Project details
This is a butt-jointed box: the front and back overlap the ends of the sides, and the bottom sits inside all four walls. That is why the sides are 1.5" shorter than the box depth and the bottom is 1.5" smaller in both directions.
If you switch to 1/2" plywood, change the side width from 14.5 to 15 and the bottom to 23 × 15. The calculator does not know your panel thickness; it only lays out the finished sizes you enter.
Additional materials
| Part | Size (in) | Quantity | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lid cleats | 14" long | 2 | 3/4 × 1.5 hardwood | Keep the lid from sliding. Optional. |
Cutting sequence
- Rip 16" strips
Three 16" rips across a 48" sheet use the full width, which is what makes this box efficient.
- Crosscut the walls
Cut two 24" and two 14.5" pieces from the strips.
- Cut the bottom last
Measure the assembled walls before cutting the bottom if your plywood is undersized.
- Make more than one
Double every quantity to see two boxes laid out on one sheet.
Questions
How many of these boxes fit on one sheet?
Two complete boxes with lids. Double every quantity and the calculator lays both out on a single 4×8 sheet at about 84 percent yield. A third box needs a second sheet: three boxes total about 5,830 square inches of parts and a sheet has 4,608.
Does the box need the 3/4" thickness?
No. 1/2" plywood is plenty for a 24" box. Adjust the side and bottom sizes as described above.