all you box makers

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"

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.

Usually i use 12mm but its what you feel is right to the project

-- cut it saw it scrap it

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

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.

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

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.

i go on the fat side of 3/8. but by the time i am done sanding it is right there

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’.

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

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

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.

I really like to use 3/8” but, like Gerry said, the hinges are not easy to find.

-- Gary, DeKalb Texas

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.

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

I like 1/2 inch also.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

Here are some guidelines for box thickness that I found on a website:

Perimeter of Box / Stock Thickness
less than 16” = 5/16” stock
16” – 30” = 3/8” stock
30” – 50” = 1/2” stock
over 50” = 5/8” stock

These are just guidelines but seem to work well.

Jim

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.
You may already have them but a couple of fantastic books I would recommend are:
Box Making Basics – by David M. Freedman…............. the best one to start with
Taunton’s complete Illustrated Guide to Box Making – by Doug Stowe…............ The master !!!!
Simply beautiful Boxes – by Doug Stowe
Basic Box Making – by doug Stowe

Good luck and look forward to seeing some box projects

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

1/2” most of the time.

-- When the tide goes out you see who's been skinny dipping.