Build A Wood Crate - Crating Tool*

To Scale using : LOP = 4, HOP = 1.5, WOP = .75
For Your Convenience, Convert Fractions to Decimals: = .125

IF YOU CHANGE ANY DIMENSIONS OR SIZES OF ANY CRATING PARTS PRESS ALL OF THE 'CLICK HERE' BUTTONS AGAIN IN THE CORRECT ORDER TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE DIMENSIONS GET UPDATED

Dimensions

LOP = Length of Piece (Furniture or other object) *

= in inches to nearest 1/8 inch (in decimals)

WOP = Width of Piece (Smallest Size)*

= in inches to nearest 1/8 inch

HOP = Height of Piece(Middle Size)*

= in inches to nearest 1/8 inch

Cushioning/Packaging

Check here if your item is already packaged(you don't need additional inner cushioning)

Select thickness of individual cushioning piece (Ex: 1" thick styrofoam sheet) in inches to nearest 1/8 inch
Or Enter Here: in inches to nearest 1/8 inch

Select inches of cushioning** on each side: In Inches to nearest 1/8 inch
Or Enter Here: In Inches

(Note: If you're using styrofoam or soft foam sheets, you will need to cut them to size using a razor blade and straight-edge.)

Click Here To determine the foam sheet sizes you need to cut.^

Plywood
&
Firing Strips

Select Thickness of Firing Strip: In Inches to nearest 1/8 inch
Or Enter Here: In Inches to nearest 1/8 inch

Select Width of Firing Strip: In Inches to nearest 1/8 inch
Or Enter Here: In Inches to nearest 1/8 inch

Select Thickness of Plywood: In Inches to nearest 1/8 inch
Or Enter Here: In Inches to nearest 1/8 inch

Click Here To determine the plywood sizes you need to cut.

Firing Strips

Click Here To determine the length of firing strips you need to cut.

Final Dimensions

Assembly

Attach 4 firing strips to each side piece using staples or screws.
Attach 2 firing strips to top piece and 2 firing strips to bottom piece.
Attach the side plywood pieces to the bottom plywood.
Attach end pieces with the longest side of end piece vertical.
Raise end piece 1/8" (thickness of cardboard) off ground when stapled to side piece.
Insert end pieces of styrofoam into each side.
Insert bottom styrofoam sheet(s), pushing it to the bottom of the crate.
Insert side styrofoam sheets so they are flush with the side of the crate
Insert your object.
Insert top stryrofoam into place.
Attach top piece of plywood using only screws (NOT STAPLES) so the top can be removed by recipient.
If your crate is the be picked up by forklift, attach two more firing strips on top of existing bottom firing strips using 1.5" staples or screws.
If your crate is longer than 48", add three 2 X 4's to the bottom. These are the same length as your existing bottom firing strips.

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*Required Materials:

Plywood(usually 3/8" or 1/2")
Firing Strips (usually 3/4" by 1.5")1
Cushioning**(styrofoam or Softfoam Sheets Recommended)
Sheetrock Screws (Usually 1")
Saw(Usually Circular)

1Due to shrinkage the dimensions are often 11/16" (1/16 shrinkage) by 1.5"

**Cushioning is usually necessary to protect your piece of furniture or object. For example, UPS and FedEx usually require 2 inches of cushioning on all sides. Cushioning material is usually styrofoam or soft foam sheets. However, cushioning material can be rolled foam, bubble, blankets, wrapping paper, etc.

^Styrofoam Placement:

First, place end pieces of styrofoam to the bottom
Next place bottom pieces of styrofoam
Next place side pieces of styrofoam
Next insert furniture or other item being crated
Lastly, insert top pieces of styrofoam

^^Cut two additional firing strips for the bottom of the crate, so it will have 2 strips on each end of the bottom (four strips total for the bottom) if the crate will be lifted with a fork lift. This gives the fork lift enough room to fit under the crate.