How to Build a Wood Chest
A wood chest is a wonderful gift for a loved one, but it is also a practical piece of furniture for your home, a place to store blankets, toys, books and a myriad of items, from treasures to necessities. It is the perfect woodworking project for a beginner as it requires only a few hours of construction and involves some simple tools and assembly.
Materials Needed:
1 – 1x12x8ft. cedar board
1 – 1x4x4ft. cedar board
1 – 3/8” x 2ft. x 2ft. cedar plywood
1 lb of 1 5/8” screws
1 handful of 1 1/4” screws
1 hinge set
2 handles
1 interior lid support bracket
Some wood filler and wood stain*NOTE: Always pre-drill and countersink each hole for a tighter fit. Since you will be using wood filler and a high quality stain on your wood chest, pre-drilling and countersinking provides a smooth finished surface.
Instructions:
Step 1 – Cut the Cedar
Crosscut the 1x12x8ft. piece of wood into three 24” long pieces and two12” long pieces. Then take the 1x4x48” piece and crosscut it into two 24” pieces. Rip one 1x4x24” piece down to a 3” width. Rip and crosscut the plywood into a piece 3/8” x 22 3/4” x 12 3/4".Step 2 – Set the Base
Using a 3/8” Dado blade (set at 3/8” deep with the fence set at 3/8”) cut the Dado slot along the bottom of the front panel (1x12x24”), back panel (1x12x24”) and each side panel (1x12x12”). The bottom plywood panel will fit into these slots.Step 4 – Assemble the Sides
Slide the base into the slots as a dry fit. With each side panel running between the front and the back, attach the chest panels together using three 1 5/8” screws spaced evenly.Step 5 – Assemble the Chest Lid
Attach the 1x3x24” piece along the back of the chest with 1 5/8” screws. Dry fit the remaining 1x12x24” piece to cover the balance of the opening. This piece will be the hinged lid.Step 6 – Cut the Lid Supports
Take the remaining 1x4x24” and crosscut to 9 1/2". Rip that piece into two 3/4" square x 9 1/2" long pieces. Attach these with 1 1/4” screws securely to the underside of the hinged lid 2” in from each side.Step 7 – Hinges and Bracket
Lay your hinges out on the top of the lid, exactly where the rigid supports are (2” in from each side). Attach with the provided screws and as per instructions included with the hinges. Likewise, place the interior lid support bracket on the inside of the side panel and attach as per instructions included with the product.Step 8 – Handles
Place the handles on each side panel at the desired location and attach with provided screws or 1 5/8” screws.Step 9 – The Finishing Touch
Use the wood filler to fill any gaps, holes, or scratches. Sand down the edges for a smooth finish, and give the exterior of your wood chest a few coats of high quality stain or varnish if you wish to create a shiny look. It is recommended that you do not stain the interior of cedar chests since the wood has a naturally pleasant scent that permeates the items stored inside, but some people like to line the interior with fabric or paper. The choice is yours.You can adapt these plans to build larger chests, or you can use another type of wood for an entirely different look and style.
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