D.I.Y. shadow box feature wall

You can make whatever size shadow boxes you like to suit your wall but to make the job easier get your plywood cut at your local Bunnings Warehouse to these sizes: 

Back boxes x 3 (these will be fixed to the wall):
- 250mm x 150mm x 2
- 300mm x 150mm x 2
- 350mm x 150mm x 4
- 420mm x 150mm x 2
- 450mm x 150mm x 2

Back boards (these will be fixed to the back boxes):
- 450mm x 385mm x 1
- 420mm x 335mm x 1
- 350mm x 285mm x 1

Front boxes x 2 (these will be cut into the back boxes):
- 250mm x 100mm x 2
- 350mm x 100mm x 4
- 450mm x 100mm x 2

Because this box is going to be attached to the wall it needs a back. Apply PVA glue around the edges of the box. Place the 420mm x 335mm piece of plywood on top of the box. Make sure the edges are flush. Use the nail gun to secure the back to the box. Wipe away any excess glue.

Take two of the 250mm lengths of plywood and two of the 350mm lengths and assemble them into a rectangle shape. Apply glue to the edges. Use the nail gun to join the four pieces together. Wipe off any excess glue with a cloth.

To give the shadow box the 3D effect you need to cut slits in the first box to slide in the second. You can make the slits as deep as you want. To do this place the second box on top of the first, at the place where you want it to be. Mark on the edge of the first box where the second box sits. Use the square to mark how deep you want the cuts to be.

Put on your safety equipment. Set your jigsaw to 50mm and cut out the slits. Then use a hammer and chisel to clean up the edges and make them square.

Use the putty knife to fill any holes in the boxes where the nails are. Wait for the putty to dry and use the sander to make the surfaces smooth. You can repeat the above steps to make as many shadow boxes as you want.