DIY Projects

Storage DIY Projects

We often run out of storage space for those smaller items – and then we lose them. This trinket box takes care of that.

Store your jewellery such as necklaces, broaches and earrings in this neat and cost effective trinket box!

This box is 115mm wide, 200mm long, and 120mm deep, from top to bottom, however you can adapt the measurements to suit your needs.

It also makes a really nice tea caddie!

Materials:

  • • Meranti – one length 12x96x1.8m*.
  • • Masonite – one offcut 3.2x70x500.
  • • 15 x 30mm 4 gauge brass wood screws.
  • • Wood glue.
  • • Finish of your choice – Try a polyurethane spray (1 can).

    • *Adapt the measurements accordingly if you decide to make the step a different size.

    Method:

    1. Measure the sides and ends and cut them. The more accurate you’re cutting, the better the result – particularly if you are going to varnish the box.
      Trinket box image 1
    2. Clamp the parts of the box into position. Dry-fit and trim individual pieces if necessary – like the base, for example. Then apply glue, clamp the box and allow the glue to dry.
      Trinket box image 1
    3. Once it has dried, remove the clamps and drill the pilot holes for the screws – we made up a template from a Masonite offcut to ensure all the corner screws positions were precisely the same.
      Trinket box image 1
    4. Drive the screws until the slot inside of the screw head is fractionally below the surrounding surface.
      Trinket box image 1
    5. We made the lid up by joining two lengths of the meranti, each 75mm wide by 215mm long. We clamped together, but also clamped them between two offcuts with Perspex buffers (wood glue doesn’t stick to it) to ensure that the lid would be absolutely flat.
      Trinket box image 1
    6. While that was drying, we cut four feet, bevelled at 20° and a handle – comprising the grip, 85x20mm and the pillar – 60x10mm. Each foot is 40x25mm also bevelled at 20° on the two outer edges.
      Trinket box image 1
    7. From the remaining meranti, we cut a lid base – edges bevelled again at 20° and 175x93mm. This would not only reinforce the lid, but also ensure that it always self-centres and sits neatly on the box. Be sure to check the lid base will fit into the top of the box. You want only a little play, but no more and 1mm – otherwise the lid will be able to sit skew on the box.
      Trinket box image 1
    8. The lid base on the underside of the lid after being glued into position.
      Trinket box image 1
    9. The handle with the two attachment screws (pilot holes drilled first!) ready for attachment to the lid.
      Trinket box image 1
    10. We then drove a last screw up through the underside of the lid base and into the middle of the handle pillar, to reinforce the attachment.
      Trinket box image 1
    11. We sanded down all surfaces and the screw heads to remove the slots so that they appeared to be rivets.
      Trinket box image 1
    12. We then cut the compartment dividers for the box. We made six compartments, but you can either leave out this step, or make up four compartments.
      Trinket box image 1
    13. Cut the slot just over half-way through the Masonite dividers. They are 68mm high and cut to fit snugly into the box.
      Trinket box image 1
    14. This is how they should fit.
    15. The completed box.
    16. The box open.
    17. Look at all that room for rings, ear-rings, necklaces, and other items.
      Trinket box image 1

    Panel:

    These materials are available at Selected Mica Stores. To find out which is your closest Mica and whether or not they stock the items required, please go to www.mica.co.za, find your store and call them. If your local Mica does not stock exactly what you need they will be able to order it for you or suggest an alternative product or a reputable source.

    Project guide
    TIME: 2 days
    COST: R100 –R150
    Skill: 4
    Assistant: No

    Tools required:

    Jigsaw, drill, cordless screwdriver, sander, two sheets of 320-grit sandpaper