Projects / Keepsake box plans / 6″ × 4″ × 3½″ tall

6×4 keepsake box

A 6-by-4-inch box with mitered corners, a solid wood lid and a ¼″ panel bottom.

AdvancedHalf a day6 parts1× board or ¼″ plywood
1×4 · 3½″ × 24″AABB1×6 · 5½″ × 24″C¼″ plywood · 24″ × 24″D

Cutting diagram

1×4 · 3½″ × 24″AABB1×6 · 5½″ × 24″C Lid¼″ plywood · 24″ × 24″D

Bright pieces are your parts; the dimmed wood is left over. Every cut allows ⅛″ for the saw blade.

Cut list

PartQtyWidth × lengthCut from
AFront and back23½″ × 6″89 × 152 mm1× board
BSide23½″ × 4″89 × 102 mm1× board
CLid14½″ × 6½″114 × 165 mm1× board
DBottom13½″ × 5½″89 × 140 mm¼″ plywood

How to build it

  1. Cut a ¼″ groove along the inside face of the side stock, ¼″ up from the bottom edge, to hold the panel.
  2. Miter the four sides at 45°: two at 6″ and two at 4″ on the long edge, so the grain wraps around the corners.
  3. Cut the bottom panel to 5½″ × 3½″ so it sits in the grooves with a little room to move.
  4. Glue the miters with the bottom in place, unglued, and clamp with a band clamp.
  5. Cut the lid to 6½″ × 4½″ so it overhangs slightly, then fit it with small hinges.