American Flag Hidden Box

If you need a cool patriotic storage box, this is the thing to do. Super easy to build

·        7 – 1in x 2in x 8ft (lines)

·        2 – 1in x 6in x 6ft (box)

·        1 – 4ft x 8ft sheet plywood (back of the box)

·        1 – 1in x 12in x 3ft (union)

·        Worn navy stain, barn red stain (or stain of your choice)

·        Wood stain of your choice

·        Black paint

·        LED lights (optional) - link below

·        Electronic lock (optional) - link below

·        Gas Struts – link below

·        Cabinet hinges

I started getting everything measured and cut

·        Cut measured the 1x2’s to 5 feet and 3 feet. You need seven 3 foots and six 5 foots. The box I made 54’ x 22’. This makes it to where there is some overhang of the flag, for the lights and just for overall looks. Next, I measured out 54’ x 22’ for the big sheet of plywood. The union, I measured after I put the flag together and just made sure its level with the rest of the flag and it fitted properly.

Once everything is cut, I started putting it together. I did the stripes for the flag first because I wanted to make sure everything with that was straight and put together well. What I did:

·        Set up the planks up where I wanted them (the top 7 on top and all even on the right side and the 6 bottom ones also even on the right side so it sits flush with itself. I numbered the bottom of them from top to bottom, so I knew where they went after staining and burning

·        I burned the wood of the flag for looks, I would recommend it, but you don’t need to. Then I stained 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 red and left the even numbers just burnt. I just stained the face of the wood but on 1 and 13 I stained the outside, so it looks good.

·        Then I put them back in their order and started gluing. I went one at a time and then just clamped them all together.

·        Once they are glued together, I measured the union. I set it in the corner and got a straight angle and cut it and made sure it was flush with the stripes.

·        I stained it with the worn navy and then I connected that with glue as well as two tiny nails where the union meets the stipes in the corners. I used a stencil for the stars and painted them white.

·        Once the flag was all together, I painted the back of it black then I made the box. I put the short sides on the inside of the long pieces. And then screwed the plywood on the back.

·        After box was together, along with the flag, I stained the wood of the box.

·         Then I put the hinges on and got a ¼ of an inch spacer and then screwed the hinges in. 

·        Then, I put the gas struts on. Look at the directions and make sure the pistons clear the box when closing.·        Next, I attached the lock onto the flag and box. Keep the lock a little less than flush with the box and attach the locking mechanism to the lock. After that take the double-sided tape that comes with it and put that on the back then take the other side off and close the flag (MAKE SURE YOU MAKE THE MASTER CARD AND NEVER CLOSE IT WITH THAT IN THERE) After the locking mechanism is attached unlock the lock and then take the battery’s out and screw it onto the flag. After that is on, I adjusted the pistons to open and close properly. Just slide it along the screws to make it even and open and close properly.

·        After that I hung it onto the wall, using 2-inch screws and just drilled them into a stud. One on the top and one on the bottom of the plywood. Put screws on every stud that fits inside the flag. I had three you should have something similar.

·        Then I put the LED’s on and plugged them in.

And boom, you just made a wooden American flag and box. 

Gas Struts: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AHHCHBK/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_glt_fabc_1J8SPGM7A75WJMQMVBZC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

LED Light’s: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AHHCHBK/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_glt_fabc_1J8SPGM7A75WJMQMVBZC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Electronic Lock:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XJNQ5G7/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_glt_fabc_P3RFQV8V0S7Y8552XZVS