Kreg Tool
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Oversized outdoor lantern

By Charleston Crafted
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Kreg Academy Kreg Academy

Want to light up the night in your backyard entertaining space? These oversized outdoor lanterns are a great way to add ambience to your evenings outside.

Difficulty easy

Tools

Kreg Tools

Materials

Wood Products

  • 3 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 8' boards
  • 1 3/4" plywood board
  • 1 1" thick dowel , 10" long

Hardware & Supplies

  • 32 1 1/4" Kreg pocket hole screws
  • 1 Wood Glue
  • 8 1/4" Kreg dowels
  • 1 Paint or stain
  • 2 Battery powered light sources
See All Tools & Materials

Cut List & Parts

  • 4 Posts , 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 36"
  • 4 Top/Bottom , 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 12"
  • 4 Sides , 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 12"
  • 1 Bottom , 3/4" x 17 1/2" x 12"
  • 1 Lid , 3/4" x 19" x 13 1/2"
  • 1 Lid Support , 3/4" x 16 1/2" x 11"
  • 1 Top , 3/4" x 13 1/2" x 8"
  • 4 Dowels , 1" x 2"
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See Full Cut List & Parts

Directions

  • Build Face Frames

    - Drill two pocket holes in each end of the Top/Bottom pieces.
    - Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach one Top/Bottom Piece between two Posts at the top and one at the bottom.
    - Repeat to create a second frame.

    Step 1

  • Attach Sides

    - Drill two pocket holes in each end of the Side pieces.
    - Flip one face frame on its front.
    - Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach one Side piece to the four corners of each of the frame with the pocket holes all facing inward.

    Step 2

  • Attach Bottom

    - Drill two pocket holes on each side of the Bottom, evenly spaced on the edges.
    - Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach the Bottom between the two Sides and the Top/Bottom along the bottom edge of the frame.

    Step 3

  • Attach Second Face

    - Flip the second face frame over onto its front.
    - Apply wood glue to the exposed ends of the Sides and edge of the Bottom and then flip it over onto the other face frame.
    - Use pocket hole screws to attach the body together.

    Step 4

  • Start Lid

    - Using wood glue and a couple of nails (or not if you just want to clamp), attach the Lid Support to the underside of the Lid.
    - It should be about 1 1/4" from each edge of the Lid.

    Step 5

  • Attach Dowels to Top

    - Using wood glue and 1/4" dowels (nails), attach the Dowels to one side of the Top.
    -- Drill a 1/4" hole on each end of the Dowels, then insert a 1/4" dowel inside the hole.
    -- Drill a corresponding hole on the Top 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" from each corner.
    -- Insert the dowels.

    Step 6

  • Finish Top

    - Insert 1/4" dowels into the Dowel pieces and line up on top of the Lid. They should be about 3 1/4" from each side, but if yours are slightly off, just make sure they are centered and mark the dowels.
    - Drill 1/4" holes in the marked spots and fill with wood glue.
    - Insert the 1/4" dowels attached to the Dowels into the holes in the Lid.

    Step 7

  • Stain/Paint/Seal

    Stain, paint or seal your lanterns with an outdoor product to keep it in good shape and to adjust the color to what you like.

    Step 8

  • Add Light

    Use a battery powered light source or carefully controlled small flame to illuminate the lantern and enjoy the evening.

    Step 9

  • Enjoy!

    Enjoy your handiwork and tag @CharlestonCraftedBuilds on Instagram with a picture!

    Step 10