Large Sewing Box

I wanted a box to store my modelmaking tools. Couldn’t find what I was looking for. Decided to make it myself.

Pros:

Lots of space

Sturdy

I think it looks nice

Cons:

Heavy

I used 10mm thick plywood.

These are the dimensions for all pieces needed. See attached text file for totals. In millimeters.

• The four foldable drawers
• (x4) Base 220x150
• (x8) Side 220x70
• (x8) Front and back 150x80
• (x2) Hatch 150x240
• Bottom
• (x1) Base 450x220
• (x2) Side 220x80
• (x4) Front and back 160x90
• Bottom middle, small compartment
• (x1) Base 150x220
• (x2) Side 220x80
• (x1) Middle partition 130x80
• (x2) Hatch 130x90
• Top middle, deep compartment
• (x2) Side 220x150
• (x2) Front and back 150x160
• (x1) Handle 150x70
• Lid consisting of:
• (x2) “Main lid” 150x115
• (x2) “Bottom” ~130x95
• Support arms
• (x8) Short 20x120
• (x4) Long 20x220
• Feet (optional)
• (x8) 50x50 (two per feet)

Wood glue

Nails

Screws (x28) I used partial thread screws

Hinges (x8) and screws/nails if not included.

Knobs (x6)

Side handles (x2)

Primer

Paint

Think about what you want to put in the box. For me the inside depth of the drawers were important, the foldable drawers are approx. 7cm high on the inside and the bottom ones 8cm. This gives me enough room for my paint bottles and most other items to stand upright. And even taller items can go in the approx. 15cm deep middle compartment as well as other bits and pieces.

I cut all required pieces.

When marking off the required widths dont mark them all at the same time, do one at a time and then cut. When sawing you always lose a tiny bit and your marks won’t be correct anymore.

I used a T-square and ofcourse a measuring device.

Then cleaned them up with a file and some sandpaper 120 grit.

Glue the side pieces on top of the base. I used a square piece of wood and a clamp to position it straight and put another clamp to secure it, and let it dry 1,5-2 hours. Repeat for both sides.

I put some nails from the bottom on the side pieces for extra security.

Glue the front and back pieces. I didn’t put nails this time (esthetics).

I marked the base as to where the pieces will go.

Then I first glued the two sides on either far ends, similarily as the previous drawers.

In the meantime I started assembling the middle compartment. Same thing again but with a partition in the middle (optional). This will go upside down on the base, glued, and nailed from the top.

Again I put nails from the bottom aswell.

Then I glued the four front and then back pieces on.

I glued on the sides on top of the lower compartment installed in the previous step. And then the front and back.

In hindsight I probably would have done this after painting but this also worked out in the end.

I installed the hatches for the small compartments,

[update jan 2024: If you want drawers instead, skip the hinges and proceed with this in step 7]

I used small hinges, and put them on the bottom of the box. I lined them up 2cm from the corners, put small holes on where the nails go with an awl and secured them.

I also glued on the knobs, that I made myself because I was 2 knobs short. Two pieces of approx. 1,5cm spare sticks glued together and gave it some rounding with a file. I was fine with that because the knobs I had were a bit too large for them I think.

Then I made the feet, also improvised. Two 5x5cm glued together. Gave it some rounding with a file and glued them onto the box.

I decided to convert the hatches of the bottom compartments into drawers.

We need 5 additional pieces of wood, of which I used two thinner pieces for the sides (2mm)

Bottom: 10 cm x 11,5 cm

Inside front: 6,5 cm x 11,5 cm

Back: 6,5cm x 11,5 cm

Sides (x2): 7,5 cm x 10 cm

Now i’m making a handle. I cut the corners 1x2cm so it can slot in, and with a holesaw I drilled two holes either side at a distance of approx. 2cm from the edges, in the middle.

With a jigsaw I got the curvature in there. If I didn’t have a jigsaw at my disposal I probably would have used a small handsaw to cut out the inside (no curve)

Cleaned it up with a file and sandpaper.

Now I marked off the middle of the top of the box. This is where I glued the handle on and let this dry. On the side of the box I also put two nails in, either side.

Then I used sandpaper 400 grit on the entire box with the drawers on.

Then I assembled the lids for the deep compartment. Measure out the inside space to be sure where the bottom piece has to sit to have it fit correctly. It shouldn’t sit too tight either.

I attached the knobs, I had ones that screw on so I drilled a hole in the middle. The screw was too long so I had to cut off a portion. Put them on. I think I could have just glued them perfectly fine aswell.

Now it is time to put the drawers together in a way that fit best, once I was happy I marked onto the box where the drill holes go for the support arms.

Do this concentrated, I put my lines wrong the first time.

Then I attached the knobs on the pieces for the top covers.

Again, I probably would have rather done the hinges after painting, but I did it now.

Lined up the hinges 2cm from the corners and screwed them on. For these I used slightly bigger hinges than for the smaller lower covers.

I marked the support arms and drilled the holes. I used the first one as a ‘template’, this way the distances will match.

I rounded the ends of the support arms with a file (optional)

Then I also drilled the holes onto the drawers. I already marked those previously.

(Its possible to skip this part) Then I went for a test run, attached the arms. Loosen the screws a bit so it’s not too tight.

Everything good and functional!? When you’re happy, detach it again so we can get on to painting.

I primed everything 2 coats and then painted. I went for a anthracite grey color.

Now I attach the side handles on the top drawers, centered.

And now to put it all together. Again loosen the screws a bit so it folds nicely.

At first I wanted something like a magnet to hold the small doors but it ended up sitting fine so I didn’t.

Done!