Introduction: Pallet Wood & Dowel Corner Gift Box

About: I like to make fun projects and document it all for my channel BCDesign on YouTube!

I made this pallet wood gift box with doweled corners for the Sterling Davis pallet wood challenge on YouTube.

I made the box with mitred corners and I was going to use splines to make the corners stronger but decided to use dowels instead.

I made a YouTube video of the process for my channel BCDesign

What you will need:

  • Drill
  • 8mm wood bit
  • Mitre saw
  • 8mm wood dowels
  • Wood glue
  • masking tape
  • 2 hinges
  • 10cm of chain
  • 16mm screws
  • Clasps to close the box
  • Sandpaper
  • danish oil

Step 1: Cut the Pallet to Size

  • Find a Pallet that is in good condition
  • I used a jigsaw to cut the best boards from the pallet
  • I needed enough wood for the 4 sides a top and a bottom
  • I used my mitre saw with a stop block to make mitred cuts for the corners.

Step 2: Glue the Box Together

  • I dry fitted the parts together before gluing
  • I used masking tape to hold the glued mitred corners together
  • I then added 2 awesome Piher clamps, make sure not to over tighten the clamps or the corners will slide apart
  • I left the box overnight for the glue to dry

Step 3: Drill 8mm Holes for the Corners & Base

  • I removed the box from the clamps and sanded the box from 120-320 grit
  • I then marked the corners and base where I wanted to put the dowels
  • Make sure you pick the appropriate size drill bit and dowels for the thickness of the wood you use.
  • Be careful when drilling the corners that you don't drill through to the inside of the box.
  • I used a scrap piece of wood clamped to the side of the box that the drill tip would exit to prevent tear out.
  • I then put glue in the holes and on the dowels and tapped them into position with a mallet.
  • I also drilled holes around the base and added dowels to strengthen the base.

Step 4: Add Hinges & Clasps

  • I marked out the position for my hinges
  • I then used a chisel to recess the area the hinge would fit in,this makes the lid sit flush when closed
  • Screw the hinges into place and make sure the lid closes properly.
  • I then marked the position for the clasps on the lid and front of the box and drilled pilot holes to prevent the wood splitting and secured them with screws

Step 5: Cut Chain & Finish With Danish Oil

  • I cut 10cm of chain and used a pliers to crimp the first & last links so I could secure it to the box with some screws.
  • I then applied 3 layers of danish oil sanding with 320 grit between each coat
  • I think the box turned out very nice and like the way the dowels look exposed on the outside of the box.

I made a YouTube video of the process please subscribe and thumbs up if you like it!

Link to my channel https://www.youtube.com/user/bazza866/videos