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Tissue box holder steps….

First I measured the exact size of a standard square tissue box.

It measured 4 ½ inches square and 5″ high.

Those measurements determined the size of the inside of the tissue box.

Wanting some space between the tissue box and the holder I made the inside of the holder 5″ on the sides and 5 ¼” high.

I used the piece of 3/16″ veneer plywood for the sides and top.

I cut all the sides at 5″ x  5 ¼” with the grain going the long way.

I also used 3 pieces of scrap 2 x 6 blocks cut at 4 13/16″ square. I glued these three together to make a square cube to keep the sides square when I glued them.

I then glued the sides together up against the 2 x 6 cube made from scrap, keeping them in place with a rubber band.

Once the glue set up I then measured for the top piece. It measured 5 3/16″

I cut the top on the table saw.

Then I measured the top for a middle mark and it came to 2 19/32″.

Once I had the measurements done in both directions I had a cross hair to go by.

I used a 2 ⅛” Forstner bit to drill the whole in the top. I also used a scrap block under the top when I drilled through so there wouldn’t be any chip out.

Once the top was drilled out I glued it on the sides.

I then cut a 45 degree angle on the quarter round trim for the top.

Then I held it on the top and marked where to make the cut on the other end of the piece

I cut that piece at the mitre saw with a scrap block under the quarter round to keep it square

Once cut I checked it on the box to see how it fit. I then made three additional pieces.

I glued them to the box and taped them in place with painters tape until the glue dried

Once the glue was set up I measured for the quarter round pieces for the sides. Theses measured at 4 15/16″.

I cut the sides and glued them on.

I then hand sanded the top and sides.

Once sanded I wiped it off with tack cloth and put polyurethane on.

Once the poly dried I used some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper.

I was happy with the finish so I put felt pads on the bottom and it was done.

Material list;

3/16″ veneer plywood

¼” quarter round trim

Elmer’s wood glue

Felt pads

Check out this project to see if you’d like to try it.

Trivet Project steps….

First I measured the exact size of the tile.

Then I measured the inside lip of the wainscot cap trim.

I doubled the above measurement and added it to the tile width.

Then I used the above measurement to cut the ¾” thick plywood (MDF) in my case.

I then cut a 45 degree angle on one end of the trim and held it up to the edge of the square ¾” board to mark the uncut end of the trim.

Once marked I cut the the remaining end of that trim piece and checked the fit.

Once satisfied with the fit I proceeded to cut the remaining trim pieces the same way. I didn’t use one but a stop block clamped at the correct spacing would have insured the exact replication of the remaining trim pieces.

Then I taped the trim pieces in place on the ¾” board and checked the angles at the corners.

I then placed the tile inside the four trim pieces to check for fit. In my case I needed to space the tile up by an ⅛”. I did this with scrap plywood cut to size.

Once satisfied with the fit of the tile I then attached the trim with glue and brad nails.

Then I cut the dowel in ⅜” lengths for the feet and glued them to the bottom corners of the ¾”board.

I then sanded the entire trivet with 120 grit snapper. Then 220 grit sandpaper.

Then I put the adhesive backed felt pads on the feet.

The next step was to put oil based polyurethane on the trim and bottom.

Once dry I then lightly sanded the top of the trip with 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper.

Then I glued the ⅛” plywood spacers in place to raise the tile up.

The last step was to put glue on the plywood spacers and set the tile in place.

That’s it.

This was a fun project. It could be done in a variety of different ways. Painting or staining instead of just putting clear on. Choosing different size tile. I went to a tile and granite place not far from where we live and asked about 6″ tiles. The nice staff let me go in back and look through the table of outdated samples.

I have given these as gifts and when I go to people’s homes and still see them in use I’m encouraged. (Maybe they just get them out when they know i’m coming over)?

Thank you again, Jay

Material list:

1 square of tile (6″)

1 square of ¾” plywood based on tile size. My 6″ square tile measured 5 13/16″

4′  of waynescap trim to be cut at 45 degrees to size of plywood.

1 dowel anywhere from ¼” to ¾” for feet

4 felt pads for feet

Less than 1 pint of oil based polyurethane for trip and bottom

Wood glue for project

Your favorite beverage (preferably with caffeine in it) haha.