I do like the simplicity of the butt joint, but agree they might not look the best.

SQ

Richard McComas said:

The kitchen drawers in my 20 year old kitchen that I just replace had butt joints, glue and nails. None of them had failed. The down side is if the joints are highly visible you see the end grain.

I like that idea.  Very clever.  

SQ

Tom Clifton said:

Something I have been kicking around in the back of my head is making a box "Log Cabin Style".  Rip strips of wood 3/8" to 1/2" thick and glue them edge to edge.  As long as you cut the wood at the same time, they should all be the same height and width and would fit well. You could also use contrasting species.  This would be a way fo making "finger joints" without all the measuring.  When the glue has set, sand the ends flush on a belt sander.  The bottom could also be strips...

 

About 30 years ago, I made plant stands in a similar way - except instead of stacking tight on all four sides I had alternating strips of wood and open.  The legs were glued vertically in the outside corners.  Out of the dozen or so I made, the only one I know where it is today is at my Mother-In-Laws.  If I can get by there soon I'll post a pic.

 

SQ,

When I saw these on another forum, I thought of you.

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Gene,

Thanks for the picture.  Those are good looking boxes..  A sliding lid is a good idea, too.  Thanks for posting this.

SQ

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Happiness is wood chips flying!