DIY CD Storage Box
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2023 11:25 pm
When looking for a way to store CD's I didn't want on the main shelf, I kept finding aspects I didn't like about commercially available products.
Characteristics I was looking for
The box is ULINE S-4138 6x6x14. 14" deep and 6"x6" closest matches the width and height of a CD. When standing on spine, a CD is 5.5" tall, so this gives a little headroom inside the box. CD's are only about 5" wide though when standing on the spine. This ends up having an extra 1"
total of space or 0.5" of space on each side, which is a little much.
I decided to put 1/4" MDF sheets on each side. This serves three purposes.
I cut the boxes 2" from the top all the way around. I used Elmers white glue (and weights) to glue the flaps together so there is no tape to unravel over time. I also used the Elmers glue to glue the MDF sheets to the lower half after cutting the tops off. Cut 2" from the top.
I got sheets of stick-on label holders from Amazon. These are plastic pouches for holding business cards and have adhesive on the back to stick to the box.
Characteristics I was looking for
- The CD's must stand on the spine, so that I can read them while in the box.
- One single row of CD's per box
- Must be able to hold weight so that boxes can be stacked.
- Can't be too expensive for each box
- Ability to put a label on front to identify contents
The box is ULINE S-4138 6x6x14. 14" deep and 6"x6" closest matches the width and height of a CD. When standing on spine, a CD is 5.5" tall, so this gives a little headroom inside the box. CD's are only about 5" wide though when standing on the spine. This ends up having an extra 1"
total of space or 0.5" of space on each side, which is a little much.
I decided to put 1/4" MDF sheets on each side. This serves three purposes.
- When stacking boxes, the MDF sheets support the weight, not the cardboard.
- Cutting the box into two pieces, the MDF goes on the inside and gives the top part something to rest on.
- Fills in the extra space on each side by 0.5". Which still leaves 0.25" on each side for sleeves and thicker cardboard cases
I cut the boxes 2" from the top all the way around. I used Elmers white glue (and weights) to glue the flaps together so there is no tape to unravel over time. I also used the Elmers glue to glue the MDF sheets to the lower half after cutting the tops off. Cut 2" from the top.
I got sheets of stick-on label holders from Amazon. These are plastic pouches for holding business cards and have adhesive on the back to stick to the box.