A Beginner's Guide to Building a Wooden Keepsake Box

This easy woodworking project perfect for a beginner to make. It also makes a nice Christmas gift for children to make for their parents. The box in the picture is one I made for my mother when I was ten years old. It still works 30 years later. Any child can make this woodworking project with a little help from an adult. This is what you need and how to do it.

Materials needed
1 X 6 pine board 24 inches long
1 X 3 pine board 24 inches long
(2) 1/4 wood dowel 1 inch long
water based wood glue
(16) 1 inch finishing nails
wood putty
wood stain

Tools needed
hand saw
drill with a 1/4 inch drill bit
hammer
wood plane
sand paper
paint brush
rag
speed square
pencil
ruler

Instructions
On the 1 X 6 measure with a ruler 10 inches from each end. Mark with a pencil. Use the speed square and pencil to draw a straight line at each mark. With the hand saw cut each line. These will be the bottom and the lid pieces.

The remaining 4 inch piece of 1 X 6 will be cut into the hinges. A simple way to make them would be to cut it into two triangles. If you look at the pitchers you can see another idea. To do this cut the 1 X 6 into one inch strips. Carefully use a hand saw to cut out the shape you want.

Measure with a ruler and mark the 1 X 3 eight inches from each end. Use your speed square and pencil to draw a straight line at each mark. Cut these lines with a hand saw. On the leftover piece of 1 X 3 measure with a ruler 3 1/2 inches from each end. Draw a straight line on these marks with a pencil and speed square. Cut these lines with a hand saw. Now you have the four sides, top, bottom and two hinges for the wooden box.

Use a wood plane to shape the edges of the lid and the bottom pieces. Hold the wood plane at about a 45* angle. Try to make all the edges the same. Use sand paper to smooth all rough edges. Sand everything now.

Use a hammer to nail the sides together. The short pieces of wood will be on the inside of the long ones. Two nails will be used on each side. A good tip for this step would be to place the boards together before nailing so you get a good idea of what the finished product will be. The sides once they are put together will measure 8 X 5 inches.

Center the bottom piece over the sides. Double check the placement. With a hammer drive four nails through the bottom and into the sides.

Flip the box over. Pick a side that will be the rear. Use sandpaper to round the rear edge. This needs to be done so that the lid will open. Place the lid on top. Center it over the box sides. Use a pencil to mark the box sides on the bottom of the lid. This will determine the hinge location. Flip the lid over and use wood glue to tack the hinges into place. Let the glue dry then place the lid onto the box to make sure everything fits.

Use a drill that is equipped with a 1/4 inch drill bit to drill holes through the hinges and into the read box side. To do this hold the lid on the wooden box. Drill through both the hinges and the back side at the same time. This will make sure that the holes line up together.

Fill all the nail holes with wood putty. Let the putty dry. Sand everything one last time. Make sure that everything is perfect. Use a rag to clean the wood. Use wood stain to color the box. Let the stain dry completely.

Place the lid back on the sides. Line up the holes. Gently tap the dowel's into place. Open and close the lid a few times to make sure it works. An optional idea would be to glue a picture on the boxes lid.