TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham is joined by home-maintenance expert Darcy Westlind, who shares a fun and easy project for making a cedar window box. This project will make a three-foot window box.
Materials:
power drill with screwdriver bit (or a screwdriver)
drill bits
tape measure
pen or pencil
handsaw
galvanized deck screws (approximately 20)
T-square
10-foot length of 1 x 8-inch cedar
8-foot length of 2 x 2-inch cedar
Steps:
- Cut the 1 x 8-inch cedar board into three 3-foot sections. Put the remaining 1-foot length of board aside to use for the end pieces.
- Mark a line three inches from each end of the 3-foot boards (figure A).
- Cut two 30-inch sections from the 2 x 2-inch cedar board. Attach the boards to the underside of the piece of cedar being used for the bottom of the box, with each end coming in three inches from the edge of the longer board (figure B). Insert the screws through the board into the 2 x 2s, which will be on the underside of the completed window box, raising the bottom by two inches. Drill a few drainage holes in the center of the bottom board.
- Pre-drill the holes for the screws. Drill the holes 3/8 of an inch from the edges of each long board and from the lines marking where the end pieces go.
- Set the bottom board on its side, and place one of the side boards on top. Screw the boards into the bottom piece using a power drill with a screwdriver attachment (figure C). Attach the board with screws at three points. Repeat on the other side, making sure all the pieces line up.
- Now is a good time to measure for the end pieces. The pieces need to fit inside the three boards (figure D). Attach with two screws on each side.
- Sand down any rough edges, and waterproof the inside by rubbing the wood with linseed oil or beeswax.
Hints:
- Choose a weather-resistant wood such as cedar or redwood for a window box.
- If using the window box for holding potted plants, the height and width of the finished box should be a little wider and taller than the biggest pot.
- Line the window box with a liner, planter or garbage bag (figure E).
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