Father’s Day tool box

Habitat bright ideas with Fleur Thorpe – DIY projects

Create a toolbox for Dad and fill it with his favourite treats this Father’s Day.

Father’s Day tool box
Wall painted in Resene Carrara

You will need

Instructions

How to make your own Father’s Day tool box:

Father’s Day tool box - Step 1 Step 1
Start by cutting your wood. Fleur cut two side lengths to be 30cm long, the two upright pieces were 28cm long and the base was 27.8cm long. Cut the tops of the two upright pieces at an angle – Fleur’s were 22.5 degrees on a mitre saw. Sand any rough edges smooth.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 2 Step 2
Prime all the pieces with one coat of Resene Quick Dry.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 3 Step 3
Once the primer is dry, paint one side of all the boards with two coats of Resene Tarawera, allowing for the first coat to dry before applying the second coat.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 4 Step 4
Once this is dry, flip the boards over and paint the other side and the edges with two coats of Resene Wishlist.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 5 Step 5
Take the two upright end pieces and with the Resene Wishlist side facing up, use painters tape to tape off stripes. Paint over the stripes with two coats of Resene Tarawera and remove the tape as soon as you have finished the second coat.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 6 Step 6
Use a computer and printer to print out some words for the side of the box – Fleur used ‘Best Dad’. Take one of the sides of the box and tape the words on to the Resene Wishlist side.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 7 Step 7
Use a ballpoint pen to trace around the words. Press firmly so that an indentation is left on the wood.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 8 Step 8
Remove the paper and use a small paintbrush to paint in the words with Resene Poppy.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 9 Step 9
Assemble the box and hold it in place with strong wood glue. Make sure all the Resene Tarawera painted sides are facing in and the Resene Wishlist sides are facing out. Cut a length of dowel (Fleur used a 22mm diameter wooden broom handle) to length, prime this and paint it with two coats of Resene Tarawera. Glue this in place for the handle. Once the glue is dry, apply two coats of Resene Aquaclear in a satin finish over the inside, outside and the handle of the box.


Father’s Day tool box - Step 10 Step 10
Once the Resene Aquaclear is dry, drill pilot holes and add screws to either end of the handle, at the end of the base and at both ends of the sides. Fill the tool box with some of Dad’s favourite things.

Top tip:  If your dad is a fan of woodworking, try using Resene Colorwood wood stain finishes protected with Resene Aquaclear for a more rustic look toolbox.

Styling and images by Fleur Thorpe. Aug 2022.