Rustic Cooler Plans

This step by step diy woodworking project is about rustic cooler plans. This detailed article features instructions and complete diagrams about building a beautiful rustic wooden cooler that is ideal for any outdoor party. This project has been designed for large two polystyrene cooler boxes, but you can adjust the dimensions to suit your needs.

Work with good judgement and don’t forget to take a look over the rest of the related plans, as there are many designs and woodworking projects to select from. Work with attention and don’t forget that a good planning will save you from many issues and it will keep the costs within the total budget. Invest in high quality materials, such as pine, redwood or cedar. Drill pocket holes before inserting the galvanized screws, to prevent the wood from splitting. See all my Premium Plans HERE.

Projects made from these plans

Rustic Cooler Plans

Building-a-wooden-cooler

Cut & Shopping Lists

• A – 4 pieces of 1×8 lumber – 16″ long, 4 pieces – 49 1/2″ long POSTS
• B – 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 17 1/2″x49 1/2″ long BOTTOM
• C – 8 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 15 1/4″ long, 4 pieces – 12 1/2″ long, 4 pieces – 46″ long TRIMS
• D – 2 pieces of 2×2 lumber – 15″ long, 1 piece – 25 1/2″ long, 1 piece of 2×3 lumber – 22 1/2″ long, 6 piece of 1×3 lumber – 25 1/2″ long 2xLID

• 4 pieces of 1×8 lumber – 8 ft
• 8 pieces of 1×3 lumber – 8 ft
• 2 piece of 2×2 lumber – 8 ft
• 1 piece of 2×3 lumber – 6 ft
• 1 piece of 3/4″ plywood – 2’x5′
• 2 1/2″ screws
• 1 1/4″ screws
• wood putty, wood stain

Tools

 Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square, Level

 Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander

 Safety Gloves, Safety Glasses

Time

 One day

Related

• Cooler plans 
• Outdoor bar plans

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How to build a wooden cooler

Assembling-the-box

The first step of the project is to build the box frame of the wooden cooler. Cut the components at the right dimensions and dril pocket holes at both ends of the 16″ long slats. Make sure the edges are flush, the corners square and insert 1 1/4″ screws to lock everything together tightly. Add glue to the joints and remove the excess with a damp cloth.

Attaching the bottom

Cut a piece of 3/4″ plywood and attach it to the bottom of the box. Align the edges with attention and insert 1 1/4″ screws, after drilling pilot holes. Add glue to enhance the bond of the joints.

Fitting-the-side-trims

Continue the project by attaching the 1×3 trims to the exterior of the wooden box. Add glue, align the edges and secure the trims into place by inserting 1 1/4″ brad nails. Leave no gaps between the trims, to get a professional result.

Fitting the trims to the faces

Fit 1×3 trims to the front and back faces of the wooden cooler box. Add glue and insert finishing nails to lock everything together tightly.

Building the supports

Build the legs for the cooler box out of 2×6 lumber. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the horizontal components and insert 2 1/2″ screws to lock everything together tightly. Add glue to enhance the bond of the structure.

Fitting the legs

Attach the legs to the back of the rustic cooler box. Drill pilot holes through the legs and insert 2″ screws into the plywood bottom. Add glue to the joints and make sure the legs are perfectly plumb.

Building-the-lid-frame

Build the frame of the lid out of 2×2 lumber and 2×3 lumber. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the 15″ long components and insert 2 1/2″ screws into the perpendicular components.

Attaching the panel slats

Build the panels for the lids out of 1×3 slats. Drill pocket holes at both ends of the slats and secure them to the frame using 1 1/4″ screws. Add glue to the joints.

Attaching the lids

Fit the lids to the top of the cooler box, as described in the diagram. Make sure the edges are flush and secure them into place using appropriate hinges. Install a bottle opener and handles.

Rustic cooler plans

One of the last steps of the woodworking project is to take care of the finishing touches. Therefore, fill the pilot holes with wood putty and smooth the surface with 120-grit sandpaper.

Top Tip: If you want to enhance the look of the project and to protect the wooden garden cooler from decay, we recommend you to cover the components with paint or stain.

This woodworking project was about rustic planter plans free. If you want to see more outdoor plans, we recommend you to check out the rest of our step by step projects. LIKE us on Facebook and Google + to be the first that gets out latest projects and to hep us keep adding free woodworking plans for you.

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