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| Forum topic by ryno | posted 262 days ago | 601 views | 1 time favorited | 19 replies | ![]() |
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262 days ago |
Topic tags/keywords: question I’m wondering what you guys prefer. I’m just designing in my head right now, but I’m wondering what you guys like for the thickness for the sides of your boxes. I’m thinking about boxes around 8-12 inches. Basically jewelry box size. -- It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt. |
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262 days ago |
Usually 1/2” for me. 3/8” will work well also. For a box that size, anything over 1/2 looks kind of chunky, but that can be okay depending on the look you are going for. -- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood" |
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262 days ago |
I like using 1/2” stock. It is thick enough for rabbets or putting splines in mitered corners yet does not look so chunky as Charlie said. -- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first. |
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262 days ago |
Usually i use 12mm but its what you feel is right to the project -- cut it saw it scrap it |
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262 days ago |
I most always go with 1/2 inch but when it’s on the smaller end of the scale I’ll use 3/8 inch. The majority are 1/2 inch, though. -- John, co-owner Sawdust 'n Stitches |
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262 days ago |
thanks guys, I was trying to stay away from the chunky look. there’s alot of boxes that (in pictures ) you can’t tell exactly how big or thick pieces are. thanks for the feedback, it was exactly what I was looking for. -- It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt. |
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260 days ago |
It really depends. There is no correct thickness. Different sizes will just give you a different look, and allow for different joinery. All my boxes are different thicknesses. -- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com |
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260 days ago |
ryno – this is exactly where Sketchup comes into play – try different variations of material thicknesses in your model, and see which one looks best for your plan. -- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route. |
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260 days ago |
i go on the fat side of 3/8. but by the time i am done sanding it is right there |
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260 days ago |
I posted a picture of a box recently that I think is quite nice. Here is the link. I think it is interesting that the box appears to have very thin sides but due to the curvature I believe it was quite thick to begin with; perhaps 3/4 when it was square. And the centre is still the full thickness. So although a thinner box may be more appealling for a basic design it really depends on what you are ultimately going for. Just wanted to through this in to keep us all thinking outside the ‘box’. |
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260 days ago |
1/2 is good for small boxes….Look in my projects…most of them are 1/2 or slightly less. If you want to see what a 3/4” looks like, look at the recent humidor I posted (its 10” long)....its WAAAYY too thick…. JC -- Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. -Carl Sagan |
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259 days ago |
I’m just completing my first boxes in 3/8 stock. If you intend to hinge the tops, make sure you can find 3/8 hinges. Otherwise use 1/2 stock-hinges are much easier to find. -- Gerry |
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259 days ago |
The box I just posted in projects has very fat sides, about 5/8”. However due to the proportions of the project, look of the wood, and probably other things it looks right. It all depends on design. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/14984 Typically 1/2” is where to shoot for, or thinner but that gets hard to work with. |
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259 days ago |
I really like to use 3/8” but, like Gerry said, the hinges are not easy to find. -- Gary, DeKalb Texas |
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257 days ago |
maybe because i spin wood as well but i perfer thinner stock.. and make my own hinges.. most people are surprised when the pick up a small box that is so light.. so i would weigh in about 1/4 under the other post.. (with a lathe, thinner is better) -- It's not a sickness, i can stop buying tools anytime. |
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210 days ago |
For band sawn boxes I have the outer sides and backs about 3/8. The top and the fronts of the drawers I usually go a solid 1/2” The top of the box and the front of the drawers are what get shaped the most to give the box its character. I do mostly band sawn stuff so can’t speak to square boxes, etc. -- Behind the Bark is a lot of Heartwood----Charles, Centennial, CO |
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210 days ago |
I like 1/2 inch also. -- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step. |
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164 days ago |
Here are some guidelines for box thickness that I found on a website: Perimeter of Box / Stock Thickness These are just guidelines but seem to work well. Jim |
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164 days ago |
I usually use 1/2” on most of my boxes and I agree with Jim, the guidelines he posted are what I usually go with also. Check my projects and you will see what 3/8 looks like on my small boxes and 1/2 on my larger boxes. Good luck and look forward to seeing some box projects -- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/ |
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164 days ago |
1/2” most of the time. -- When the tide goes out you see who's been skinny dipping. |
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