
	Intro: Before you begin Step 1: Measure and cut the wood Step 2: Assemble the window box Step 3: Line and seal the window box Step 4: Hang the window box (optional)








	Lay out newspaper over your work area to avoid glue drips. You can wipe up any drips that get on the wood with a damp sponge. To match the drill bit with your screw size, hold up the screw next to the bit. The screw should be slightly larger in diameter.

2torial #0613:
Learn2 Build a Window Box (continued)

Assemble the window box

Now it's time to screw (or nail) your pieces together. Start with the front and back pieces, and mark the points along the bottom of the board into which you'll drill or nail. If the boards are the standard 3/4-inch (2-centimeter) thickness, make your marks about 3/8 of an inch (1 centimeter) from the board's edge. For a 32-inch (81-centimeter) board, these marks should be about 8 inches (20 centimeters) apart. Insert the nails or screws into each point so they're perpendicular with the board, and stop when they just pierce through the other side.

Take your bottom piece and smear a line of wood glue over one of its long edges (it doesn't matter which one). Lay the piece on a flat surface so the opposite (non-gluey) edge is braced against something secure, like a wall. Butt the gluey edge against the bottom of the front or back piece, on the side where the nails or screws will enter. This should form an "L" shape. Hold the L shape steady and drill in the screws (or hammer in the nails) along the bottom edge.

When you're finished, repeat this step for the other side of the bottom piece--you'll be bracing the L against the wall, applying glue, then screwing or nailing in the other piece to form a U. The glue should still be wet when you insert the screws or nails.

Smear a 1/2-inch (1.25-centimeter) wide line of glue along the three inside edges of both ends of the U, then slip the side pieces into these spaces.

Lay the box on its side (longways) and mark off the points along the sides of the front or back piece where you'll screw or nail (for an 8-inch or 20-centimeter width, they should have three secured points). Hammer in the nails or drill in the screws. Flip over the box to secure the other side.

Finally, flip the box so its bottom faces upward and add a couple of nails or screws to each end of the bottom piece, so they're secured to the side pieces.

Now all that's left is to seal it, line it, fill it, and hang it or place it somewhere.

Step 3