DIY Chests

Chests have always had an allure about them, whether they are small trinket chests or larger chests; they simply beg the question "what's inside?" Chests also make great pieces of furniture if they are large enough -- from a coffee table with a difference to storage-cum-seat at the end of a bed or under a window. Do-it-yourself devotees and woodworking buffs alike will jump at the chance to make a DIY chest. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Cut the cedar into two side panels 18 by 36 inches, two side panels of 18 by 24 inches, a base of 22 by 34 inches and a lid of 24 by 36 inches. Use the miter box to cut the ends of all the side panels to an angle (miter them) of 45 degrees, and then sand all the chest components.

2

Arrange the side panels into a rectangle with the mitered ends forming the corners. Apply carpenter's glue to the corner joints, and let them dry in corner clamps for about two hours. Hammer in six finishing nails through each side of the corner joints to secure the joint, staggering the position of the nails on each side of the corners.

3

Insert the base into the rectangle, and push it down flat on the bottom. If need be, rasp the base sides a little to make the base fit snugly. The base should be flush with the work surface and the bottom of the side panels. Secure in place with finishing nails around the perimeter of the bottom into the base piece.

4

Varnish or stain the chest as well as the lid, and leave to dry. Position the two decorative hinges -- brass or copper is a good combination for a cedar chest -- on one of the 36-inch sides of the lid, around six inches in from either end. Secure the hinges in place with screws. Choose brass or copper-colored screws to match the hinges and other decorative elements.

5

Center the lid over the top of the chest, and attach the remaining hinge portion to the back of the chest with screws. On the middle of the other side of the lid, attach the decorative lid clasp. On the middle of the smaller sides of the chest, around four inches from the top, attach the decorative handles.

6

Position a decorative corner on the top and bottom of each corner of the chest, and secure in place with screws to finish the DIY chest.