Today’s Gift Trug tutorial is brought to you byJaime from Jaime Costiglio. Jaime is a talented builder. A trug to hold tools, books, utensils… Anything goes. But in this case it’s more than likely a toy trug. The open concave curve actually makes the trug much more user friendly than the caddy.
How to build a Trug
Step 1.
Using 3/8″ plywood cut pieces:
- 2 sides: 7″h x 12″l
- 2 ends: 8″w x 12″h
Step 2.
Draw curve on end pieces.
- (I used a plastic container top.)
Step 3.
Draw curve at top.
Step 4.
Use jigsaw to cut out curved parts:
Step 5.
Drill handle holes in end pieces.
I used 3/4″ dowel for the handle therefore a 3/4″ circular bit:
Step 6.
Construct. Pre-drill nail holes on ends to avoid splitting the side pieces:
Step 7.
Glue and nail, I used 1″ panel nails:
Step 8.
Cut your bottom piece out of 1/4″ plywood. Glue and nail to bottom using 3/8″ nails:
Step 9.
Slide handle into holes, mark about 1/4″ in from end pieces for dowel stopper holes:
10. Drill 1/4″ hole through handle at both ends for 1/4″ dowel stopper piece.
11. Paint. I choose to leave the interior natural and paint the exterior and handle two coats Behr signature blue.
12. Monogram.
Print out lettering (I used American typewriter font), position, trace letters with ballpoint pen leaving a slight indent in wood.
13. Paint inside indent.
14. Seal with Minwax clear satin poly.
Use and enjoy.
Detail of distressed edges:
This is a gift for our neighbor, hope he enjoys it!
Check out our other great gift ideas!
Jaime says
Thanks Sandra, makes for a great day. Can you tell my son is obsessed with Captain America?
Sawdust and Paper Scraps says
Not a bad role model! 🙂
The Celery Stock says
Great tutorial on this project. Think I will pop on over to your site and check it out…..Thanks
Anita @ GoingalittleCoastal says
These are great. And so easy to customize for different people. I never thought to use the little dowel stopper thing!
Beckie says
Love this idea for toting things around. Now to give the directions to hubby, ’cause I don’t do wood, yet! (LOL)
delia says
I like the unpainted natural wood on the inside. Great project!
1 Funky Woman says
Too cute, love the bright blue too!
Megan
Mariel says
This is really cute, we might be making some of these for the kids in our family for Christmas!
Crystal says
If I don’t have access to any type of tools will someplace like home depot or lowes cut pieces like that for me?
Sawdust and Paper Scraps says
In my experience, the big box stores will cut down a sheet of lumber and maybe make a few length cuts on “stick” material but they will not do any kind of shaping cuts with a jigsaw.
Christine says
Do you think it would still work to drill the (handle) holes on the outside of the edges and use cotter pins as stoppers? I am not familiar with dowel stoppers, so that’s the first thing that came to my mind…
My son’s a Bear Cub Scout and this might make a great (simple) tool box!
janet says
My husband has cut out two trugs from your great pattern. Easter gifts for our grandsons..now to put them together and paint. Where did you find the American typewriter font to trace onto the trugs, and how did you enlarge to suit the project? Thanks for sharing, and for your help.
Hello I Live Here - Linda says
Adorable! I need to make my little nephew one of these for his birthday!
Linda