Stacking Boxes?

[JR]

I've been trying to hone my box making techniques, with a view to etablishing a "production" process. I made these three boxes using common setups for cutting length, corner reinforcements, lid height, etc. They were cut from from a single 3' length of 8/4 walnut, plus alder and oak shop scraps.

I made them with simple lift-off lids.



Each one has a small removable tray.



I discovered that a by-product of using the common setup for all boxes is that they can be stacked. At first I thought this was pretty cool, but I'm starting to think it's a feature looking to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Do you think there is a good reason to build a stackable version? It would entail making the lower boxes without lids, which simplifies their construction, but means they would never have lids. It also would mean that matching the grain would be a lot more challenging.

Thoughts?



TIA,
JR

[LCHIEN]

stacking useful for expandable jewelry boxes...

[Uncle Cracker]

Nice work. I like the stacking feature; it'll keep them from sliding off each other and falling on your head if you are putting them on or taking them off a shelf.

[cabinetman]

Nice work on those boxes. There's a lot to be said for both ways. That's a tough decision. I think a single box is more of a keepsake. If it's possible to get somewhat of a match, make extra lids for the stackables.
.

[JR]

If it's possible to get somewhat of a match, make extra lids for the stackables.

Lids present a fairly sizable extra complexity. You have to let a panel into the sides, do the corner brace, then cut it off the box. For that reason I don't want to spend the time on lids that won't be used.

stacking useful for expandable jewelry boxes...

LOML said that, too. I was not sold that a woman would put up with the hassle of stacking and un-stacking as compared to regular drawers. The little sliding boxes inside, as I did on these boxes, would fit theme well, though.

Thinking about it now, it would seem the only good way to do this would be to resaw a fairly wide board, then slice it up into box components, with only one being built to have a lid. I'd get the matching grain in the stacked mode that way.

Probably the hardest part would be to determine beforehand what the height of the box-with-lid-when-removed will be so the others can be made the same height. That's a harder task than it might seem. I guess I tend to just kind of slice things up as they present themselves.

JR

[phi1l]

Maybe you could put them together in a fold out fashion like tackle box trays with a substantial base. Sort of like this: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...set=ISO-8859-1

[pelligrini]

At first I thought this was pretty cool, but I'm starting to think it's a feature looking to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Do you think there is a good reason to build a stackable version? It would entail making the lower boxes without lids, which simplifies their construction, but means they would never have lids. It also would mean that matching the grain would be a lot more challenging.

Those are really sharp! Nice job.

I love stacking boxes. I employ them in my shop quite a bit. I didn't bother making a lid for them. http://www.bt3central.com/showpost.p...2&postcount=18 They just go back in any particular order. Not quite the same looks, but it's just shop stuff.

I've been thinking of making finished set for my little man stuff, like; lighters, cuff-links & tie-tacks, pens, pocket knives etc. Maybe another set for my office to hold all my assorted little computer parts.

You'd really only need one lid.