Wood thickness for making very small pen boxes?

[Brian Sommers]

I want to get some wood resawn and planed to make small pen boxes.

What thickness should I be looking at? 1/4" or 3/8" or ?

I'm leaning toward 3/8" -ish.

[Brian Tymchak]

I would imagine the answer will be completely dependent upon the design of your boxes. Lots of variables. Maybe you want to round the top some requiring thicker on the top than bottom. Joints would likely be a little easier to cut on thicker material. Strength-wise, probably not much difference for such a small box.

[Brian W Smith]

How about both?Run the 1/4" on ends/sides,3/8 as bttm...maybe even let the base be bigger than the box,running it edges across a moulding head (shaper,router,TS).

If hinging,3/8 sides might work better.

[Brian Sommers]

I'm really thinking 3/8" it would def. give me more room for edge work, etc.

[Jim Finn]

I make small boxes with surface mounted hinges. I use 3/8" stock because, until recently, I could not find 1/4" screws. I now have a source for them but still use 3/8" stock. I use lots of cedar and it is pretty weak under 3/8" thickness.

[Brian Sommers]

Ok that is the direction I'll go. Thanks.