I'm working on building a box and I'm curious about what material is best for the bottom. I've noticed that some people use thin plywood, but that ends up creating a lip at the bottom. Is there a better option or method to attach it so it looks nicer?
3 Answers
If you want a polished look, rabbet the plywood flush with the bottom edges. This way, the bottom panel fits snugly. If you're not too concerned about appearance, you could just glue the plywood directly under the sides and trim it neatly. There's a handy video by Matthias Wandel that covers this if you're interested!
It really depends on the size of your box. If it's something like a small catchall tray, I recommend gluing down a piece of 1/16" plywood to the bottom and chamfering it for a cleaner look. For larger boxes, go with plywood or solid wood set into a groove.
For smaller boxes, I've had success using 1/8 thick plywood. You just cut a groove in the sides and then do a rabbet joint to connect the corners. It really helps to conceal the groove and gives it a neat finish.