Creating a wooden tissue box with a sliding bottom is a relatively simple woodworking project, and it provides a great opportunity to practice some basic skills. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft your own tissue box with a sliding bottom.
Materials Needed:
- Wood (preferably pine or another softwood, for ease of work)
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper (120 and 220 grit)
- Saw (miter saw or hand saw)
- Wood screws (optional, for added stability)
- Small wooden dowels (optional)
- Wood finish (optional)
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Pencil
- Clamps
- Drill (for dowel or screw holes)
Tools:
- Saw
- Drill and drill bits
- Clamps
- Sandpaper or sanding block
- Wood glue
- Finish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Wood Pieces
Start by measuring and cutting your wood pieces. For a standard tissue box, the following dimensions will work:
- Top: 10″ x 5″ (or whatever the desired width and length is for your tissue box)
- Sides (2 pieces): 5″ x 5″ (height and depth of the box)
- Front and Back Panels (2 pieces): 10″ x 5″
- Bottom Panel: 10″ x 5″ (or slightly smaller to create a snug fit)
Cut all the pieces to size using your saw, ensuring that your cuts are square and even.
2. Create the Slot for the Tissues
Use a jigsaw or router to create the tissue dispensing slot in the top panel. The slot should be roughly 3″ x 1″, or larger if you prefer a wider opening. Make sure the edges of the slot are smooth by sanding them down.
3. Sand the Edges
After cutting all of the pieces, sand down the edges and surfaces to smooth out rough areas and ensure that your box fits together cleanly. Use 120-grit sandpaper for general smoothing and 220-grit for finishing.
4. Assemble the Sides
Take the front, back, and side panels and begin assembling the box structure. Apply wood glue along the edges of the panels where they meet, and clamp them in place. If you want extra stability, you can use wood screws or dowels to secure the sides. Let the glue dry for at least 30 minutes before removing the clamps.
5. Attach the Top
Next, glue the top panel to the box. However, don’t glue the entire top panel—you’ll want the tissue box lid to slide open for easy access. To achieve this, attach a small piece of scrap wood along the front edge of the top to serve as a stopper, which will keep the top from fully sliding off.
You can also use two small wooden dowels or screws along the back edge to act as rails for the sliding mechanism. These will prevent the top from sliding out completely while still allowing it to slide open when needed.
6. Make the Sliding Bottom
For the sliding bottom, use the same dimensions as the bottom panel, but make it about 1/16″ smaller in width and length, so it can slide easily in and out of the box.
- Drill small holes along the bottom edges of the tissue box’s side panels where the bottom will slide into. These holes will guide the sliding bottom.
- Alternatively, you can use wooden dowels to create a track for the bottom to slide along.
Apply glue to the bottom edges where the sliding bottom will sit, but avoid gluing the entire bottom. This will allow the bottom to move freely when you need to replace the tissues.
7. Finish the Box
Once everything is assembled and dry, you can apply a wood finish or paint to your tissue box, depending on your aesthetic preference. A clear wood finish will show off the natural wood grain, while paint can add color. Sand the box lightly between coats if you’re applying a finish.
8. Add the Sliding Mechanism (Optional)
For extra finesse, you can install small wooden guides along the inside of the box, where the sliding bottom will move. This can make the sliding motion smoother and prevent the bottom from tilting or shifting unevenly.
9. Test and Adjust
After everything is dry and finished, test the sliding bottom to ensure it works as intended. If it’s too tight, lightly sand the edges of the bottom panel to reduce friction. If the bottom doesn’t slide easily enough, check to ensure your tracks or dowels are properly aligned.
Conclusion
You’ve now created a functional wooden tissue box with a sliding bottom! This simple project can be customized to suit any style, whether you choose to stain, paint, or leave it natural. Plus, with the sliding bottom, it’s easier to change the tissues when needed.
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