How to Build a Sandbox

By: Chrystle Fiedler, This Old House magazine

Shopping List

Supplies You Will Need

1. Four 8-foot pressure-treated 2x12s

2. Two 8-foot pressure-treated ½x6 decking boards

3. One 6-foot pressure-treated 2x4

4. 2 square feet of ½-inch pressure-treated plywood

5. Steering-wheel cover

6. 3-inch deck screws

7. ¼x1-inch zinc fender washer

8. Two drawer handles

9. Two sets of 2½-inch stainless-steel butt hinges

10. Latex exterior stain

11. Latex exterior paint

12. Landscape fabric

13. 20 bags of play sand

Close
Tools List
Tools You Will Need
- Tape measure
- Triangular layout square
- Jigsaw with coarse, wood-cutting blade
- 4-foot bar clamps
- Drill/driver fitted with 1/8-inch bit
- Safety glasses
- Paintbrushes
- Shovel
- Steel rake
- 4-foot level
- Utility scissors
- Staple gun
- Compass
Close
Product Gallery
Product selections for this project
Close

Photo: Wendell T. Webber

Introduction
Overview
Steps:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14

1. Lay out and cut the parts

Cut one 2x12 into two 48-inch pieces for the grille and seat; cut another into two 45-inch pieces for the back and center crosspieces. Cut the decking into four 48-inch pieces for the hood and dashboard.

Shape the tail fins by cutting off one end of each side piece at a 15-degree angle, making the end come to a point. Cut out the 1⅝-by-17¼-inch angled notches for the doors on each side.

From the 2x4, cut four 11¼-inch corner supports and one 6-inch block for a steering wheel mount.