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Jaime Costiglio

build - paint - sew

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DIY Wood Trug

October 25, 2013

Back with another Handbuilt Holiday gift idea this Friday.  Today is a scrap wood project you can make almost any size to fit your needs.  And it makes the most perfect gift giving container as well!
diy wood trug free plans

A DIY tutorial to build a wood trug. Make this super functional wood trug to contain all the things! Books, toys, magazines, blankets and more.

It’s Friday which means Ana White and I have another new plan perfect for your holiday gift giving.
handbuilt holiday
Today it’s a wood trug or carryall or handled bin.  Whatever you want call it it makes a very versatile and useful gift.  It could even be a gift to hold other gifts!
wrapped gift boxes
Ana’s plans will have you building not one but multiple trugs for nearly everyone on your holiday list.  And you can use scrap wood of almost any size to make these wood trugs.
diy wood drugs
These wood trugs hold everything: toys, themed gift basket, craft supplies, books, blankets and more.
what to put in my wood rug
I painted stripes on these trugs but the finish possibilities are endless.  You could even personalize them by adding a name using the same technique from the folding desk last week.
striped wood rug
painted stripes on side of wood rug
And don’t worry the handles won’t ever fall out of position.  I used small perpendicular wood dowels as stoppers at each end to keep the dowel in place.
wood handle with dowel pin
For the finish I opted to leave the interiors unfinished – look at all that space!
wood trug Interior space

Here’s how to build a wood trug:

1. Follow Ana’s plans and cut your lumber.
scrap wood pieces
Below are the cut lists for the 3 trugs pictured:
three sizes of wood drugs
2. To make the curved end piece mark where the side meets up with the end (on both sides) and then mark the center at top.
pay attention to grain of wood
3. Use a small diameter container (paint sample etc) and trace the upper edge to get the top curve.
trace bottle for curve at top
Then use a larger diameter can (regular paint can, plastic takeout container lid, etc) and trace the edge of the can to get the bigger side curve.
trace paint can to get curved edge
curved line sketch
Now cut out the curved end with a jig saw.
cut one end
To make the second end piece trace around the first to get matching ends.
trace one end to make second replica
6. Drill holes for handle using a spade bit that is the same diameter as the dowel.
(I prefer my handle to move freely therefore I drilled this hole a bit wide to give a tiny extra room.)
spade bit to make hole in end
end pieces with curved top and predrilled hole for handle
7. Before assembling the wood trug consider sanding the curved edges well.
8. Then use wood glue and 1 1/4″ finish nails and nailer (or hammer) to attach sides to one end.
finish nails to attach sides to end
I used 4 nails in each end.
nails at short end
wood trug carcasses
Finally cut base to fit and glue and nail into position.
For the handle cut the dowel to fit, leaving at least 1/4″ overhang at each end.  Then make a mark for smaller stopper dowel just inside the ends and predrill a hole.  Slide one stopper in place, place handle in position, then insert other stopper.

small wood dowel to keep handle in position
12. To paint the stripes simply measure and tape off with painters tape:
painters tape to create stripes
Keep moving the tape and making new lines until you have all the stripes you want.
13. Seal with Minwax clear satin poly:

apply polycryclic with foam brush
And check back each and every Friday through Christmas for another new gift build plan for the Handbuilt Holiday series.

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Filed Under: 2013, BUILD, DIY, GAMES & TOYS, GIFTS, HANDBUILT HOLIDAY, HOME DECOR, KIDS, ORGANIZATION, PAINT, STORAGE3 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    October 25, 2013 at 6:53 PM

    These are super cute, Jaime! I love the stripes. I'm thinking my boys need some of these for Christmas for all their treasures!

    Reply
  2. Jake says

    October 26, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    I really love the project. I use hardwood plywood when building blocks of wood for bandsaw boxes. When the edges are hit with some Danish oil after all of the sanding is done you would be amazed how the plywood just pops out at you. Try it on one of our trugs and I think you will be pleased.

    Reply
  3. DaiseyJayne.com says

    October 27, 2013 at 12:22 PM

    These are wonderful and the possibilities are endless!

    Reply

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