This step by step woodworking project is about wood tool box plans. Building a wooden box to store your tools is a great idea, as you will find them easier and keep them organized. In addition, if you use our plans and follow the step by step instructions, you can get the job done in just a few hour without having to spend a significant amount of money. Don’t forget that a proper planing will prevent many costly mistakes, so take your time in the preliminary steps.
Building a basic wood tool box require just basic woodworking skills, such as cutting the boards, drilling pilot holes and inserting screws. In addition, you should consider adding wood glue to the edges of the components, if you want to enhance the bond of the joints. Make sure the components are properly aligned at both ends, before driving in the screws. See all my Premium Plans HERE.
Projects made from these plans
Cut & Shopping Lists
- A – 2 pieces of 1×8 lumber 12 1/4” long ENDS
- B – 1 piece of 1×8 lumber – 14 long BOTTOM
- C – 4 pieces of 1×8 lumber 14” long SIDE
- D – 2 pieces of 1×4 lumber – 5 1/4”, 2 piece – 13 3/4”, 1 piece 1/4” plywood – 5 1/4 x 12 1/4” DRAWER
- E – 1 pieces of 1/4” plywood – 6×14”, 1 pieces of 1×4 – 14” long SHELF
- F – 1 piece of 1 1/4” closet rod – 14” long HANDLE
Tools
Hammer, Tape measure, Framing square
Miter saw, Drill machinery, Screwdriver, Sander
Time
One hour
Building a carpenter’s tool box
Wooden tool box plans
Building a tool box can be done in several manner, but in this article we show you basic plans that can be follow by anyone. In order to get a durable box, we recommend you to use quality lumber, such as redwood, cedar or pine.
Top Tip: Align all the components at both ends and check if the edges are flush. Use 1 1/4” wood screws or finish nails. Plan everything for the very beginning and work with great care and attention.
Wood Tool Box Plans
Building the frame of the tool box
The first step of the project is to build the front and back ends of the box and to attach them to the bottom component. In order to get and accurate result, you should use a miter saw or a circular saw.
Top Tip: Drill pilot holes trough the ends of the tool box and apply glue to the edges of the bottom components, before inserting the 1 1/4” wood screws or finish nails.
Attaching the side of the tool box
Next, cut a 14” long piece of 1×8 lumber and fit it between the wooden ends of the tool box. As you can see in the image, you should drill pilot holes trough the front and back faces and drive in 1 1/4” screws.
Top Tip: Make sure the ends of the component are flush with the ends of the box. In addition, apply wood glue to the edges, to enhance the bond of the joints.
Building the drawer
The next step of the project is to build the drawer for the wood tool box. As you can see in the plans, the drawer is made out of 1×4 lumber and a piece of 1/4” plywood. In order to get a rigid structure, you need to drill pilot holes trough the front and back components and drive in 1 1/4” screws.
Top Tip: Check if the corners are right-angled before attaching the bottom between the walls of the drawer.
Installing the tool box’s shelf
Check if the drawer fits into place before building the shelf of the toolbox. In order to get the job done quickly and to keep the weight of the box in normal parameters, you should build the shelf out of 1/4” plywood.
Top Tip: Leave about 1/4” between the drawer and the shelf, otherwise it won’t slide easily. Attach the small piece of 1×4 lumber to the frame, as in the plans.
Installing the handle
Afterwards, build the handle and to install it into place. As you should notice in the image, the easiest way the get the job done, without affecting the look of the wood box, is to use a 1 1/4” closet rod. Cut the wooden rod to 14” with a saw.
Leave about 1/4” from the top of the components to the handle and try to center it properly. Drill pilot holes, add glue and insert 1 1/4” screws to secure the handle into place.
Tool box plans
Last but not least, you have to take care of the final touches. Therefore, we recommend you to check if the screws are inserted properly (the head of the screws should be level with the wooden surface) and if the box is rigid. Smooth the edges with fine-grit sandpaper.
Top Tip: If you want to enhance the look of the tool box, you should cover the wooden surfaces with several coats of paint or stain.
This woodworking project was about wood tool box plans. If you want to see more outdoor projects, we recommend you to check out the rest of the plans.
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1 comment
The cut list does not match the instructions (Calling for 1/2″ plywood when the directions use only 1/4″ plywood), and Section C is completely irrelevant, calling for lengths of 2×2 lumber used nowhere in the build. The plan also doesn’t indicate how to make the latch pictured for the drawer(though it’s pretty straightforward).
Site Mods should review the plan/cut list and make appropriate changes to avoid confusing people.
Per the directions, your materials and cut list should look like:
1 8ft 1×8, 2 pcs cut at 12 1/4″, 2pcs 14″ long
1 8ft 1×4, 2 pcs cut at 5 1/4″, 2 pcs cut at 13 3/4″, 1 pc cut at 14″
1 sheet 1/4 plywood, 1 pc cut to 5 1/4″ x 12 1/4″, 1 pc cut to 6×14″
1 piece of 1 1/4” closet rod/doweling – 14” long
Other than the sloppiness in the prep-work, it’s a fairly straightforward looking build. Will be trying it as a gift for my father’s birthday.