutting machine to cut the board to the specified size. Keep in mind that you will need four boards for the sides, one for the base of the box, and one for the cover of your box.
Power tools can make your job easier, but they are not mandatory. You can easily make a box using a screwdriver, angle ruler, hand saw, and hammer
Step 5. Assemble the side pieces with the support joint technique
Connect the sides at right angles using glue on the joints to secure them. At this point, your box should look like a square with no cover or base. Next, attach nails, screws or fixing rods with a hammer or drill.
- You can use clamps to clamp the sides together as you drill nails or screws into your box.
- If you are using a fixing rod, drill a hole through one side to the other. Use a stick to pierce the sides in an “L” shape. Once the sides are attached, cut the bars so they are level with the side surfaces.
Step 6. Glue the sides to the bottom of the box
Make sure these sides fit snugly around the base of the box, depending on the design you're making. Use glue to attach the base and sides. Attach finishing nails, wood screws, or fixing rods with a hammer or drill.
Allow your box to dry completely before closing or using it
Step 7. Attach the hinged lid to the box
Place the cover on the box so that the lid and sides of the box are even, then measure and mark where you want to attach the hinges. Let the hinge joints protrude from the back of your box and secure them to the sides and covers with a drill or hammer.
- When you place the hinges, it is very important that you measure them with your elbow on the lid and sides of the box. Otherwise, the cover will not be able to close or open properly.
- You can use clamps to secure the lid and sides of the box as you measure and attach the hinges to make things easier.
Step 8. Fill in the nail holes
Use wood putty and a putty knife to fill the nail holes. Allow the putty to dry completely before you sand the surface to make it smooth.
Filling the putty and sanding your box will give your work a professional feel. Feel free to omit this step if you don't want to add a decorative aspect
Method 2 of 2: Making a Wooden Box with a Sliding Cover
Step 1. Choose your wood
You can use recycled wood from your previous work, planks from dismantled pallets, or you can buy and cut new wood. Think about the intended use of the box you are going to make.
For example, if you're making a jewelry box, consider using thin strips of cedar, ash, or oak. You'll find it easier to make boxes with thinner pieces of wood. Save the large pieces of wood for a larger box. It will also reduce your work on smoothing the wood
Step 2. Gather the ingredients
Keep all your basic tools in your workspace. If you use a power tool, make sure you have access close to a power outlet. At the very least, you'll need a ruler, hammer, nails, wood glue or putty, and of course, your wood plank.
If you use power tools, use them with care and always wear eye protection
Step 3. Measure and mark your board
First, you will have to decide on the size of your box. That is, you will have to determine how long, wide, and tall your box is. Keep in mind that you will also be calculating the groove section and your cover will have to be smaller in order to slide into it. Then, mark the measurements on your board with a ruler and pencil.
If you are making a box for the specific purpose of placing a particular item, measure the item to make sure it fits in your box
Step 4. Cut your wooden planks if they are not already to size
Use a hand saw or cutting machine to cut the board to the specified size. Keep in mind that you will need four boards for the sides, one for the base of the box, and one for the cover of your box.
Power tools can make your job easier, but they are not required. You can easily make your box using a screwdriver, angle ruler, hand saw, and hammer
Step 5. Cut grooves on the sides of the box
Use a cutting table or router saw with a pointer to cut a horizontal groove on the inside near the top of the box. The box grooves must be 3mm deep along the top fill for the box cover to slide in. Make sure you cut the same groove size on all three sides of the box.
Step 6. Cut the front of your box
First, take one of the sides that you have grooved and measure from the top, where the cover will be attached, to the bottom of the groove you have cut. Use the same distance to cut a horizontal straight line along the front of your box.
After this point, you will be able to try to slide the cover into the groove through the front of the box if you clamp the sides of your box
Step 7. Assemble the side pieces with the support joint technique
Make sure the grooves are facing the inside. Connect the sides at right angles using glue on the joints to secure them. At this point, your box should look like a square with no cover or base. Next, attach nails, screws or fixing rods with a hammer or drill.
- You can use clamps to clamp the sides together as you drill nails or screw in your box.
- If you are using a fixing rod, drill a hole through one side to the other. Use a stick to pierce the sides in an “L” shape. Once the sides are attached, cut the bars so they are level with the side surfaces.
Step 8. Glue the sides to the bottom of the box
Make sure these sides fit snugly around the base of the box, depending on the design you're making. Use glue to attach the base and sides. Attach finishing nails, wood screws, or fixing rods with a hammer or drill.
Allow the box to dry completely before you close or use it
Step 9. Cut a groove for the cover
If you want your lid to be flush with the sides of the box, use a saw to cut grooves on the sides of the box cover except for the front side of the box cover. Slide the cover into the groove from the top of the box.
For example, if the grooves on the inside of the box are made 3mm from the top and are 3mm deep, you'd cut the top edge of your cover 3mm from the edge
Step 10. Fill in the nail holes
Use wood putty and a putty knife to fill the nail holes. Allow the putty to dry completely before you sand the surface to make it smooth.
