Hello everyone,

I hope everyone had a great and Blessed Thanksgiving. Here are some pictures of todays beginning of constructing a toy box for my grandson for Christmas. Not the best pics. 
 

my question(s) are for the floor of it I am going to run Cedar from front to back. What would be the best way to re-enforce it to withstand the weight of the toys? Same thing for the lid because I am sure he will want to sit on it.  Thank you!

 

Lookin' good, Kevin!

 

If you have the tools, maybe tongue and groove might be the way to go.

That's a great job!  I really like cedar.  I made a similar chest for my kids when they were little.  I used 3/4 ply in dado's for the bottom and then lined it with T/G cedar closet liner.  Matched the rest of the wood, but much stronger. 

 

.40

Thanks Lew and Forty Caliber!

 

Can I still cut a groove with it assembled? 

36 minutes ago, KevTN said:

Thanks Lew and Forty Caliber!

 

Can I still cut a groove with it assembled? 

If it’s already assembled, you could add a cleat around the inside at the bottom and set a plywood piece on it. Then add the cedar on that 

Thank you Lew

12 hours ago, lew said:

If it’s already assembled, you could add a cleat around the inside at the bottom and set a plywood piece on it. Then add the cedar on that 

 

X2 @lew's suggestion

The bottom structure will have a lot more potential load.  Feet at each corner and a couple in the middle will distribute the stress.  Runners would do the same.  For the lid, a couple of reinforcing strips under the planks would also do.  Toys are not the critical design weight:  younger brothers being stuffed into the box usually represent maximum stress.

 Soft close toy box hinges keep little fingers safe.

56 minutes ago, DuckSoup said:

 Soft close toy box hinges keep little fingers safe.

+1 to what Bob says. He was on top of it...beat me to the line.

Maybe even more important than the reinforced structure. Not only saving little hands and fingers, but the chance for head/neck injuries even to suffocation.

 

Love the use of cedar Kevin. Thanks for sharing

that's a fancy box for children's toys.

 

cut some holes in it, and it becomes a fort!

10 hours ago, PeteM said:

The bottom structure will have a lot more potential load.  Feet at each corner and a couple in the middle will distribute the stress.  Runners would do the same.  For the lid, a couple of reinforcing strips under the planks would also do.  Toys are not the critical design weight:  younger brothers being stuffed into the box usually represent maximum stress.

Well no little siblings lol Thanks for the advice.

5 hours ago, DuckSoup said:

 Soft close toy box hinges keep little fingers safe.

Yep when it comes time that is a given. Thank you

I have two boys and I guarantee you will have children inside the toy box  so prepare. I used the soft close hinges from Rockler, very strong.

 

What did you use form the corner joints? looking good so far.

21 hours ago, Gerald said:

I have two boys and I guarantee you will have children inside the toy box  so prepare. I used the soft close hinges from Rockler, very strong.

 

What did you use form the corner joints? looking good so far.

Thanks Cal…I used mahogany. I will re-enforcing the inside and trimming it out with it too.

Got the bottom completed. Tomorrow if the rain holds off I will re-enforce the corners on the inside. Bottom I did 3/4 mdf cut to size. I resawed some cedar glued and brad nail them. Trimmed out with some walnut.

One heck of a toybox.  My toybox was a Jack Daniels box from the liquor store.  Dad duct taped the corners a few times to hold it together.  

3 minutes ago, Gunny said:

My toybox was a Jack Daniels box

You had toys!?!?  We just got the box to play with!!!!

Looks great Kev!  With 3/4" MDF & cedar on the bottom you may have to beef up the floor wherever it ends up!

10 hours ago, Gunny said:

One heck of a toybox.  My toybox was a Jack Daniels box from the liquor store.  Dad duct taped the corners a few times to hold it together.  

Hmmmm Jack Daniels IS just a couples away