DIY Child Sized Wooden Caddy
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!
Adorable! I need to make my little nephew one of these for his birthday!
Linda
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.
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!