Thanks Ryan, yeah i learned that even if your off work on Sunday & the hardwood dealer is closed it's still worth waiting until Monday to buy & get started. We've got a Petermans lumber out here that I've been very happy with so far, believe there's even one or two others I still need to check out, so no more wood from the big boxes.
Wema & Masterjer, yes Rockler's torsion hinge keeps the lid from slamming shut & it basically works like a lap top, where it stays where you put it. There is a formula on Rockler's page for them here:
http://www.rockler.com/lid-stay-torsion-hinge-lid-support-satin-nickel
While the hinges were about as much as all the lumber, it was totally worth it, especially for a kids project. A few notes on the torsion hinge: 1. make sure your wood is 3/4" thick on the back of the box (you'll see the "1x3" i got at home depot turned out to be just over a 1/2" thick & I had to use a shim to keep the hinge supported) 2. cut your lid to size before you buy the hinges the formula is (Lid Depth x Lid Weight in Pounds) / 2 = Suggested Inch-Pounds of Support. Then the calculator will tell you which rated hinges you need & how many.
Calculator here:
http://go.rockler.com/wizard_torsion.cfm
All in all even if it required some jimmie-rigging as the project progressed it was a cool learning job & I wound up being happy w/ the box, as did my nephew and niece who both immediately climbed inside it. Plans for the project are here if anyone wants to do the same box or deviate to preference:
http://ana-white.com/2013/09/plans/simple-modern-toy-box-lid
