Warning! this vintage ammo box into a coffee table project is a very long tutorial post with lots of pictures.
Vintage Ammo Box
This vintage ammo box as seen better days, for sure. Someone obviously didn’t appreciate it for it’s charm.
Clean Paint off Vintage Ammo Box
I attempted to clean off the paint with some sandpaper and mineral spirits. This was a slow process, but worked really well!
Make Needed Repairs
The hinges of this vintage ammo box needed some work as they had bowed.
Before I worked on the hinges, the clasp wouldn’t even come near closing.
Fashion a Bottom Shelf for Ammo Box Coffee Table
To get a bottom shelf, I found two old boards that I thought would work well.
I found a third one to rip to use as the side supports.
Prepare to Build Ammo Box Frame
Then I started dismantling the box ends were the rope handles are. You can see I have removed the one on the left. This was NOT an easy task. The nails were very long, and their points had been hammered over in between a set of boards that make up each end. Plus there were nails coming from the front AND the side.
See how the nail points were bent over? No wonder they didn’t want to come out! Looking at the rope handles I see that I need a channel for this thick rope to be reused.
I cut four end pieces, then clamped them together in pairs using quick clamps. This pair is clamped together, and clamped to the table to allow me to drill. I used a ¾ inch paddle bit.
I drilled down just to where the paddle bit narrows. Nice circle?
Now you know how to drill a semi-circle!
Look how nicely the rope fits in the board now.
Kreg Jig Pocket Holes for Bottom Shelf
I used the Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes for the bottom shelf.
I got real busy putting it together WRONG—and taking it apart twice. Needless to say, no pictures were taken. I had to work fast because I had secured it with Gorilla Wood Glue.
One of the things I had done wrong, was put the pocket holes on the top of the bottom shelves. After I had it together (working on it’s side) and put it on the ground, I immediately noticed I saw the pocket holes. THIS is after I got it all fixed up. I used three bottom supports to mimic the three boards on the top. I glued these and secured them with my nail gun.
Raise Vintage Ammo Box Table
You can see how I constructed it. I used two screws in each side piece. To get to this point, I used clamps, glue, and my nail gun. Using the nail gun is a great way to give a temporary hold until I could get the screws in place. I have several nails in each rope too.
Stencil New Lumber
Now it’s time to replicate the numbers that were on the smaller side pieces. I used my Portrait and some contact paper to make a stencil.
I painted it on, then sanded it back some because I didn’t want it to be crisp. You can also see I beat up the new wood pieces to age them.
Refresh Inside by Sanding
The inside of the ammo box was pretty dirty and grimy. You can see the board in the back has already been sanded. I used my orbital sander to freshen up all of the inside boards.
Stain Ammo Box Table
I NEVER take any pictures when I stain. Because I get so busy, and so messy, I don’t even think about it. I used a combination of Jacobean, Dark Walnut, with a touch of Mahogany. I mixed them all together, and gave a coat to everything. After that, I used some black paint to smudge the new wood some.
Seal with Wipe-On Poly
Everything got a coat of Wipe-On Poly inside and out.
I really like how the wipe-on poly gave a finished look to to the inside.
Isn’t the vintage ammo box coffee table pretty?
I’m loving all the original hardware!
It makes me wonder why it took me so long!
It’s a great table, WITH storage!
Does the Vintage Ammo Box Coffee Table Need Wheels?
Do you love it? Do you think it needs feet? Or Wheels?
I decided to add some metal casters.
I added wheels to the ammo box coffee table. They are medium sized, which allows for great mobility and they don’t raise the height too much overall.
On the inside I added two slow closure hinges. These serve several purposes. First, won’t it look great propped open if/when I decide to sell it. Second, it won’t slam shut on little fingers. Third, it supports the lid, as the old hinges would eventually loosen if the lid were to lay open resting only on them.
There is so much storage inside this coffee table.
I also did a coffee table out of a army footlocker
What have you made out of a vintage ammo box?
gail
I have my mother's boot camp locker from the 40's. She was a WAVE. It has a lot of wear. I would like to redo it. I saw a foot locker that was painted black and the hardware was "antiqued" with silver-but not silver leaf. It was so nice. It also needs a new leather handle.
wow! Theresa! That's an awesome piece of history to have. I'd have a hard time changing that very much.
gail
What great ideas. I have my dad's Air Force footlocker. It was my toy box as a child. He served in the early 1950s. It's 32"x16"x 13", painted white, has a late 50s decal on the top of a pink stuffed toy, and as the year, and moves have gone by, it has a lot of chips. I don't know if I should strip the enamel paint from it, just sand it down, or just use in as is. I would like to use it as an end table. I love the thought of wheels, but an end table is 22-24 inches tall, and that means that it would need to be 10" higher. I gave some thought to making an angle bracket base for it to sit on, and seeing if I could find some vintage or replica metal wheel or pullie for the bottom. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this project, because it's in line right after the sewing table refreshment stand, and of course I'm still refinishing thrift store frames for pictures down the hallway. So many ideas, so little time...
Jennie,
I like the idea of finding a base, I built a small base for a tool cabinet I got from my son-in-law that belonged to his dad. It's fun to challenge ourselves on bringing new pieces to the proper height.
I like the idea of leaving it as is. I wouldn't strip it (I'm too lazy).
I hope you can find a great base by the time you get around to working on it. I'm happy you still have something so cherished from your childhood!
gail
Genius idea and you done it wonderfully. I just purchased one that needs some TLC. Wish I was talented enough to do this. Who's knows? Thanks!
Jerm
I'm happy you stopped by to check out my Ammo Box Coffee Table. 🙂 Maybe you could just add some wheels to it.
have fun!
gail
Great idea! Love it!
Debbie
thank you Debbie! It took me forever to figure out what to do with it.
Excellent save. You are a master carpenter Gail... your skills amaze me 🙂
I used black pipes and fittings for the legs on the ammo box I found. It is a cool idea.
Gail, this is way cool! I love it even more with the wheels added! Sharing on Daisies & Crazies FB page. xo
Love it looks great! Inspires me even more to get my antique egg incubator transformed into a conversation table 🙂 Can't wait to get working on it!
I am so glad I came across your tutorial! I actually have TWO of these ammo boxes in my basement and have refused to throw them out for about 5 years! Finally I have an awesome idea on what to do with them!!!!!! Thanks so much!!!!!
I can not tell you how excited I was to find this post tonight! I have an ammo box exactly like this that I got from my parents. I've had it for years and used it at the end of my bed and now it serving as a makeshift coffee table. I have always envisioned my ammo box as a coffee table but had no clue where to start. After reading your post I am feeling very inspired and excited to get to work. Hopefully my ammo box looks very similar to yours when I am finished. Thanks again!
This is amazing !
I have two similar ammo crates like this, only they are small, any ideas on what can i repurpose them for?
SO cool! I'm all about repurposing a cool old piece of wood for a coffee table. Great idea, Gail! Thanks for linking up to the B&A party!
Love this coffee table. Can you tell me where you found those wheels? I need the exact ones for a tea cart I am going to be redoing soon.
What a great idea! I got an ammo box at a garage sale so coffee table here I come!
That is awesome. I picked up 3 boxes at a yard sale, I know what I'm doing with one of them.
Love it Gail.
Love it! I have one of those, what a great idea to make it into a coffee table. Casters would be good then you could roll it out of the way when you needed. I laughed when I read you put it together wrong twice...that is so something I would do! Oh, and your styling? So professional, and so proud of you 🙂
Love how you did the base--I want this!!
Wow absolutely love this!!