[williamkwong]

Hi everyone! I have a quick question on how I can best do this. I want to make 160 wedding favors. I am planning on giving away small succulent plants in a small wooden planter box. It would probably be too much for me to make them out of piece of wood. So I thought to get some 4x4s and cut them to height. With the 4x4x4 (3.5x3.5x3.5") block, I was thinking of craving out the middle to create the planter box.

I have a Bosch router and table but I have not seen a bit that can go deep enough to make the cut. I would probably want it to cut at least 3" deep to leave .5" for the bottom of the planter. Also, would this be very stressful for the router? It is pretty brand new and I am sorta babying the thing!

I also thought of getting an inexpensive drill press, however, with a drill I cannot move laterally and make straight lines. I would be left with a bunch of circles.

With my tools and what is out there, what is the best way of doing this?

Thanks!

 

[fire65]

I think I would have to go with a drill press and forstner bit, you will have round ends but should be able to get a pretty straight line by drilling multiple holes.
I guess you could also do it like a bandsaw box, but that would be a lot of work for 60 of them.

 

[CNYWOODS]

If you thought production. I would take 4 6-7' boards. Do glue up of all the box sides, cut them to length and pop in a bottom with a few nails.

 

[cabinetman]

If you can live with a round hole, use a hole saw. Leave minimum bit protrusion, and make two passes down and chip out the waste with a chisel.

.

 

[Steve Neul]

3" deep is pretty difficult to route out. I think it would be easier to cut and miter thin stock and assemble the planter boxes. If the parts fit well you wouldn't have to nail it, the joints could be put together with titebond III held together with masking tape.

 

[dodgeboy77]

I'm with Fire on the Forstner bit. You're going through softwood so It should cut without too much trouble (if your DP has enough grunt). Then leave the hole round or chisel the corners. If you had a mortiser, that's another corner option.

Bill

 

[Reclaimed Wood Blog]

the Forstner bit has my vote.

http://reclaimedwoodblog.com/

 

[OMC-TRIPLE-X]

I would rip the 4x4's in half, cut the boxes to length, carve out the centres on your router, and glue the two halves back together.

 

[phinds]

I would just use a really wide Forstner bit and be happy with a round hole. Why does it need to be square?

 

[ryan50hrl]

I'd also go with a big forstner bit in a drill press with a vise.....and not worry that the hole is round.

Steelex D1024 3" Forstner Bit - Amazon.com

 

[williamkwong]

You guys are awesome. With the drill press, I just imagined that I would be using a 1 inch bit and making multiple holes. I didn't know bits came that big. I think I will go that route. Thanks!

 

[rrich]

You guys are awesome. With the drill press, I just imagined that I would be using a 1 inch bit and making multiple holes. I didn't know bits came that big. I think I will go that route. Thanks!

Spent the money for the forstner bit! It is a bear to remove the plug from the hole saw.