Building a "box" requires 6 sides, each dimensioned accurately so that when assembled the joints are "tight", that is able to be sealed. With your miter box you will be able to cut to length boards of some width. You will need to find a way to rip those boards to width in order to start.
Can you find a way to do that?
Can you find a way to do that?
Depending on the design, you can possibly get boards in close enough to the correct width. This would be the dimension front to rear.
MAybe you willl have to adjust the size of the box a little if the depth of the design isn't the same as readily available lumber/ If its close then you can adjust the height or width of the front and back to compensate.....so the internal volume remains the same...
It would help if you tell us if you have a particular design in mind?
MAybe you willl have to adjust the size of the box a little if the depth of the design isn't the same as readily available lumber/ If its close then you can adjust the height or width of the front and back to compensate.....so the internal volume remains the same...
It would help if you tell us if you have a particular design in mind?
My experience has been that places like Home Depot don't cut wood accurately enough to build a box that fits together tightly. You might see if there is a smaller shop of some kind in your town, call and ask ahead of time if they will cut to spec for free or for a reasonable cost.
Of course if you end up with dimensions that match lumber in "off the shelf" sizes as Variac is suggesting, it will be less of a problem.
Of course if you end up with dimensions that match lumber in "off the shelf" sizes as Variac is suggesting, it will be less of a problem.
You don't need to spend much money to make a flexible clamping system.
Buy a cheap tape type rachet tie-down set, similar to that used by truckies but much lighter. Normally used on household trailers.Nylon tape used on these is about 1 inch wide and stretches nicely but holds firm. I got a set of 4 for $10.
Cut corner pieces about 2 inches long from aluminium right angle section, say 2 by 2inches or whatever is in the scrap bin. Choose a section with a sharp internal corner. If you want to be fancy glue plastic corner protectors as used on palets of plywood to protect the nylon tape. to let it slide around the corners, and to help hold it in position.
Join the hooks at each end of the tie-down to form a loop. This loop goes around the box, over the corner pieces in a similar fashion to the pro clamp above, and is tightened by the ratchet. Use at least two clamps per box, and take care not to overtighten.
The hard part is to position the box sides while tightening the clamp. I simply use an internal piece to hold the shape roughly square then tape the preglued sides together with masking or other stretchy tape into a rectangular tube, standing it vertical. Then position the corner pieces at the bottom, wrap the nylon around and tighten gentlywith the ratchet. If a small box, turn upside down and repeat. Otherwise get someone to help with the top clamp. Remove tape.
Buy a cheap tape type rachet tie-down set, similar to that used by truckies but much lighter. Normally used on household trailers.Nylon tape used on these is about 1 inch wide and stretches nicely but holds firm. I got a set of 4 for $10.
Cut corner pieces about 2 inches long from aluminium right angle section, say 2 by 2inches or whatever is in the scrap bin. Choose a section with a sharp internal corner. If you want to be fancy glue plastic corner protectors as used on palets of plywood to protect the nylon tape. to let it slide around the corners, and to help hold it in position.
Join the hooks at each end of the tie-down to form a loop. This loop goes around the box, over the corner pieces in a similar fashion to the pro clamp above, and is tightened by the ratchet. Use at least two clamps per box, and take care not to overtighten.
The hard part is to position the box sides while tightening the clamp. I simply use an internal piece to hold the shape roughly square then tape the preglued sides together with masking or other stretchy tape into a rectangular tube, standing it vertical. Then position the corner pieces at the bottom, wrap the nylon around and tighten gentlywith the ratchet. If a small box, turn upside down and repeat. Otherwise get someone to help with the top clamp. Remove tape.
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