Cost to assemble 2 BestTrack track storage boxes

[DerbyTrackStars]

Hi, All: I'm in the process of creating storage boxes for my 4-lane, 42' BestTrack. I was quoted by a local lumber company $473.54 for cutting 14 pieces of plywood. Cost does not include the hardware. Is this a reasonable price or should I head over to HomeDepot? I don't have the equipment to cut the plywood myself though. Any advice appreciated! Thanks. I'm in the NY lower-Hudson Valley area if anyone knows of a better deal.

[FatSebastian]

I was quoted by a local lumber company $473.54 for cutting 14 pieces of plywood. Cost does not include the hardware.

Does that include the cost of the plywood? Are you having a few sheets of plywood cut into 14 sections / pieces, or having 14 sheets of plywood cut up?

Last time I was charged for plywood ripping, my local Home Depot charged about 50 cents per cut after the first two or three per sheet. Also be aware that some HDs don't offer plywood cutting services, and if they do, they may not cut certain thicknesses or grades. Because local stores have slightly different policies and prices, it is best to just ask your local HD directly.

[exoray]

That's a lot of money for some cuts and wood unless it includes a high-end sheet, like cabinet-grade birch plywood!

Have you asked around for friends and neighbors who have woodworking tools? For a storage box, like this all you need is a circular saw and a straight edge to get very decent results, then you are just out the cost of the wood and maybe a pizza...

If they provided a breakdown it might be nice to see... 'Lumberyard' 3/4" cabinet grade plywood will likely cost you $100/sheet right now, so if that is 4 sheets plus all the cuts it's not horrible... On the other hand if it's 4 sheets of generic $35/sheet plywood that is crazy expensive for the cuts...

Cabinet-grade plywood will make a really nice looking box, but for something that is just going to be used for static storage and taken out once a year to use it's probably overkill, something like BC plywood is probably plenty sufficient...

[whodathunkit]

https://www.besttrack.com/storage_box.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_2wJDPU4yQ

To go with the pre made U-line storage crate box's ( 84x24x24 in size) will run you $285.00 each
https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S- ... zuEALw_wcB

[FatSebastian]

To go with the pre made U-line storage crate box's ( 84x24x24 in size) will run you $285.00 each

Clever solution! Although... the inside crate dimensions (83-3/16") might be too short to accommodate BestTrack sections of 84"; otherwise a crate like this seems like an elegant starting point for track storage...

[whodathunkit]

Although... the inside crate dimensions (83-3/16") might be too short to accommodate BestTrack sections of 84"; otherwise a crate like this seems like an elegant starting point for track storage...

Yeah i forgot the track sections are 7 foot long.. good catch FS!

Maybe something like a doc box locker might be better suited :
At 85 inch wide .. however cost more!
https://www.dockboxes.com/product/dock- ... cUEALw_wcB

[DerbyTrackStars]

I was quoted by a local lumber company $473.54 for cutting 14 pieces of plywood. Cost does not include the hardware.

Does that include the cost of the plywood? Are you having a few sheets of plywood cut into 14 sections / pieces, or having 14 sheets of plywood cut up?

Last time I was charged for plywood ripping, my local Home Depot charged about 50 cents per cut after the first two or three per sheet. Also be aware that some HDs don't offer plywood cutting services, and if they do, they may not cut certain thicknesses or grades. Because local stores have slightly different policies and prices, it is best to just ask your local HD directly.

Hey: Yes, it includes the cost of the plywood. They said it's Chinese birch plywood.

2pc - 25" X 90"
4pc - 3" x 25"
2pc - 11" x 90"
2pc - 11" x 24"

Then some 2x2 small pieces.
I was basing my order on the storage box schematics on besttrack. I'll go by HD and ask if they cut.

[DerbyTrackStars]

That's a lot of money for some cuts and wood unless it includes a high-end sheet, like cabinet-grade birch plywood!

Have you asked around for friends and neighbors who have woodworking tools? For a storage box, like this all you need is a circular saw and a straight edge to get very decent results, then you are just out the cost of the wood and maybe a pizza...

If they provided a breakdown it might be nice to see... 'Lumberyard' 3/4" cabinet grade plywood will likely cost you $100/sheet right now, so if that is 4 sheets plus all the cuts it's not horrible... On the other hand if it's 4 sheets of generic $35/sheet plywood that is crazy expensive for the cuts...

Cabinet-grade plywood will make a really nice looking box, but for something that is just going to be used for static storage and taken out once a year to use it's probably overkill, something like BC plywood is probably plenty sufficient...

It's for the cost of Chinese birch plywood and cutting the pieces. I don't want fancy plywood it's going to live in my basement most of the year. I feel weird asking my neighbor to cut the plywood. Neighbor definitely have a table saw though...

[exoray]

It's for the cost of Chinese birch plywood and cutting the pieces. I don't want fancy plywood it's going to live in my basement most of the year. I feel weird asking my neighbor to cut the plywood. Neighbor definitely have a table saw though...

Seems like a steep cutting charge to me, but then again it's not what lumberyards do so they are going to upcharge... 3/4" cheap birch plywood is about $80 a sheet right now, assuming you are using the plans that require 4 sheets that is $320 in materials, putting you at about $150 in cut fees!

Unless you have a shop with table extensions and an outfeed table, most would not use a table saw, much easier to cut sheets like this with a regular circular saw and straight edge using a few saw horses with some 2x4s to hold the sheet, I have done this 100s of times in my driveway...

From experience you might want to check out Home Depot, if you can get someone in the lumber area that is cool they will do a lot of cuts for CHEAP, and as I said, birch plywood is nice, it's lovely stuff, a dream to work with, but for a project like this regular BC plywood is likely plenty good for a storage box and will half your material cost...

[DerbyTrackStars]

Thanks for the advice, guys!