Because they stack, it’s possible for you to easily move or rearrange them.
Best of all, you could build seven 12-inch-square plywood boxes from a single 4x8-foot sheet.
For a more colorful accent, paint the entire box.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Or you’re free to accent the birch plywood with walnut plugs and veneer.
You’ll likely need several hours to build and finish seven boxes.
Before you begin, assemble materials and prepare your work area.
Then run with this to learn how to make DIY modular boxes.
For the tops and bottoms of the boxes, set the table saw fence to rip 12 inches wide.
you’re free to also use a portablecircular sawand clamped straightedge for a guide.
Rip Wide Lengths
Rip two 12-inch-wide lengths from the 4x8 plywood sheet.
Then rip two pieces 10-1/2 inches wide (or to your measurements) from the remaining stock.
Keep it about 1/8 inch from the fence to avoid binding.
Use some scrap plywood to make a test cut.
With the framing square, check the test piece.
Adjust the setup if necessary.
Crosscut Lengths
Set the table saw blade and auxiliary fence to get a 12-inch-wide cut.
Crosscut all the plywood lengths.
You should end up with 14 pieces measuring 12x12 inches and 14 at 10-1/2x12 inches.
Use it to hold the four sides square to each other while gluing and clamping.
Be sure to assemble the pieces correctly.
Measure the inside of the clamped box.
Bore 1-1/2-inch holes with a spade bit in a drill about 1 inch in from two adjacent edges.
These holes will accommodate the clamp heads.
Make any needed adjustments before the glue dries.
Be sure the nails enter the wood squarely.
A finishing option: Use screws and plugs.
Fill the holes with wood putty or filler.
When dry, sand them flush.
Sand all filled edges smooth and lightly sand the box surfaces.
Remove sanding dust with a tack cloth.
Prime and Paint Boxes
Apply acoat of primerto the box (except unfilled edges).
Then sand lightly again.
Touch up any blemishes, then paint on one or two finish coats of semigloss enamel.
Add Finishing Touches
Add ash veneer tape to the unfilled edges when the paint is dry.
Miter-cut the corners of the tape.
Accent boxes with walnut plugs, if desired.
Then apply walnut instead of ash veneer tape and coat with a clear finish.
