Plans

Free DIY Furniture Plans to Build a Pottery Barn Inspired Chesapeake Ice Chest

06.27.12 By //
Project Image

The perfect way to keep cool this summer, this Chesapeake Ice Chest will work beautifully with the other pieces in the collection or on it’s own! **Built to accommodate a 10.5 gal. oval galvanized tub measuring 26-3/4” long, 15” wide, 9” high – available at Tractor Supply Company

Estimated Cost

$50-$75

Dimensions for This Project
Lumber
  • 1 – 1×2 at 6’
  • 1 – 1×2 at 4’
  • 9 – 1×3 at 8’
  • 1 – 2×2 at 8’
  • One quarter sheet of ¾” plywood
  • 4 – 2×2 at 21-1/4” – Side Panel Legs
  • 4 – 1×3 at 15” – Side Panels
  • 28 – 1×3 at 15-1/4” – Side, Front & Back Slats
  • 4 – 1×3 at 26-1/2” – Front & Back Panels
  • 2 – 1×2 at 26-1/2” – Bottom Supports
  • 3 – 1×2 at 15” – Bottom Supports
  • 1 – ¾” plywood at 16-1/2” x 28” – Bottom
  • 2 – 1×3 at 29-1/2” – Top Frame
  • 11 – 1×3 at 13” – Top Slats
Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1
Step 1

Cut the legs and pieces for the side panels. Set the Kreg jig for ¾” material and drill pocket holes in each end of the side panel pieces as well as the slats. Assemble at the spacing shown with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. The back of the slats and side panel pieces should be flush with the outsideface of the legs.

Step 2
Step 2
Step 2

Cut the pieces for the front and back panels. Drill pocket holes in each end of the pieces and assemble at the spacing indicated using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Attach to the side panels using glue and 2” pocket hole screws.

Step 3
Step 3

Cut the pieces for the bottom supports. Drill pocket holes in each end of the inner support only to make assembly easier. Attach the longer supports as well as the two pieces without pocket holes to the front, back, and side panels using glue and countersunk 1-1/4” screws. Attach the center support at the spacing indicated with glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. The bottom of the supports should be flush with the bottom frames of the front, back, and sides.

Step 4
Step 4
Step 4

Cut the piece for the bottom. Cut ¾” x ¾” notches at each corner. Attach to the supports with glue and countersunk 1-1/4” screws.

Step 5
Step 5
Step 5

Cut the pieces for the top. Drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter pieces. Assemble at the spacing shown using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws.

Attach the hinges according to the manufacturer’s instructions and attach the top to the bench.

Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

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