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A no-frills octagonal-ish sandbox built entirely from cedar fence pickets over three 2x4 spines — the whole box for the price of a bundle of pickets.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L | Material | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spines | 8 | 1 1/2" × 3 1/2" × 11" | 2x4 | ☐ |
| Top and side pickets No cutting needed if your pickets aren't dog-eared. If dog-eared, trim all pickets to this same length. | 10 | 5/8" × 5 1/2" × 71" | Cedar fence picket | ☐ |
| Item | Qty | ✓ |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 6 ft, not dog-eared (Cedar) | 10 each | ☐ |
| 2x4, 8 ft or 92-5/8" stud length | 1 each | ☐ |
| Exterior self-tapping screws, 1-1/4", star bit | 60 each | ☐ |
Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 6 ft, not dog-eared, 2x4, 8 ft or 92-5/8" stud length, Exterior self-tapping screws, 1-1/4", star bit
Lay two 2x4 spines down on a flat, level surface. Attach two cedar fence pickets to the top with 1-1/4" screws. Build two of these identical assemblies.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 6 ft, not dog-eared, Exterior self-tapping screws, 1-1/4", star bit
Attach two cedar pickets to each side of the two spine assemblies, connecting them into the overall sandbox shape.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: 2x4, 8 ft or 92-5/8" stud length, Exterior self-tapping screws, 1-1/4", star bit
Find the center of the side pickets you just attached and screw the center 2x4 spine in place, with the narrower face oriented toward the sides — the same orientation as the two corner spines. This is what keeps a sandbox this size from flexing underfoot.
Tools: Drill / Driver. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 6 ft, not dog-eared, Exterior self-tapping screws, 1-1/4", star bit
Place the remaining top pickets along all three spines and attach.
Tools: Drill / Driver, Random Orbit Sander. Materials: Cedar fence picket, 5-1/2" x 6 ft, not dog-eared, Exterior self-tapping screws, 1-1/4", star bit
Screw the remaining pickets to the open ends, flat against the sides. Sand every top edge thoroughly to prevent splinters — this surface gets bare hands and feet all summer. Finish with an exterior product if desired.