Having the right tool for the job is half the battle. Finding good, convenient storage to make the tool easily available for use is the other half. Garden and yard tools are seasonal and have a tendency to find their way to the back of storage sheds and garages. Build a lean-to shed tool box on the outside of your house to store them. It will provide the shelter needed to keep rugged outdoor tools out of the weather and conveniently located for use. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Cutting the Pieces
1. Cut a bottom from ¾ plywood 20x72 inches. Cut a roof 24x76 inches. Rip one long edge off of the roof piece 3 inches wide. This is the hinge butt for your lid. Cut half the length of the rip, install two 2 inch utility hinges flat on top of the plywood, spanning the cut spaced evenly; then cut the other half and add two more hinges evenly spaced.
2. Cut a front 72 x 18 inches from ¾ inch exterior siding plywood, the pre-primed type used in shed construction. This can be purchased at any lumber yard or home center.
3. Cut 2 ends from the siding. Cut a piece 20 ¾ x 40 1/8 inches. Mark a point 18 inches from one corner along the long edge. Go to the diagonally opposite corner and repeat. Draw a line between the two points.Use a circular saw to cut the piece in half on that line.
4. Cut two 2x4s 13 1/2 inches long. Cut two 17 inches long. Cut three 72 inches long.
Assemble the Tool Box
5. Build a rectangle 20 x 72 inches with the two 17 inch and two of the 72 inch 2x4s. Attach the corners with 3 inch treated deck screws. Attach the bottom to the face of the frame with 1 ¼ inch screws. This is the base.
6. Attach the front to the half gables along their 18 inch front sides, with the exterior side of the paneling facing out. The front should set inside the gables, flush with the front edges. Predrill and use 1 ¼ screws to fasten the joints. Set the base inside this shell and attach with 1 ¼ inch screws.
7. Add the 13 ½ inch 2x4s in the open back corners. Stand the 2x4 on end, flush with the open back. Attach the 1 ½ inch edge to the gable end using 1 ¼ inch screws.
8. Add the remaining 72 inch 2x4 at the top of the open back end. Place the 1 ½ edge on top of the 2 corner 2x4s. Screw through the gables into the 2x4 using 3 inch screws. Reinforce the corners between these 2x4s with L brackets.
9. Attach the tool box against the side of the house by screwing through this top 2x4. For vinyl or wood siding use treated deck screws. For brick or masonry use tapcon style concrete anchors. Follow manufacturer's instructions for installation. Add the roof. Attach the thin ripped portion at the top by screws into the top 2x4 and the gable ends.
Tags: inch screws, inches long, with inch, open back, deck screws
