The Woodworking GroupJoin the Community on Facebook
Back to Project LabStage 2 · Build with Confidence

Simple Wooden Box

An original TWG open-box design for reading a five-part cut list, practicing a dry fit, and checking adult-controlled fastening steps.

Open-top wooden box with the bottom beneath four walls; long walls outside and short ends between them. Fasteners are not shown.

Parts and fit views

Five separate Simple Wooden Box parts laid out in true relative proportions: one bottom, two long walls, and two shorter end walls.
Five prepared parts1 bottom: 8 × 5 × ½ in; 2 long walls: 8 × 2½ × ½ in; 2 end walls: 4 × 2½ × ½ in. Check actual stock against these TWG design dimensions.
Two long walls placed on the top face of the Simple Wooden Box bottom; the short ends are not yet added.
Bottom under the long wallsBoth long walls sit on the bottom. The short end walls will fit between them; the view does not mark any screw positions.

Measurements are repeated in text above. The pictures explain the TWG design geometry, not physical fit or fastening performance.

TWG lesson reference

TWG design and parts record

This is an original TWG design: a 1/2 in bottom under four 2 1/2 in walls, with 8 in long walls outside and 4 in end walls between. The listed outside size is 8 × 5 × 3 in and the inside cavity is 7 × 4 × 2 1/2 in. The lesson calls for eight #6 × 1 1/4 in screws; the adult checks actual placement and screw-specific hole preparation before drilling. No load rating is assigned.

Original TWG mentor lesson

Open the full TWG build lesson

Open TWG lesson
Lesson dimensions, parts, and method

What the TWG lesson specifies

Source
Original TWG Simple Wooden Box mentor lesson
Materials and parts
One 8 × 5 × 1/2 in bottom; two 8 × 2 1/2 × 1/2 in long walls; two 4 × 2 1/2 × 1/2 in end walls. Bottom under all walls; long walls outside; ends between.
Stock dimensions and pattern
Outside: 8 × 5 × 3 in. Inside cavity: 7 × 4 × 2 1/2 in. The 2 1/2 in wall height plus the 1/2 in bottom equals the outside height.
Tools and assembly
Tape measure, combination square, hand sanding block, adult-selected clamps, and adult-controlled drill/driver with product-appropriate hole preparation and driver bits. Four walls sit on the bottom's top face. The two 8 in long walls stay outside; the two 4 in end walls fit between them. Eight #6 × 1 1/4 in flat-head screws are specified, two per wall. Exact coordinates are not supplied; an adult checks placement against the actual joints and current product guidance.

This is a companion summary, not a complete illustrated build lesson. Follow the linked plan or TWG lesson and have an adult check the actual setup before building.

Adult-led session

What you can practice

Identify the five labeled parts, keep reference faces consistent, hand-sand released supported edges, dry-fit, check the 8 × 5 in footprint and square, and explain the adult-controlled underside screw path before assembly.

Adult preparation and boundary

Verify the prepared 1/2 in stock and cut list; label five parts and reference faces; set stable workholding and adult-selected clamps; stage eight lesson-specified #6 × 1 1/4 in screws and keep powered tools under adult control. Check actual stock, select the fastener layout and product-specific hole preparation, and control every cut, drill, screw, glue/product step, cure, and intended-use decision.

Before building

With an adult, check actual prepared stock, match all five parts, and dry-fit the walls on the bottom. The adult approves the screw layout against the real joints and current product guidance, then controls all holes and screws. Follow the chosen glue label for handling and cure.