Build a CD Cabinet Using an Old Ammunition Box

Old wooden crates and boxes make wonderful cabinets and shelves. I found an old ammunition box in the garage and built a cabinet to store my CDs. I built a base so the box could stand on end without toppling over and added shelves to accommodate the size of the CDs. That, along with a little paint and an unused poster, created a beautiful piece of furniture for my living room.

1-by-2, scraps
Measuring tape
Pencil
Miter saw
Wood glue
Clamps
Staple gun
1/4-inch thick plywood, scraps
Jigsaw
Hammer and nails
Drill and wood screws, optional
Paneling, scraps
CD case
Paint
Paint brush
Poster
Scissors
Mod Podge

1 Cut two lengths of 1-by-2, 10-inches long and two lengths, 17-inches long. With the each board standing on a long edge, miter cut the ends at a 45 degree angle. Fit the corners together to form a rectangular frame. Apply wood glue to the cut edges of the corners, clamp and staple together. Allow the glue to dry and remove the clamps.

2 Cut a 10-inch wide by 17-inch long rectangle from 1/4-inch thick plywood. Place the plywood on top of the frame and match the edges. Nail the plywood to the frame. This is the base and the plywood is the top.

3 Stand the ammunition box on end. Determine which end will be the top. Turn it over so the bottom is up. Turn the base upside down. Center the box between the 10-inch side edges of the base. Match the back of the box with one 17-inch edge. The 17-inch edge on the front and the 10-inch side edges will overhang a few inches. Attach the base to the bottom of the box using nails or wood screws.

4 Turn the box over, setting it on the base. Cut four rectangles, 5 1/2-inches wide by 10 1/2-inches long, from 1/4-inch thick plywood. These are the shelves of the CD cabinet. Cut eight strips from paneling, 1/2-inch wide by 5 1/2-inches long. These are the holders for the shelves.

5 Use a CD case as a guide. Measure down from the inside top of the cabinet, the CD case length, plus a 1/2-inch and mark both sides, inside the cabinet. Place one shelf holder strip, horizontal at the mark, on one side. Staple or nail the strip to secure. Repeat on the other side at the mark. Apply wood glue along the top horizontal edge of the strips. Lay a shelf on the strips.

6 Measure down from the bottom of the first shelf in the same way and add another shelf. Repeat with each shelf. Note: The bottom shelf will be taller than the others. I use it for movie cases.

7 Paint the entire cabinet and base, inside and out. Repeat with additional coats for complete coverage.

8 Cut an image or images from an old poster. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the images. Position the images, as desired, on the front of the cabinet. Smooth the images with your hands to remove bubbles and wrinkles. Apply Mod Podge over the entire front of the cabinet to seal the images. Allow the Mod Podge to dry.