Crate Projects To Take Advantage Of The Crate Craze

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Crates have become a popular trend in DIY projects, with people using them for everything from shelves to furniture. However, the cost of purchasing crates can add up quickly, with some stores selling them for as much as $15 apiece. In this video, Matthew demonstrates how to build two different styles of crates at a fraction of the cost using materials that cost only $1.64 per crate.

The first style is the most commonly seen in projects, with a solid end and slats. He shows how to recreate this style using a 1×10 board and strips cut from 2x4s. The second style is an all-slatted crate with corner brackets, which he came up with to see if it was possible to create a nice-looking crate using only one 2×4 board. With step-by-step instructions and cost analysis, he provides a clear and knowledgeable guide to building these crates at home.

Key Takeaways

  • Crates have become a popular trend in DIY projects, but the cost of purchasing them can add up quickly.
  • Matthew demonstrates how to build two different styles of crates using materials that cost only $1.64 per crate.
  • The step-by-step instructions and cost analysis provided by Matthew make it easy for anyone to build these crates at home.
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Crate Trend

The current trend in DIY projects involves the use of crates for building shelves, furniture, coffee tables, and more. The cheapest crate available costs $15 per piece, which can add up quickly if multiple crates are needed. The most popular style of crate features a solid end and slats, and is sold by a particular company at local stores. Another style of crate, with only slats, was developed by Matthew in the video and can be made for a cost of $1.64 per piece.

To recreate the popular style of the crate, he purchased a 1×10 board from Home Depot for $15, and cut it into 12 inch sections. Strips were cut from 2x4s, as the lumber is cheaper and cutting it reduces any bow or twist. The strips were cut to a quarter inch thickness and one and a half inches in width, with nine strips able to be cut from each 2×4. The handles were made by drilling holes and using a jigsaw to cut out the design. The crate was assembled with wood glue and brad nails, with a jig used to ensure consistent measurements.

For the Matthew’s own version of the crate, only one 2×4 was used. Two nine inch pieces were cut and then ripped into one and a half inch square boards. These were then cut at a 45 degree angle to create the corner brackets. Strips were cut to a quarter inch thickness, and the crate was assembled using wood glue and brad nails.

Overall, the trend of using crates in DIY projects offers a cost-effective and versatile solution for storage and furniture needs.


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Crate Prices

In the video, Matthew discusses the rising popularity of crates and the various ways people are using them, from building shelves to making furniture. He notes that the cheapest crate they could find was priced at $15 each, which could add up quickly if someone needed six or eight crates for a project.

The video then goes on to demonstrate how to build two different styles of crates. The first style is the most commonly seen style, with a solid end and slats, and is sold for $15 at a local big box store. He shows how to recreate this style for a lower price by purchasing a 1×10 board from Home Depot, cutting it into 12-inch sections, and using strips from 2x4s to create the slats. The cost of materials for this style of crate is $4.32 per crate.

The second style of crate is one that he came up with, consisting entirely of slats and corner brackets. Matthew demonstrates how to create this style using only one 2×4 board, cutting it into 1.5-inch squares and then ripping those squares in half at a 45-degree angle. The cost of materials for this style of crate is not explicitly stated in the video.

Overall, the video provides a helpful guide for those looking to save money on crate prices by building their own. By following Matthew’s instructions, viewers can create crates for a fraction of the cost of store-bought options.

Two Styles of Crates Introduction

In this section, the author will introduce two different styles of crates. The first style is a solid end crate with slats, which is commonly found in stores and costs around $15 per piece. The author will show how to recreate this style at a lower cost. The second style is an all-slatted crate with corner brackets, which is a design created by the author to use only one 2×4 piece of wood. The author will provide step-by-step instructions on how to make both styles of crates.

For the first style of crate, the author suggests purchasing a 1×10 board from Home Depot, which costs around $15 per board. However, if the user has access to a bandsaw, they can save money by purchasing a 2×10 board instead. The author estimates that one board can yield four crates, and additional strips can be cut from 2x4s. The crate dimensions are 9 inches tall, 18 inches long, and 12 inches wide.

To make the crate, the author recommends cutting the 1×10 board into 12-inch sections and cutting strips from 2x4s. The strips should be a quarter inch thick and an inch and a half wide. The author suggests making a jig to avoid repetitive measuring and using wood glue and brad nails to assemble the crate. The author estimates that the cost of materials for this style of crate is around $4.32 per crate.

For the second style of crate, the author recommends selecting a 2×4 with minimal knots to avoid weakening the slats. The author suggests cutting two 9-inch pieces from the 2×4 and then cutting them into 1.5-inch squares. The squares should then be ripped at a 45-degree angle to create corner brackets.

To make the crate, the author recommends cutting strips from the remaining 2×4 and assembling the crate using corner brackets and wood glue. The author estimates that the cost of materials for this style of crate is even lower than the first style, at around $1.64 per crate.

Overall, the author provides clear and concise instructions for making two different styles of crates at a lower cost than store-bought options.


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Material Cost

Matthew demonstrates how to build two different styles of crates. The first style is the most commonly used and is readily available in stores. He found that the cheapest option for this style was at Home Depot for $15 per crate. To recreate this style, he purchased a 1×10 board, which cost around $15. By cutting the board into 12-inch sections, he was able to get four crates out of one board. He also cut strips from 2x4s to use as slats for the crate. The strips are a quarter inch thick and 1.5 inches wide. He was able to get nine strips out of each 2×4 board, which cost around 3.28 cents per board at Home Depot. He used wood glue and brad nails to assemble the crate.

For the second style of crate, he came up with a design using only one 2×4 board. He cut two 9-inch pieces from the board and then cut them into 1.5×1.5 inch squares. The squares were then ripped in half at a 45-degree angle to create corner brackets. He also cut strips from the board to use as slats for the crate. He was able to get eight 11.5-inch strips and thirteen 18-inch strips from the board. He used wood glue to attach the slats to the corner brackets.

Overall, he was able to build both styles of crates for a material cost of $1.64 per crate. This is a significant cost savings compared to the $15 per crate for the first style that was found at Home Depot.

First Crate Style Description

The first crate style that Matthew discusses is one that is commonly found in stores, with a solid end and slats. The cheapest one that he found was priced at $15 a piece at Home Depot. To recreate this style, he purchased a 1×10 board that cost around $15, which can be cut to make four crates.

He also cut strips from 2x4s to use as slats, as they are cheaper than buying pre-cut strips. To make handles for the crate, he used an inch and a quarter bit and a jigsaw to cut holes in the slats, and then sanded them for a clean finish. The crate is assembled by using wood glue and brad nails, with a jig to ensure consistency in the strip placement. The cost of making four of these crates is about $4.32 each, which is significantly cheaper than buying them pre-made.

Material Selection for First Crate

Matthew in the video demonstrates how to build two different styles of crates. The first style is the most commonly used crate in various projects and is easily available in stores. He estimates the cost of a single crate to be around $15, which can add up quickly if multiple crates are needed. Therefore, he teaches how to make this style of crate at a much lower cost of $1.64 per piece.

To make this crate, he purchases a one by ten, which costs around $15, from Home Depot. However, he suggests buying a 2×10 instead to save some money. Using a bandsaw, he cuts the one by ten into 12-inch sections, which provide enough material for four crates. He also cuts strips from two by fours, which are 3.28 cents per piece at Home Depot, to make the slats for the crate.

He suggests cutting the two by fours into smaller sections to reduce the bow and twist in the lumber. The strips are a quarter-inch thick and 1.5 inches wide, and he cuts nine strips from each two by four. He then assembles the crate by attaching the slats to the ends using wood glue and brad nails.

Matthew recommends making a jig to avoid repetitive measuring. The bottom of the crate has five strips going across, and each side has four strips. He estimates that four crates can be made from a 1×10 and a two by four, which totals up to $4.32 per piece, much lower than the cost of a store-bought crate.

Cutting Process for First Crate

In the video, Matthew demonstrates how to create a crate that resembles the style sold by a popular company for $15 per crate. He purchases a 1×10 board from Home Depot for $15 and cuts it into 12-inch sections. To account for the curve of the blade, he cuts the board slightly shorter than 12 inches. He then cuts strips from 2x4s, which are cheaper than 1x10s. The strips are a quarter inch thick and 1.5 inches wide. He cuts 13 strips that are 18 inches long and 9 strips that are 11.5 inches long.

To assemble the crate, he starts from the bottom and places five strips going across the bottom. Each side of the crate will have four strips. He uses wood glue and brad nails to attach the strips to the crate. He recommends creating a jig to make the process more efficient.

According to he, using a 1×10 and 2x4s to create four crates costs approximately $4.32 per crate, which is significantly less expensive than purchasing them for $15 each.


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Assembly of First Crate

In this section, he demonstrates how to assemble the most common style of crate, which has a solid end and slats. The crates are sold for $15 each at a local Big Box store. To recreate this style of crate, he purchases a 1×10 board from Home Depot, which costs around $15 per board. The board is cut into 12-inch sections, and strips are cut from 2x4s to create the slats. The strips are a quarter inch thick and an inch and a half wide.

To assemble the crate, he uses wood glue and brad nails. A jig is used to ensure that the strips are evenly spaced. The bottom of the crate has five strips going across, and each side has four strips. The corners of the crate are made by drilling holes and using a jigsaw to cut out the handle. The strips are then glued and nailed to the corners to complete the crate.

By making the crate from scratch, he is able to reduce the cost of materials to $4.32 per crate, which is significantly cheaper than purchasing them for $15 each.

Cost Analysis of First Crate

The first crate style that Matthew discusses is the most commonly used style. This style can be found in many stores, including Home Depot, where it is sold for $15 per crate. However, he demonstrates that it is possible to recreate this style for a much lower cost.

To make this style of crate, he purchases a 1×10 board from Home Depot for $15. However, it is possible to save money by purchasing a 2×10 board instead and cutting it in half. He estimates that four crates can be made from one board, along with some strips from 2x4s.

The Home Depot crates are 9 inches tall, 18 inches long, and 12 inches wide. To recreate this style, he cuts the 1×10 board into 12 inch sections, leaving them slightly shorter to account for the curve of the blade. The strips in the Home Depot crate are a quarter inch thick and an inch and a half wide, and he uses construction grade 2x4s to make them. Each 2×4 can yield about nine strips.

To assemble the crate, he starts from the bottom and uses a jig to ensure consistent spacing between the strips. Wood glue and brad nails are used to secure the strips in place. He estimates that the cost of materials for one of these crates is about $4.32, which is significantly cheaper than the $15 price tag at Home Depot.

Overall, he demonstrates that it is possible to recreate a commonly used crate style for a much lower cost, making it a more affordable option for those looking to use crates in their DIY projects.

Second Crate Style Introduction

In this section, Matthew demonstrates how to build two different styles of crates. The first style is the most commonly used one, which has a solid end and slats. This style of crate is available in most stores, including Home Depot, where it is sold for $15 per piece. However, he shows how to recreate this style of crate for a lower price.

To make this style of crate, he purchases a one by ten board from Home Depot, which costs around $15. They cut the board into 12-inch sections and use strips from 2x4s to create the slats. The strips are cut to a quarter inch thickness and an inch and a half in width. He recommends using construction-grade 2x4s, which cost around 3.28 cents each at Home Depot.

Matthew uses a jig to ensure the strips are cut to the correct size and to make the assembly process more efficient. They use wood glue and brad nails to assemble the crate, starting from the bottom with five strips going across and four strips on each side.

The second style of crate is all slats with corner brackets. He came up with this style to see if they could create a nice-looking crate using only one 2×4. They cut two 9-inch pieces from the 2×4 and then cut them down to 1.5×1.5 squares. They then rip these squares in half at a 45-degree angle to create the corner brackets.

The slats for this style of crate are cut the same way as the previous style, with strips that are a quarter inch thick. He uses a jig to assemble the crate, gluing and nailing the slats to the corner brackets.

Overall, he provides a step-by-step guide on how to build these two styles of crates, with a focus on cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

Material Selection for Second Crate

In the video, Matthew demonstrates how to build two different styles of crates. The first style is the most commonly found crate in stores, which has a solid end and slats. The cheapest store that he found this style of crate was Home Depot, which sells them for $15 each. To recreate this style of crate, he purchased a 1×10 board from Home Depot for around $15. However, he notes that using a 2×10 board instead could save money since two-by-boards are cheaper than one-by-boards. By cutting the board into 12-inch sections, he was able to get four crates out of one board. Additionally, he used construction grade two-by-fours to cut strips for the crate handles.

For the second style of crate, he created a design that only required one two-by-four board. The crate consists of all slats and corner brackets. To create the slats, he cut the two-by-four into one-and-a-half-inch squares and then ripped them in half at a 45-degree angle. He also cut strips for the crate sides using the same method as the first crate.

Overall, he was able to create both styles of crates at a lower cost than purchasing them from a store. By using specific materials and cutting methods, he was able to reduce the cost of material for the second crate to $1.64 per piece.

Cutting Process for Second Crate

In this section, Matthew demonstrates how to make a slatted crate using only one 2×4 piece of wood. The materials needed for this crate are a 2×4 board, corner brackets, and slats that are a quarter inch thick.

To begin, he cuts two nine-inch pieces off the 2×4 and then cuts them down to one and a half by one and a half squares using a table saw. These squares are then ripped in half at a 45-degree angle to create eight corner pieces.

Next, he cuts the slats in the same way as the first crate, ensuring that they are a quarter inch thick. They then assemble the crate by placing the corner pieces at the edges of the 11 and a half inch slats and securing them with wood glue and brad nails.

Once the bottom of the crate is complete, he attaches the 18-inch slats to the sides of the crate, using the corner pieces to hold them in place.

This style of crate is more cost-effective than the first style, with the materials costing around $1.64 per crate.

Assembly of Second Crate

In this section, Matthew demonstrates how to assemble a second style of crate, which is made entirely of slats and corner brackets. This style was developed by he to see if they could get two crates of the same size out of just one two by four.

To start, two nine-inch pieces are cut off the two by four, which are then cut down into one and a half by one and a half square boards using a table saw. These square boards are then ripped in half at a 45-degree angle using the sacrificial board technique.

Once all the corner pieces are cut, strips are cut out in the same way as the first crate style, with all strips being a quarter of an inch thick. Eight boards that are 11 and a half inches long and thirteen boards that are 18 inches long are also cut.

To assemble the crate, the corner pieces are first glued onto one edge of an 11 and a half inch strip. Then, another 11 and a half inch strip is placed on top and bottom of the corner piece, and the assembly is secured using brad nails. This process is repeated until five strips are attached to the bottom and four strips are attached to each side.

Overall, this style of crate is made entirely out of slats and corner brackets, which makes it a cost-effective option for those looking to build crates on a budget.

Cost Analysis of Second Crate

The second crate style that he demonstrated is made entirely of slats and corner brackets. The goal was to create a nice-looking crate using only one 2×4 piece of wood. He recommends choosing a 2×4 with the least number of knots to avoid creating weak points in the slats.

To start, two 9-inch pieces were cut from the 2×4. These were then cut down to 1.5×1.5-inch squares using a table saw. The squares were then ripped in half at a 45-degree angle using a sacrificial board.

Next, the slats were cut in the same way as the first crate style, with each strip being a quarter of an inch thick. He recommends cutting the material down to a manageable size before cutting the strips.

For this second crate style, eight boards that are 11.5 inches long and thirteen boards that are 18 inches long are needed. The inside corners created earlier are then used to assemble the crate.

Overall, the cost of materials for this second crate style is significantly cheaper than the first style, coming in at approximately $1.64 per crate. This is a cost-effective option for those looking to create a nice-looking crate using minimal materials.

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