Let’s take a box. An ordinary box with a lid. Let’s add wheels. This simple box can be used throughout your home, and will prove more useful than you think.

Simple boxes are easy to come by. You can start with a plain one and decorate and accessorise it as you like. We were a bit more ambitious, and the wonderful people at Builders Warehouse Rivonia gave us a hand making our own from scratch. They provided the materials, the instructions and a few friendly tips.

YOU WILL NEED

Materials
l in 16mm Supawood (MDF), 2 each of: 900mm x 450mm (lid and bottom) l 900mm x 418mm (front and back) l 418mm x 418mm (two sides)

Hardware
6mm x 41mm drywall screws
 8mm x 16mm chipboard screws
 wood glue
l 4 x 50mm castors with turning bases
wood primer
acrylic PVA paint (white)
1 pair 50mm hinges
1m length brass chain
sandpaper

Equipment
cordless drill
tape measure
2.5mm drill bit
counter-sinking bit
25mm speed bit
small paintbrush
medium foam roller
sharp pencil

Dimensions: 900mm x 450mm x 450mm

Step 1
Get your local Builders Warehouse to cut the boards to the correct sizes for you. Rest the front and back pieces on the top or the bottom one and line them up on either side. Draw a line to show where they line up. With the 2.5mm drill bit, drill 4 holes, spaced equally, between the line and the edge of the bottom piece. Countersink them to sink the head of the 6mm x 41mm drywall screws. Do this to both sides and screw them together and squeeze wood glue between the joints.

Step 2
Using the 2 side pieces, do the same as step 1 by lining up and drilling the hole for the screws. Do this to both sides of the box. Screw both sides fast to the bottom, front and back, creating a complete box.

Step 3
Now take the top piece, make the hinges 150mm from either side and screw them fast, line it up to the box to create the lid of the box. Mark off and screw the lid to the box. Unscrew the lid to make painting easier and drill 2 holes with the 25mm speed drill bit for finger holes.

Step 4
Prepare the box for painting by sanding all the edges and joints, giving them a slightly rounded edge. Dust off well. Then, using the foam roller, apply the wood primer to the box and lid – this will be the undercoat before applying the final coat. Allow the full recommended drying time for both the wood primer and acrylic PVA. When totally dry, apply the final coat.

Step 5
When the paint is completely dry you can start putting the lid and castors on. Take the castors, marking them off on the bottom of the box on all 4 corners, and drill pilot holes with the 2.5mm drill bit. Use the 8mm x 16mm chipboard screws to mount the castors to the box. The castors will allow you to move the box around freely. Lastly, screw the lid back onto the box in the hole prepared in step 3. Using the length of brass chain, mount it to the inside of the box and the inside of the lid. This will stop the lid from lowering all the way back.