Plate 101:  Creating boxes for unboxed items, Part 14: we make a simple box from scrap cardboard
(This plate added AUG 2004)

The box shown here is five inches long, three inches wide, and one inch deep. It was made from scrap cardboard. A seven-inch by five-inch piece of cardboard was cut from the back of an expended writing pad, and one-inch squares were then cut away from each of the four corners. --more--

Next, score-lines were made with a sharp knife at a distance of one inch inward from each of the four sides, and the one-inch wide edges were then carefully folded upward at the score lines. Finally, the four corners of the upturned sides were joined together neatly with small lengths of package-wrapping tape. The tape was applied to the outside of each corner, not the inside, because the upturned sides exert an outward force, due to the natural flexibility of cardboard. This outward force is resisted by the tape. This quick, simple method of construction will be used again and again as we make boxes for our collection. Go to top of page