Child Item

How to build drop front shoebox from restored merbau decking?

I am restoring some old decking to make in to a shoebox for our front porch. It is 1500mm W x 445mm H x 355mm D. It has a shelf inside as shown in the sketchup.

I am thinking of a drop front lid that will also be made from old merbau decking, but unsure how to make it open. I looked online about ideas and one option was using a lid stay hinges, with a catch on the top, but unsure if the lid stay hinges will fit due to the shelf and the box frame.

Advice appreciated.

Screenshot 2023-06-11 at 10.28.16 pm.png

Screenshot 2023-06-11 at 10.28.47 pm.png

Screenshot 2023-06-11 at 10.32.46 pm.png

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Furniture

Building and Construction

Comments

MitchellMc

Hi @mrpatel,

What are the purposes of the lid stay hinges? I presume you'd like the front face to fold down; only standard hinges would be required for that. Did you not want it to fold down to the ground fully? If you can let me know what you'd like the front fold-down lid to do, I can recommend a hinge system to suit.

Mitchell

mrpatel

Hi Mitchell,

I thought the drop front might be quite heavy so would be easier if it was guided down by lid stay hinges. But open to alternate suggestions.

Ash.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/27861#Comment_27861

I don't believe lid stays have any resistance to them, @mrpatel. The only real benefit on a lid that lifts up is that they lock in the open position. Perhaps you could pop a door closer in there to help stop it from descending so quickly and assist in raising it. I believe that not only do they help close the door, but they will provide resistance and slow down the opening.

Mitchell

mrpatel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/76505#Comment_76505

Hi Mitchell,

Is this a good timber for the box frame?

https://www.bunnings.com.au/porta-42-x-30mm-2-4m-dar-pine-standard-better_p0021347

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/102272#Comment_102272

That timber is fine, @mrpatel. If the box is going outside, I'd recommend painting or coating the timber with polyurethane to protect it from the weather.

Mitchell

mrpatel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/118156#Comment_118156

Hi Mitchell,

Am thinking about how to join the box frame that the merbau slats will be screwed on to.

What join would you recommend for the corner join here? Concerned about doing a butt join and securing with screws because I will be screwing the end merbau slat down too and that will potentially cross and collide? Havent tested out yet but appreciate advice.

Screenshot 2023-06-27 at 8.07.07 pm.png

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/127447#Comment_127447

Hello @mrpatel

Your drawing looks fantastic and very detailed. If you've drawn your timber pieces to scale, I suggest drawing in the proposed position of your screws. In this instance once you've built the box frame, you'll have a better idea of the position of the screws. I recommend offsetting the position of the screws so that they don't run into each other.

My number tip is to make sure to drill pilot holes for your screws to prevent splitting the timber. Since you'll be placing the screws very close to the edge of the panels, its important they are not put under stress.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

mrpatel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/133553#Comment_133553

I have finally got all my old merbau timber sanded down and glue removed. However where the glue has been removed, the timber is patchy. What do you recommend to remove the patchiness? I assume some kind of stain. Thanks.

Screenshot 2023-06-28 at 8.02.10 pm.png

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137332#Comment_137332

Hi @mrpatel

I suggest to keep on sanding the surface and see if the patchiness disappears. If the patchiness does not go away odds are the glue has had a bleaching effect on the surface of the Merbau panel. Is the other side of the panel ok or is it patchy as well? Perhaps you can use the side that has not been damaged by the glue?

If you are planning on staining the shoe box. I'm hoping that it will be enough to cover the patchiness of the panel.

Please let me know the results of further sanding.

Eric

mrpatel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139933#Comment_139933

Hi Eric,

Yes the other side is fine now. Had to get all the paint off and sand it down, see below pic where I have used meth to pull out the colour:

Screenshot 2023-06-28 at 10.03.23 pm.png

I did the same sanding job on the glue side, using 40, 80 and 120 grit so cant do any more. Like you said, the glue has probably had a bleaching effect.

I do intend to use the glue side as the inside of the shoebox, but I still do want to stain it. Can you recommend a stain?

Thanks.

Ash.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141736#Comment_141736

Hi @mrpatel

Thanks for posting that update, you're now in a better position to determine which side of the panel to use. In regards to the stain, it all depends on your preference. For example, a natural sealer such as Cabots 1L Aquadeck Natural Exterior Decking Oil has no added stain to it. Therefore, if applied to the Merbau panel will only result in the natural colour of timber to stand out. However, if you use Intergrain 1L Redwood UltraDeck Timber Decking Stain it will result in a much darker finish.

I recommend visiting your local store and proceeding to the deck sample or outdoor furniture sample finishes. You'll see sample boards with the finishes applied and you'll get a much better idea of their colour. Please keep in mind that if you are keeping this box outside of the house, make sure the paint you are using is rated for outdoor use.

Please make sure to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask when working on your shoebox project.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

mrpatel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143104#Comment_143104

Hi Eric,

Thanks for that info.

For my frame I was thinking of this pine:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/porta-42-x-30mm-2-4m-dar-pine-standard-better_p0021347

For my base I was thinking of this:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-2200-x-600-x-26mm-merbau-panel_p8330163

Screenshot 2023-06-29 at 9.05.55 pm.png

Thoughts?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144061#Comment_144061

Those sound like good options, @mrpatel. Remember that the Pine is obviously going to be a different colour timber to the Merbau, but functionally it will be just fine. You might like to stain the Pine to bring it closer to the colour of Merbau.

Mitchell

mrpatel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144787#Comment_144787

Yes thst was my plan, to stain them. Thanks Eric.

Child Item