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About Project
Everyone with a sand box knows that lids are a necessity. But double-duty lids are crazy awesome, especially if they convert to a seat!
Check out the inspiration for this sand box! http://www.gltc.co.uk/fcp/product/-/great_outdoors_sandpits/Wooden-Sand-...
You'll notice that it's not an exact replica, as I wanted to make this easy to build for everyone. Not everyone has the tools necessary to notch out boards and create the overhangs on the sides.
Dimensions
Materials and Tools
2 - 1 x 8 x 8
6 - 1 x 4 x 8
1 - 2 x 4 x 8 or Stud Length
You will also need:
4 sets of exterior grade hinges
Rope OR 4 exterior grade handles (search "gate pull" or "gate handle")
Cut List
(a) 2 - 1 x 8 @ 47 1/2" - long sides of box
(b) 2 - 1 x 8 @ 46" - short sides of box
(c) 12 - 1 x 4 @ 47 1/2" - top planks
(d) 4 - 2 x 4 @ 7 1/2" - arm rests
(e) 4 - 2 x 4 @ 12 1/2" - back support/handle
General Instructions
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Step 1
Create a basic box, insetting the short sides as shown above. You can either use pocket holes or pre-drill through the long sides and use 1 1/4" screws.
Step 2
Screw in two planks on each side, countersinking your screws through the top. Space the boards 1/2" apart
Step 3
Create what will become the seat. Screw the 1 x 4 boards (1/2" apart) onto the 2 x 4 arm rests (d). Make sure that the 2 x 4s are at least 1" inset from the edge to allow for them to fold into the box nicely.
(you'll be making two of these)
Step 4
I have NO idea how to add hinges in sketch-up, but attach the seat that you made in step 3 to the plank you screwed in in step 2. I found it easier to attach the hinge to the seat (on the side opposite the arm rests) and THEN attach it to the screwed-in plank. Make sure to space them 1/2" apart.
Step 5
Create the seat's back. Screw your (e) boards to the ends of the final 1 x 4s. Make sure the 1 x 4s are spaced 1/2" apart.
If you are planning on adding rope, pre-drill through the 2 x 4 completely, between the 1 x 4s and at the bottom of the "inner" 1 x 4 (the one closer to the overhanging 2 x 4). If you plan on adding handles, you can attach them wherever you find it pleasing.
(you'll be making two of these)
Step 6
Attach your second set of hinges to the seat back, on the opposite side of the 2 x 4s, and then attach to the seat (easy to do with the seat "up"). Make sure to space the 1/2" apart.
Finishing Instructions
Yes, I've finally gotten around to posting these plans!
These plans have been sitting on my computer for weeks, waiting patiently for me get pictures of my sand box to accompany them.
It's fall break over here, and my sister and I tag-teamed road trips. I feel like I totally failed, because I've had them but haven't taken the time to share them... Or even stage mine for photos! But for those of you waiting patiently for me to post these plans, THANK YOU! And I'm sorry it's taken so long! Photos coming soon :-)
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THANK YOU!!!
I saw this on Pinterest and was just telling my husband about it yesterday in hopes maybe we could figure out how to build it. It is exactly what my little guy needs! Thanks so much for posting these!!
Great job! This looks
Great job! This looks fabulous! Can't wait to see your pictures! Soon, I hope! : )
Love this! I also saw this on
Love this! I also saw this on pinterest recently and am thrilled to find plans for this. Any concern with little fingers getting caught in the hinges? That is my only concern. Thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks so much!
Little Fingers
Hi there! We've actually not had ANY problems with that so far. The seat pretty much stays put until everything's lifted to close it, and I really don't think little kids will be able to do that. I have a pretty strong 6 year old that can get mine closed, but mine's only 2 feet wide. The added 2 feet will add weight that'll keep it safer from the kids moving it.
Thanks so much for taking the
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question! All the best. :)
Ana Thank you for this plan,
I have been wanting to build a sandbox with a lid that is easy to open and close. Thank you this one looks great.
Ana Thank you for this plan,
I have been wanting to build a sandbox with a lid that is easy to open and close. Thank you this one looks great.
I would LOVE to see a
I would LOVE to see a pic/diaghram of this opened up :-)
Opened up
There's a photo in the brag post, here http://ana-white.com/2011/10/modified-sand-box-lid
Looks great
I'd love to make this when I get done with the gazillion other projects I have lined up for myself. hehe. I'm going to try to come up with some sort of canopy to go over it too...Thanks so much for the plans. My kids will have a ton of fun.
Am I missing something or is
Am I missing something or is the cut list off? Should it be 4 cuts for the arms and 4 for the back rests, 2 per side
Cutlist
Wondering if the cultist for the 2x4 should be 4 pieces for the arm rest and 4 pieces for the back rest
Yes, you're absolutely right!
Sorry 'bout that. There should totally be 4 arm rests and back... thingies.. (Duh, Gina!)
Cut list and lid
Hi thanks for the plans on this. Sadly we must have downloaded them just before the cut list was edited. Had ordered the wood precut from timber yard and husband thought I'd ordered incorrectly.
On the lid, we ran into trouble with the 1/2" spacing. 12-1x4 without spacing would be 48". Even accounting for the fact that the 1x4s came up a bit less than 4, more like 3 3/4, we still ended up having to adjust everything at the end.
Lid Spacing
Hi! Sorry, it was just a total blonde moment! You're gonna need 4 of each, and I feel bad for messing up something so obvious! Typically, 1x4s should measure approx 3 1/2, and that's what I'd accounted for in the plan. Hopefully it's an easy fix for ya, and tell the husband I take full blame! :o)
Very cool sandbox
This is an easy project to build and looks great. The only thing I changed was I cut my arm rests at 7 1/2" instead of 6 1/2". It made it very easy to build that section. No extra measuring or centering.
Good Call
And I love how yours turned out! I'll update the cut list, thanks for the head's up!
Compound Mitre Saw
Hi,
I'm heading to Lowe's now to get some lumber to build one of these for my one Grandson for his birthday.
I was looking for some ideas online when I found your site and after reading this over, it looks like this one will work nicely.
I was wondering why you specified a compound mitre saw as a tool needed? I have a DeWalt compound mitre saw, but I don't see any cuts that even require a mitre saw at all unless I missed something?
Anyway, the posted finished projects look great, and like a few others, I'm making my sides 2" X 8" for more stability as I will be moving it to their home after building it.
"Tools required"
Hi Loral!
I listed the compound miter saw as a tool needed because there's a checklist to choose from, and there isn't just "chop saw". You can cut the boards however you want, there aren't any particular reasons you need a compound miter saw. Take a hand saw, if you'd like! ;-)
Hope this helps!
Gina
Tools Required
Hi Gina,
I thought as much, but I read quickly and was wanting to run to get my lumber quick, and didn't want to miss a step. I didn't see any cuts requiring a compound mitre.
A note to those planning on using 2 X 8 boards for sides, you will have to run the boards the opposite way so they straddle the 47½" cut. Otherwise, you are looking at 49¼". Don't let that throw you, just run your 1 X 4's along the 47½" edge and all will work out.
I'm about 75% complete, and thinking about starting fresh again tomorrow.
Would you tell me how to post photos like the others have when I complete my project?
Loral
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