Earlier today, and in weeks past, I've read within several discussions that boxes are readily available in many areas, and pickin's are sparse and slim in others. There are a lot of cigar/tobacco shops in my immediate area, and I visit them regularly to select building materials. The selection is rather varied, and I can pick just the ones that experienced has shown are "better" candidates. I used to grab up 12-15 at a time until I realized that there were always a lot of them available. I typically pay $1 - $2 each, and the shopkeeper seems glad to see me. Not braggin', just stating the situation around here. It seems that some areas just don't have cigar boxes waiting to be bought. Why might this be? Are cigars not sold in certain geographic locations? Is there a return-of-box policy between the shops and the distributors?  Are available boxes just too pricey in some locales? Just curious.

I enjoy making my own boxes for license plate git's, but I sure like the ability to form a factory box into a cbg, with all the possibilities they present. Making boxes isn't rocket science, but making a 90 degree corner four times isn't as easy as one might think, especially without a lot of experience and some good joinery tools. Butt joint boxes are easy enough, but a four corner mitered box takes some doing to have everything align top-to-bottom and side-to-side. And as nice as my box might be (at least to me), it still isn't a cigar box.

Whadda ya say?

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so thats why i cant find anything at the op shops and salvos!! you must be in brisbane getting there before me!

been looking out for old cutlery boxes too , anything that could be used. i want to start my first build but i need a box first. im having a controversial idea for a box at the moment through curosity and frustration at not finding a cheap wooden box... anyone remember the ovation plastic turtle shell shaped  backed guitars with a wood sound board? well i have some hard plastic boxes that were used to ship jewellery from Europe that i could easily put a ply soundboard on...

Go for it. People use plastic containers, metal lunch boxes, glass milk bottles, wine boxes, shoe boxes, chess boxes, hub caps, copper pipes, games consoles, chopping boards etc..

Someone in here recently built a guitar out of a microwave oven.

I have an antique bed warmer I plan to use and I keep looking at an old tea pot I have because the handle on it is quite cool.

ok. in the interest of science it must be done.. off to bunnings for some tassie oak....  i think that tuners are all i need now...

you could try building some 3 string canjos

Any more, people just seem to give me boxes. I haven't bought any in quite awhile. 

When I do, the tobacconist is happy to give me a deal if he's loaded up with them.  

My sources seem to have dried up as well.  I like to think it is because more people are making guitars out of them, but I suspect that people are buying them up and putting them on Ebay for 5X what they paid.  I hope I'm wrong.

No your not wrong

There are a lot of boxes on Ebay that are resonably priced. Maybe not a cheap as you might get at the local tobacconist, but reasonable enough. I almost bought a bunch this morning, but decided I should wait until I finish with the ones I have, and maybe sell a few gits first.

@ Timothy. Bunnings do tassie oak in 40x19mm and also a 40x8 if you wanna seperate fretboard. I was using tassie oak but I found something cheaper and harder at Bunnings and that is 2.4 metre x 42x18mm Merbau. Its in the tradie wood section. Only 6 bucks for a seriously hard wood. Its got hardly noticeable joins in the lengths. Makes a cheap neck that can handle a lot of string tension without a bowing. Comes up nice to when you run fine steel wool over it. If some bend in it make sure a slight upwards bend is at the headstock end. Bunnings do a craft box about the dimensions of a cgb but they cost around 14 bucks. Bugger that. I like that idea of puttin a wood soundboard on plastic made shapes. I made few mockup cbg from plastic vhs tape boxes before I built first serious build. Just to see what it was like. Ha. I in Newcastle area. So your op shops are safe from my clutches he he. Partic at Salvos find out what days they have half price day. Makes boxes and plastics and whatever else you can put to use even cheaper

that finger jointed merbau is pretty strong Jonno,but i'd add a fret board always to it,to reinforce the joints,and if it's not straight,don't buy it,keep looking through the rack,or come back another day i'd reckon. Bunnings in WA,carry jarrah in all sizes,perfect for necks,but i've heard from others,it's not easily found your side of the country, and don't forget to keep an eye out for anyone demolishing an old shed or similar on Gumtree etc, i get nearly all my wood that way now,last load about 1/2 a tonne for a bottle of rum, a little more work in dressing it, but it's hard, and as dry as it can be

OK!! just got my first cigar box. $5 and the shop gives the proceeds to charity. great idea!

still going to try that plastic box.should probably do that one first so i dont screw up the cigar box..

yes i was going to add the 8mm fretboard because i wan to fret it as well. might look good with a tassie oak fretboard and a merbau kneck...food for thought...

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