Shaker Toybox / Children’s Work Table

By The Reformation Woodshop
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Kreg Academy Kreg Academy

Toyboxes are not typically associated with any class of high end furniture. I designed this shaker style toy box to change that! This maple storage solution doubles as a work table and can easily be converted into a coffee table once the kids have outgrown it!

Difficulty easy

Tools

Kreg Tools

Other Tools

  • Drill
    Drill
  • Miter saw
    Miter saw
  • Table saw
    Table saw
  • Sander
    Sander
  • Router
    Router
  • 16 Gauge Nail Gun
    16 Gauge Nail Gun

Materials

Wood Products

  • 1 Maple Boards , 1x4
  • 1 Maple Plywood , 3/4"
  • 1 Birch Plywood , 1/2

Hardware & Supplies

  • 1 Box of 2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws (See tools list)
  • 1 Box of 1 1/2" Kreg Pocket Hole Screws (See tools list)
  • 1 24" Piano hinge or a set of soft close toy box hinges
  • 1 Linseed Oil
  • 1 Wood Glue
See All Tools & Materials

Cut List & Parts

  • 2 Maple plywood- Body , 29 1/2” x 15”
  • 2 Maple plywood- Body , 19 3/8” x 15”
  • 1 Birch plywood to be inset as the base of the toybox , 20” x 28 3/4”
  • 4 Solid maple to make up the stiles on the long faces of the box , 2” x 15” x 3/4"
  • 4 Solid maple to make up the stiles on the short faces of the box , 1 1/4” x 15” x 3/4"
  • 2 Solid maple to make up the top rails on the short faces of the box , 2” x 19 1/2” x 3/4"
  • 2 Solid maple to make up the bottom rails on the short faces of the box , 4” x 19 1/2” x 3/4"
  • 2 Solid maple to make up the top rails on the long faces of the box , 2” x 27 1/2” x 3/4"
  • 2 Solid maple to make up the bottom rails on the long faces of the box , 4” x 27 1/2” x 3/4"
  • 2 Solid maple to make up the stiles of the lid , 2” x 23” x 3/4"
  • 2 Solid maple to make up the rails of the lid , 2” x 28” x 3/4”
  • 1 Maple plywood to be the core of the lid , 28” x 18 7/8” x 3/4"
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See Full Cut List & Parts

Directions

  • Cut

    Cut the pieces that make up the body of the box.

    Step 1

  • Cut

    Cut a rabbet in all of the pieces to fit a 1/2 bottom.

    Step 2

  • Join

    Join all of the pieces together with pocket holes and glue.

    Step 3

  • Cut

    Cut the frame pieces that will make up the panels on the box.

    Step 4

  • Screw

    Pocket hole all of those pieces and join them together.

    Step 5

  • Glue

    Glue and nail your panels to the faces of the box.

    Step 6

  • Build

    Construct the lid from the same material as the panels and secure a piece of 3/4” plywood in the center.

    Step 7

  • Attach hinge

    Attach the lid to the toy box with a 24” piano hinge.

    IMPORTANT: Remember to take precautions to ensure children’s safety around the toy box. If children will have unsupervised access to the toy box, use soft close toy box hinges or struts instead of the piano hinge.

    Step 8

  • Create Groove

    Use your router to create a finer groove in the lid.

    Step 9

  • Protection

    Finish your toy box with a clear coat to protect it.

    Step 10

  • Clean

    Clean up the floor!

    Step 11

  • Finished!

    And get to work!

    Step 12