First Beer Box of Many

[NyQuil_Driver]

The cardboard 12-packs I've been using to store, stack, and lug my beer around have been getting kinda soggy and ratty, and I needed an excuse to play in the garage, so I decided it was time for something a bit more substantial.

I whipped this guy up in a day, out of some plain ol' select pine from the hardware store. The inside dimensions are about the same as a Smithwicks 12er, plus about a quarter inch in width and depth, and about an extra inch on top.

This is my first *real* woodworking project ever, and definitely my first shot at any kind of joinery, so all you pros out there, don't laugh

In the works is a lid, and Beer Box, Mark II, on which I may explore the world of dovetails for the bottom.

 

[RegionalChaos]

Did you route or dado out the joints? I've wanted to make bee hive boxes with similar joints.

 

[NyQuil_Driver]

I'm a masochist. I did the joinery by hand with dovetail and coping saws.

 

[RegionalChaos]

Hah, yes, sounds like a masochist! The box looks good btw. Nice and sturdy to. You should think about oiling it. The last guy here ran some Danish Oil on his wood boxes and they came out looking great.

 

[NyQuil_Driver]

I'm still trying to decide on a finish. A *real* woodworker buddy of mine is going to do some woodburning on the sides, then I'll stain or oil it.

 

[Prime]

Nice! One of my boxes fell apart recently. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[dingusmingus]

All praise the fingerjoint--pretty, strong, and relatively easy. (Unless you do them all by hand, like a lunatic!)

Looks great.

 

[NyQuil_Driver]

I'm not crazy, I swear! I just like doing things the long way sometimes. I had 6 hours to blow, so why not spend 'em tinkering in the garage, right? I'm one of those journey-better-than-the-destination guys, I suppose.

 

[Jester369]

Looks great!

 

[dukerutledge]

Have you thought of drilling some holes in the bottom to drain off any build up of condensation?

 

[NyQuil_Driver]

Due to a mismeasurement (AKA: I only measured once), I cut the short dimension of the bottom about 1/2" too short, so there's a 1/4" gap running down the long sides of the bottom. I'm betting condensation won't be a problem. Hooray for happy accidents!