As a part of our crate-making assignment, we used a variety of techniques we learned in class, including routing, drilling, sawing , and other post-processing techniques.

We decided to cut our own wood, which involved choosing our lumber to cut on the miter saw. We measured the pieces we would need using measuring tape and then cut out the 1×4 and 2×2 pieces of lumber into the dimensions indicated in the instructions. After this, we sanded the wood and routed the individual pieces of wood to create finished edges.

After this, we were able to start assembling the box. We put 3 of the 14.5″ long pieces of wood together as the bottom, and started assembling the first layer of our box. We decided to drill 3 screws into each side of the box to ensure that the 3 pieces of our bottom layer were adequately joined together. We joined the sides of our crate (standing pieces) together with one screw in each edge. After this, we had the base of our crate together and ready for further assembly! During the entire drilling process, we found the corner and table clamps crucial for ensuring that our wood would stay put where wanted it to while we were drilling.

 

We took a break from assembly to work on other design ideas. We started off with staining the 2×2 posts with a dark stain, with the intent that the rest of our crate would be that color. However, we decided to keep the posts black and keep the natural color of the wood by only staining with a gloss. Lee also used the bandsaw to create handle in our crate to make it easier to hold!

 

 

We then attached the posts to their respective positions in the corners of the box and used clamps to keep the posts and wood in place while we first attached the posts to the box by drilling them to the first bottom layer of the crate. After this was attached, it made it easier for us to connect the posts to the next layer of wood we added. We repeated the same actions used for the bottom by clamping the wood to secure it, drilling the wood to the post, and drilling the 4 pieces of wood together. We did the same with the third layer and finished our crate!

 

 

 

 

 

After this, we sanded our crate again before applying two coats of a polyurethane semi-gloss. The result wasn’t overly glossy but still fine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost Breakdown:

Cost Type	Cost	Price	Source	Quantity	Total
Materials	2×2 lumber 1×4 lumber	$4.98/ 8 ft $5.98 / 8ft	Home Depot Home Depot	2 ft 17 ft	$1.25 $12.71
	Screws	$12.38/ pack of 110	Home Depot	84	$9.45
	Sand Paper     1 qt. Polyurethane semi-gloss True Black Wood Finish Stain	60 grit = $9.97 / pack of 15 120 grit = $9.47 / pack of 15   $16.48 $10.99	Home Depot Home Depot   Home Depot Floor & Decor	1 1   1 1	$0.66 $0.63   $16.48 $10.99
Labor	Woodworking Operator	$18.20/hr	Zip Recruiter	2	$36.40
	Prototyping Engineer (You!)	$36.48/hr	Zip Recruiter	0.5	$18.24
Overhead	Facility Cost (Machine Time)	$10/hour	Tear Cap Workshops	4 hours	$40
	Quality Control	$21/hr	Indeed	0.5 hours	$10.50
Total					$157.31