Dockmate corner storage box how to#

Use a clamp to hold the slat aligned with the top and sides of the frame while you nail it into place. Make sure you use waterproof wood glue like Titebond III, or your box will start to come apart after the first rainstorm! It should be flush with the outside edges of the frame.Īpply wood glue on both ends where it will come into contact with the frame. Mark the exact width of the top slat from underneath with a pencil, then cut it to fit. I stood the frame upright to make it easier to work on. Start with the short ends of the storage box first. Those rough fence pickets clean up nice! I picked out the best ones to be installed on the front and left side of the storage box where they'll be seen from the street. I ripped them down to size on the table saw, using a Grr-ripper to hold those small pieces tight against the fence. The pattern I used has 5' strips on the top and bottom, with two 2' strips in the middle. Next, cut the pieces to the desired width. I went one step further and used my jointer and thickness planer to flatten the boards and reveal the gorgeous grain underneath. Sand down all the boards to remove the rough, splintered surface. I just stack them up and chop 'em all at the same time! You'll be trimming them all to fit later, but the shorter lengths are easier to handle. I've used this pattern in lots of other outdoor projects (like the umbrella stand side table below), and it's become my signature look!Ĭut the cedar fence pickets to roughly the length of the sides of the box. You'll just have one narrow strip in the middle instead of two. If you don't have a table saw to rip these boards to the different widths, you can buy 5 ½' and 3 ½' fence pickets to get a similar look. I've unearthed some beautiful cedar from those giant stacks! Dig through the pile to find the best pieces with minimal knots and flaws. They're an inexpensive way to enclose a box or space (like underneath deck stairs) with weather-resistant lumber. I love using cedar fence pickets for projects like this. It's much easier to reach all those tricky spots when it's open like this! I used leftover Ready Seal stain in Natural Cedar from when I stained our deck last year. I recommend staining the frame now, instead of waiting until the entire storage box is assembled. I sanded a bevel on all four legs to prevent the corners from splintering in case the box is pushed across the rough concrete porch. Then flip it over and screw the other side in place. Don't forget to check for square as you go!Īttach the connecting pieces to one side of the frame.

These narrow 2x2's can be a little tricky!īuild the identical front and back frame pieces first, using waterproof wood glue and 2 ½' pocket hole screws. Make sure the pocket hole jig is centered, so you don't end up drilling off the side of the board.

We discovered that we usually sit on the steps instead of the bench, so I went with 2x2's because they're lighter and cheaper!ĭrill pocket holes in the ends of the boards. If you're planning to use this storage box as a bench, you might want to switch to 2x4's so it can support more weight. Build the frameĬut all the 2x2 pieces according to the cut list in the plans.

Dockmate corner storage box how to#

No excuses! How to Make an Outdoor Storage Box Download the woodworking plansĬlick on the box below to get the woodworking plans for this project! The plans have all the dimensions you need, plus step by step instructions with clear illustrations to help you along the way. 1 ¼' exterior pocket hole screws (for the lid)ĭon't forget your safety gear when woodworking! Here are my recommendations for safety glasses and ear protection.Learn more about the Kreg K5 and R3 here.You could also use just one 1x8 board and a 1圆 board instead, but that's what I had on hand.Materials needed for diy outdoor storage box Please visit my disclosures page for more information. Purchases made through these links may earn me a small commission at no additional cost to you. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Here's how to build your own outdoor storage box! The matching set really brings the whole front porch together and looks so much better! This porch box is an elongated version of the planter box I recently made for the same space. They're just so handy, especially to hide away all those toys! One of my first big woodworking projects was this outdoor storage bench for our front porch.īut after years in the wet Seattle winters, the paint was peeling and the trim was falling apart! Not exactly the curb appeal I was going for.īut the lid was made of solid cedar, so I took the time to strip the paint and bring it back to natural wood so I could stain it for my new project. I seem to have a thing for storage boxes and benches. Hide clutter and package deliveries inside this DIY outdoor storage box! Get the woodworking plans for this project and get building!