How to Build a Wooden Cooler Box

Select the wood you want to use for the cooler box. Pine is a good choice because it sands easily and stains well. Choosing a wood with some grain showing can add a nice texture.

Cut four 36-inch long boards, each 12 inches wide.

Cut two 12-inch square boards for the ends of the cooler. Drill two 3/8-inch holes into the boards if you want to add rope handles. Drill the holes into the center of the board about five inches apart.

Sand the boards, first with coarse sandpaper and then with fine sandpaper. This should remove any rough edges and smooth out all the wood.

Attach the square end boards to the long side boards by nailing or screwing them together. Make sure all the board edges are flush together before you attach them. If they don't fit snugly sand them more until they do.

Secure the long boards to each other by nailing two or three nails along the edges of the boards. Once you've completed this you should have a three-sided box with an open top.

Put the final long board on top of the cooler, making sure it fits well. Attach one hinge about a foot from the left edge by nailing or screwing it into the top of the side board. Repeat the same thing with the second hinge about a foot from the right end.

Test the lid to make sure it opens and closes without any trouble. Adjust the hinges until it works smoothly.

Add the optional rope handles by cutting two one-foot pieces of rope. Knot one rope and pull it through one holes in the end board. Then pull it back through the second hole and tie knot at the other end. Repeat this process on the other end with another piece of rope.

Line the interior of the box with three or four layers of heavy-duty trash bags. Attach the trash bags with thumbtacks, making sure to leave extra slack at the bottom so the bags won't pull off the tacks. The trash bags provide water protection for the cooler. Replace trash bags whenever they become damaged or worn.