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Kid's First Toolbox

A small dowel-handled toolbox sized for a child's first set of real hand tools.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L	Material	✓
Sides	2	3/4" × 3 1/2" × 19 1/2"	Pine 1x4	☐
Ends Shape a curved or angled top corner on each before assembly.	2	3/4" × 7 1/4" × 9"	Pine 1x8	☐
Bottom	1	3/8" × 7 1/2" × 21"	3/8" plywood	☐

Item	Qty	✓
Pine, 1x4, 4 ft The two side pieces.	1 each	☐
Pine, 1x8, 3 ft The two shaped end pieces.	1 each	☐
3/8" plywood, small offcut The bottom panel — 7-1/2" x 21". Most scrap bins have a piece this size.	2 sq ft	☐
1" dowel rod The handle.	2 ft	☐
Wood glue	2 oz	☐
1-1/4" finish nails	16 each	☐

Overall cost: $. Lumber varies by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure.

Drill / Driver
Drills the handle holes and drives the assembly.
Jigsaw
Shapes the curved top of the end pieces. A coping or scroll saw works too.
Miter Saw
For the straight crosscuts on the sides and ends.
Tape Measure
Brad Nailer — optional
Random Orbit Sander — optional

1. Cut the sides and ends
Tools: Jigsaw, Miter Saw, Tape Measure. Materials: Pine, 1x4, 4 ft, Pine, 1x8, 3 ft
Cut the two 1x4 sides to 19-1/2" and the two 1x8 end pieces to 9". Mark and cut a curved or angled top corner on each end piece with a jigsaw — this is what keeps small hands from catching a sharp corner.
2. Drill the handle holes
Tools: Drill / Driver, Tape Measure. Materials: Pine, 1x8, 3 ft
About 1" down from the top of each end piece, drill a hole sized to your dowel rod, straight through both. Drill both ends before gluing anything — it's much easier to keep the holes aligned on flat, separate pieces than after assembly.
3. Cut the bottom panel
Tools: Miter Saw, Tape Measure. Materials: 3/8" plywood, small offcut
Cut the plywood bottom to 7-1/2" x 21".
4. Assemble the box
Tools: Brad Nailer, Drill / Driver. Materials: 1" dowel rod, Wood glue, 1-1/4" finish nails
Glue the dowel handle into the holes in both end pieces, then glue and nail the end pieces to the two sides. Glue and nail the plywood bottom to the assembled sides and ends.
5. Sand it smooth
Tools: Random Orbit Sander
Sand every edge and corner smooth — this is the step that matters most on a project meant for small hands. Let a kid help with this part; it's hard to mess up.