The 12 Projects Of Christmas - Tree Stand Box

*This post is sponsored Kreg, all creative ideas and plans are my own.

Welcome back to those that are following our Christmas build series:
The 12 Projects Of Christmas - with KREG
And for those of you just joining in, you can find the first post of our series: HERE
(and be sure to follow along for more projects to come)

In the weeks ahead, we will be releasing 12 easy to follow plans for DIY home decor as well as gifts to build for others this holiday season. Our goal was to create a holiday series that is for the DIY enthusiast, weather you are a beginner builder or a master, these plans are for all skill levels and will walk you through how to use each tool.

This is the second project of 12, and today we will be sharing how to build this:
Christmas Tree Stand Box

LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE: Moderate Builder   BUILD TIME: Approx. 2 hours

Here are the tools you will need before you get started

Tool List:

KREG JIG K5

(2) KREG 3" WOOD PROJECT CLAMP

RYOBI 18 VOLT BRUSHLESS DRILL

RYOBI 10 AMP 7-1/4 IN. MITER SAW

RYOBI CORDLESS 18 GAUGE BRAD NAILER

HOME RIGHT FINISH MAX PAINT SPRAYER

HOME RIGHT MEDIUM SPRAY SHELTER

Optional:

 KREG'S MOBILE PROJECT CENTER

Material List:

(4) 2" x 4" boards

(3) 1" x 2" trim boards

Sherwin Williams - White Batten Interior Paint (eggshell finish)

1-1/2" BRAD NAILS

2-1/2" KREG SCREWS

Instructions:

Step 1: Laying your 2" x 4" board flat on the 4" side, cut one end of your 2" x 4" using your miter saw set at a 45 degree angle bevel cut (as shown). After one end is cut, flip your board over to the reverse side and then from the longest point of that angle, measure down your board 23-1/4" and make a mark. You will then make another 45 degree cut. Repeat this process until you have 12 identical boards. (Angles should be angled in towards each other.)

(before angles are cut)

(set miter saw to cut a 45 degree by adjusting the bevel handle on the back of the saw)

(place the widest part of your 2x4 board on the saw table & cut 45 degree angle)

(after you have cut one angle, flip the board over and slide the board to your right. before cutting the next angle, your board should look like this facing downward.)

(from the longest point of your first angle cut, measure up your board to 23-1/4" and make a line)

(you will then line up your saw blade with that mark and make your cut)

Step 2: (Note: On two sides of your box, your horizontal trim will line up flush, the opposite sides, the horizontal and vertical trim will be overlapping the flush trim, making the horizontal trim slightly longer. Here, we explain how these cuts need to be made.)

For the overlapping (longer) horizontal sides: Laying your 1" x 2" board flat on the 2" side, cut one end of your 1" x 2" trim using your miter saw set at a 45 degree angle miter cut. After one end is cut, flip your board over and then from the longest point of that angle, measure down your board 24-3/4" and make a mark. You will then make another 45 degree cut. Repeat this process until you have 4 identical trim pieces.

For the flush (shorter) horizontal sides: Laying your 1" x 2" board flat on the 2" side, cut one end of your 1" x 2" trim using your miter saw set at a 45 degree angle miter cut. After one end is cut, flip your board over and then from the longest point of that angle, measure down your board 23-1/4" and make a mark. You will then make another 45 degree cut. Repeat this process until you have 4 identical trim pieces.

For the vertical sides: Laying your 1" x 2" board flat on the 2" side, cut one end of your 1" x 2" trim using your miter saw set at a 45 degree angle miter cut. After one end is cut, flip your board over and from the longest point of that angle, measure down your board 10-1/2" and make a mark. You will then make another 45 degree cut. Repeat this process until you have 8 identical trim pieces.

(you now will need to re-set your saw. bring the bevel back to 0 degrees in it's original placement and lock into place. then, set your miter saw to a 45 degree by moving the miter latch)

(lay the widest part of your 1x2 board on the saw table & cut a 45 degree angle)

(you will then flip your board over to the opposite side and slide it to the right.
then measure the length that you need and make a mark.)

(you will then line up your saw blade to intersect with the corner of the mark you made for your measurement.)

Step 3: Before drilling your pocket holes, begin by first setting your Kreg Jig K5 to 1-1/2" and drill bit to accommodate a 2-1/2" screw.

Step 4: Begin drilling your pocket holes into the top and bottom 2" x 4" boards of your sides only. Drill 3 holes evenly spaced, each one should be leading into the middle board once you place them together.

Step 5: Screw your boards together using your 2-1/2" Kreg screws.

Step 6: Once your sides are assembled, you are ready to attach them together. To do this, you could use pocket holes to attach them, but this time we opted to use our braid nailer with 1-1/2" brad nails, shooting the nails into each end where the angles meet.

Step 7: (1) After your sides are securely attached together, lay your box flat on one side and place (2) of the shorter horizontal trim pieces and (2) vertical trim pieces flush so they meet evenly with all sides of the sides of the box. Nail down using 1-1/2" brad nails and your brad nailer. Flip your box to the opposite parallel side and repeat this process. (2) Once flush sides are trimmed, flip the box to the adjoining side, this will be where you add the longer horizontal trim. Your (2) longer horizontal trim pieces and (2) vertical trim pieces should overlap the trim on the joining sides. Nail in securely with 1-1/2" brad nails and your brad nailer. Repeat this process on the opposite side.

Step 8: Your box should now securely be put together! The last step is optional but it sure makes hiding those cords a breeze... Lastly, we used a 1-3/4" HOLE DOZER to drill out a hole in the back center 2" x 4" board.

Step 9: Fill all gaps and nail holes with wood putty. Then sand to smooth one dry.

Step 10: Lastly, you are ready for paint, or stain. For this project we whipped out our HOME RIGHT FINISH MAX PAINT SPRAYER and HOME RIGHT MEDIUM SPRAY SHELTER.

Now you have a beautiful box to display your Christmas tree in! This box fits most standard tree stands, but measure yours first before starting on this project to be sure.

Check out the first project in our series:

Shiplap Advent Calendar