Drop-Front Box: Tabbed-Front Style

Purpose

The purpose of the re-housing project is to get objects out of non-archival materials that were used following a major earthquake into housings that will keep the objects dust-free, viewable on the shelf, and to provide ease of viewing with limited or no handling when used for classes.

Author(s)

Angela Yvarra McGrew
Object Conservator
San Francisco Bay Area

Photo Credits: Angela Yvarra McGrew

Publication: 2016

Figure 1. Finished example of tabbed drop-front box

Description

The tabbed drop front box is drawn like a regular box with creases to allow the flaps to wrap around the sides and tab into slots. [Fig. 1]

This design is one of two that was used during a major rehousing project. The other Drop-Front Box – No-Glue Folded-Tab Style is also available on STASH.

Figure 2. Leather punch to create slots

Materials, Tools & Supplies

B-Flute (1/8”) or E-Flute (1/16”) corrugated board
Box cutter
Bone creaser
Wall mounted board cutter – Optional
Gridded ruler – Optional
¼” wide oblong 1.75″ leather punch available from C.S. Osborne [Fig. 2]- Optional

Construction

1. Start with the standard box template [Fig. 3]

Figure 3. Basic box template

2. Modify the box Layout modified for tabbed drop-front [Fig. 4]

Figure 4.

3. Add the tabs to the flaps [Fig. 5]. The tabs should be anywhere from ¾” to an inch long. If you are using a leather punch to make the slots then the width should equal your punch. Tip: If using the leather punch to cut the slots a 2 lb sledgehammer on wood is recommended as is working on the floor as a regular table top may not be sturdy enough.

4. To find where to place the slots, fold the flap into place and mark on either side of the tab with a pencil. The slot will be 1/4 “ wide and the hole will be under the tab side, so lightly draw an arrow on the box to show you which way to cut. [Fig. 6]