Shop update #309 (10-4-23) Scent Boxes

I good friend of mine works for the K9 unit of a local security company and asked me if I could build some scent boxes for him. I looked them up and determined that I could make them for him.

I went to Home Depot and had them cut down 2 sheets of 3/4″ plywood in a total of 8 – 2’x4′ panels. I needed 4 1/2 of these panels to make 6 scent boxes.

They were out of the cabinet grade 3/4″ ply.  I was already running late on this project so I went ahead and spent the extra $10 per sheet to get the next grade up so the plywood is way nicer than it needs to be.

I cut all the panels down to size on the table saw.

I gave the box a dry fit to make sure everything looked correct.

I tacked the first box together using brad nails and then tested the fit on the 1 removable panel.

I then drew a center mark and drilled a 1″ hole with a spade bit.

I tacked the rest of the boxes together and drilled out the 1″ hole in each.

I then went back and predrilled and drove in 1 5/8″ deck screws to secure all the panels for the boxes.

The next step was to make the 4″ hole in the front face for the dogs to smell the different scents in each box.  I used my 4″ hole saw and hammer driver to make the holes.

I used my trim router to put a 1/2″ roundover on both sides of the 4″ hole.

I gave the outside of each box a quick sanding with 120 grit sandpaper and called them done.

I did not use any glue or finish on the boxes per direction as apparently it can confuse the dogs with the extra smell.  It felt very weird constructing the boxes with no glue.

If anyone is interested in building a scent box of their own, please leave a comment and I can build some plans for them.