A simple 8 - beer crate (for gift boxes)

Now that Halloween is over, and Christmas decorations have only been in stores for about 8 months now, you may want to get down on some holiday shopping.

For about six months, a couple of friends and I started brewing our own beer.  We have gotten pretty good at it and decided that giving out some of our beer this Christmas to friends and family would be nice considering we already had most of the gift ready.  We thought it might also be nice to make some inexpensive sliding top plywood gift boxes to present our gifts in, and I thought you might like to know how I did it (because it was easy and fairly cheap).

Step 1: Gathering materials and supplies

Tools you will need or may want to make it easier:

1.  Table saw
2.  Drill with 7/8 paddle bit
3.  Random orbital disc sander
4.  Pin nailer w/ air compressor (OR) hammer
5.  Measuring tape

Materials you will need (keep in mind, I made 9 of these boxes, so I can't tell you exactly how much wood to buy for just 1.  I will give you the dimensions.

1.  1/2" Plywood cut to the following dimensions:
         a.  2 of 5" x 10"
         b.  2 of 11" x 10 1/2"
         c.  1 of 5" x 10 1/2"

2.  1/4" Plywood cut to 5 1/2" x 10 3/4"
3.  1" pin nails (OR) finishing nails if you are using a hammer


If you don't have a pin nailer and air compressor, you can use a hammer and some finishing nails - but it will be a little harder

Comments

[parafoil]

I'm curious about how well they hold up with out glue?
I've found my pin nailer is a good way to hold the wood together till the glue drys.
Have you tried pulling one of the boxes apart to see how well the nails hold?
AND how many 1" pin nails did you use per wood box?

[knoxmj19]

I haven't had a problem with durability, but usually use glue. I didn't really mean for these to be permanent, just quick and a bit fancier than a cardboard box. Glue would make for a nicer, sturdier box - as would using nicer wood than siding ply like I did.

I did stress test them a bit and if I really wanted to, I could break them, but with all sides attached they could still take quite a beating.

I used about 36 nails per box (5 along each edge). I just pinned each corner, then pinned the middle and put a nail in between each corner and center.

[JKPieGuy]

You should add some straw in there to make it look like something you'd find in an old crate. Plus it would help the bottles from smashing into each other.

[mikethegeek]

Very nice idea, great thing to bring over for dinner instead of the usual wine bottle.

[audreyobscura]

These came out really nice, I have a bunch of friends that make all kind of home-brewed concoctions, I will definitely be letting them know about this.