Small wooden box - ideal for beginners - fun to make!

The corner joinery presents an achievable challenge for students keen to practice their hand skills.

Material list

4 @ 90mm x 120mm x 15

2 @ 120mm x 120mm x 3ply

Dowel 2 @ 6mm x 20mm

Small box with simple corner joinery 3.pdf
Download

Step 1: Mark Out Your Material

Write your name on the front.

Mark 15 mm margin in from left and right sides

Mark a centre line horizontally

Transfer all marks to all edges and the back.

Hatch the waste material on all sides

Step 2: Use Saw to Remove Waste

Hold your material in a bench vice

Saw the short line first, then the long one.

Step 3: Make Small Adjustments

Use a file to make small adjustments to your joinery.

All sides should be the same height, or level

Step 4: Sand Inside Faces

Sand the inside faces of your box.

Leave your name on the outside face.

Step 5: Glue Corners and Clamp

Use a brush and a dish of glue.

Carefully cover each corner surface that will touch another corner surface with glue.

Clamp the sides into a square and sit flat to dry.

Step 6: Glue on Base

Sand your base edge as flat as you can
Glue your base on and gently clamp.

Your name should be on the base facing out

Step 7: Drill Holes in Top Edge

Mark half way along two opposite top edges (60mm)
Also mark the centre of the material thickness (7mm)
Secure your box to the drill press.
Drill down 30mm, mark this depth using tape on your 6.5mm drill bit.

(I am using 6mm dowel and a 6.5mm drill bit)

Step 8: Glue on Lid

Again use the sanding boards to make sure the top edges are all flat.
Cover top edge with glue and clamp lid in place.

This will give you a sealed box, with your name on the bottom.

Step 9: Smooth All Sides

Step 10: Separate Box Lid

Use the band saw to remove top 15 - 20 mm

Sand the newly sawn edges smooth

Step 11: Insert Dowel

Sand the top of your dowel round so it looks neat.

Glue the dowel into the hole.

The dowel will act as a lid locator and make sure the lid fits neatly in place.