" This western red cedar storage box was built in a day, not only to provide convenient storage, but to double as an extra seat. Cedar's natural preservative make it perfect for outdoor projects. It must stand up to weather year after year. Here's how to build this storage box. This storage box is built from 1 8-foot 4 X 4, no down to 2 and 3 quarter inches. The rails are made of 4 8-foot 2 X 4s. The panels are made of 8-foot sections of tongue and groove board. Cut into 42 16-inch sections. The top is built from 2 8-foot 2 X 6s with lock miter joints and 3 8-foot pieces of tongue and groove board. Cut in to 16 14-inch sections. Let's start by building the top starting with the mitered corners. First, cut the boards to length. Place 1 board over the other forming the first corner, making sure that the joint is square and that the boards are flush with each other. Mark the edge where the boards overlap. On the second board forming the corner, draw a 45-degree line for the miter. Transfer this measurement down the side of the board and flipping it over. Carry the measurement across the bottom. Set a fence so that you're router will cut right to the line and set the depth of the router bit to 1/2 the thickness of the wood. As a precaution, wear both ear and eye protection as well as a respirator for this step. Start on the outside of the board and cut away the stock working your way right up to the line. When you're finished, flip the board over and mark a 45-degree line for the miter joint. Cut off to 45 degree corner and then using the edges as template. Transfer the angle to the other board. Set the fence and route the stock away on the second board. Dry-fit the lapped end so the 2 mitered sections forming 1 corner of the top. Repeat the process for the other 3-mitered lap joints. Now, we'll make a slot wide enough to receive the crosspieces. To do that, we'll use a special tool called the stack dado. The stack dado is comprised with 2 1/8 of an inch table saw dado blades stacked side by side to create a 1/4-inch groove. Cut a groove into all 4 top edges. Next, cut a quarter-inch tongue into both ends of each slide from the top of the box. Run each end through over a stacked dado set built out to 5/8 of an inch. You'll find that cedar being a soft wood cuts like butter and leaves clean cuts. Dry-fit the mitered lapped corners and slide the tongue- and-groove slats into place. When you're sure everything fits, glue each lap joint with a slats in place and clamp and let it dry overnight. Do not glue the slats. When the glue is dry, screw 3 1-inch screws into the 4 corner lap joints for extra-strength. The top is finished and we're ready to move on to the storage box."