How to Make a Wooden Toolbox with Drawers

There is a sense of satisfaction that comes with lugging around your supplies in a toolbox of your own creation. This straightforward method of creating a simple toolbox with drawers can be embellished upon once you have a firm grasp of its simple construction.

Using Plywood to Make a Wooden Toolbox with Drawers

To make this simple toolbox I will begin with a durable, laminated wood that is easy to work with and almost guaranteed to be straight. There are several types of plywood available at most home improvement stores. For this build I recommend using a higher grade of plywood such as 1/2″ oak sanded plywood and 1/4″ cabinet grade plywood for the drawers.

Gather Materials to Create a Toolbox with Drawers

The goal of this build is to create your toolbox using simple tools. 

The cuts will not require a table saw, though if you have one at your disposal, it will greatly speed up the project. Even a cheap table saw will make short work of these cuts needed.

We will also not use a router or chisels. However, routing or chiseling dados for your drawers and base assembly could strengthen the finished product.

Required materials:

• 4’ x 4’ sheet of 1/2″ plywood
• 4’ x 2’ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
• Wood glue
• Minimum of 4 ratcheting clamps with at least 2’ spans
• 3/4” #5 wood screws
• Screw driver
• Circular saw with 1/4″ thick plywood blade 
• (4) Heavy duty 3” corner brace
• 6” drawer slides
• 1” x 16” dowel rod
• Caulk
• Caulk gun
• Bowling Alley Wax
• Wax Paper

Cut Plywood to Size

There are many cuts to be made for your wooden toolbox with drawers. I recommend using a track saw to guarantee straight cuts. You could also use a circular saw to cut your plywood, provided you use clamps to secure a straight board to your plywood to act as a guide.

Table saws are also great for crosscuts in plywood. In a pinch, you can cut the plywood with a jigsaw, but your cuts probably won’t be precise enough.

All of the following cuts use 1/2″ plywood unless otherwise indicated. Numbers in parentheses indicate how many pieces of that size need to be created.

Toolbox Base and Back

• (2) 16” x 8”

Front of Toolbox

• (4) 1” x 2”
• (1) 16” x 1/2”
• (1) 16” x 1”
• (1) 16” x 2”       

Sides of Toolbox

• (2) 12” x 8”       

Drawers

• (4) 6 3/8″ x 1 5/8”    
• (2) 13 7/8″ x 1 5/8″
• (2) 13 7/8″ x 1 7/8″
• (2) 1/4″ plywood 13 7/8″ x 6 7/8″

Toolbox Top

• (1) 16” x 7”       

Build Your Toolbox

The most time consuming portion of putting together your toolbox will be waiting on your wood glue to dry.

Create the Base and Back of the Toolbox

When using wood glue, always glue on a level surface. I find it helpful to put wax paper under the wood to provide protection for dripping glue and to make cleanup easier.

1. Place a 16” x 8” piece of plywood on the wax paper covered surface.
2. Apply glue to the other 16” x 8” piece of plywood in an approximate 1/2″ line along a 16” face of the board.
3. Match the 16” glued face with a 16” edge of the board lying on the wax paper forming an L shape.
4. Use two clamps at the bottom of the “L” at each corner. Clamps should be applying pressure to the glued joint. Ensure the clamped boards form a 90 degree angle.

Gluing the Face of the Toolbox

Begin by laying out your plywood in a mockup to ensure that you understand what is being created. 

1. Lay out the 16” x 1/2” piece. This will attach to the base of the toolbox later. 
2. Place 1” x 2” blocks at each end of the 16” piece. The space between these 1” x 2” will house the face of the drawer.
3. The 16” x 1” rests atop the 1” x 2” blocks.
4. Two 1” x 2” blocks go out either end of this 16” piece making space for another drawer.
5. Finally, the 16” x 2” goes above the topmost 1” x 2” blocks.

Short recap on how the face is constructed starting at the base: Thin long strip → two blocks → long strip → two blocks → thick long strip.

After these are laid out, apply glue between each joint where the 1/2″ plywood meets up with other pieces. After glue is applied, carefully clamp the face together. Wait for the glue to dry.

Tip: place wax paper on the surface of the face, then rest a flat, heavy weight on the wax paper to keep the face surfaces flush.

Prepare the Sides

Grab both 12” x 8” pieces. On an 8” side on both pieces, mark the center point. This will be your top edge. On the bottom corners opposite the center point you just marked, measure up 8” on each side. Draw a diagonal line connecting your 8” marks to the marked top center point. Saw along these lines. Your sides should now be shaped like a traditional birdhouse.

Measure down 2” from the peaks you just created. Drill a 1” hole.

Properly orient your L-shaped base-and-back piece. The L shaped piece should have a 16” x 8” footprint with one side rising 12 1/2″ into the air.

Use glue and clamps to attach the sides to the L-shaped piece. Mate the sides to the outside of the L-shape. The total width of the toolbox should now be 17”.

Attach the Face

After the sides, base, and back have been successfully glued together, the face is ready to be installed. The face should rest on top of the base, between the sides. Apply glue and clamps to install the face. Ensure that the face is flush with the sides and base.

Install Corner Braces

Use four corner braces and their includes hardware to reinforce the bottom corners of the toolbox.

Create Drawers

There are two drawers in this toolbox. Each drawer will need the following pieces:

• (2) 6 3/8″ x 1 5/8”  (drawer sides)
• (1) 13 7/8″ x 1 5/8″ (drawer back)
• (1) 13 7/8″ x 1 7/8″ (front)
• (1) 1/4″ plywood 13 7/8″ x 6 7/8″

Glue up the drawers on a level surface where the drawer sides rest between the back and face. Clamp the drawers. After the glue has dried, use glue to bond the 1/4″ plywood to the drawer frames. The 1/4″ plywood should rest flush with the face of the drawers. Using clamps or weights, apply pressure to the glue bonding the 1/4″ plywood to the frames.

Install Drawer Slides

Determine the thickness of your drawer slides. Install spacers on the interior of the toolbox that will bring out drawer slides the necessary distance to make drawers operational.

After spaces are installed, mark straight lines on both interior sides of the toolbox at 2” and 5”. The tops of the drawer slides will attach on these lines. Drawer slides should be recessed 1/4″ from the face of the toolbox. Attach drawer slide from to toolbox interior.

You can install bottom mount drawer slides or side mount.

Following manufacturer’s instructions, attach the removable portion of drawer slides to each side of the drawers. You can upgrade your toolbox with the use of the best soft close drawer slides.

Finishing the Toolbox

At this point you should have what looks like a wooden toolbox with drawers in front of you. Rub bowling alley wax along the bottom of the plywood drawers for easier opening.

Install the drawers

Fit your 1” dowel rod with a little glue into the side holes of the toolbox. Caulk around the edges of the top separator panel. If desired, apply a coat of wax or polyurethane to the wooden toolbox to finish the project. You can also stain the plywood before finishing to give it a different color.

Conclusion

Creating your own wooden toolbox from drawers is a labor of love that requires relatively few materials. However, it does take time and patience as the ample amount of wood glue cures. Like with all cabinetry, plywood requires precision cutting and gluing. A homemade toolbox is heirloom to pass on or a wonderful gift to give.