3D MakerBench

Finger-Joint Box Bench

Laser Finger-Joint Box Maker

Create a flat-pack box from measured material thickness, finger-jointed panels and kerf-compensated SVG or DXF. Preview the cut layout before sending it to your laser.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Private: runs on your device
Box dimensions (inside, mm)
Material and fit

Measure both thickness and kerf on the material you plan to cut. Test the first joint on scrap.

Sheet layout (mm)

Flat layout: red lines = cut paths, in millimetres. 3D: drag to turn, pinch or scroll to zoom.

How to make a finger-joint box

  1. Measure the actual sheet thickness with callipers and enter it above.
  2. Enter the usable inside width, depth and wall height.
  3. Set kerf from a test cut on the same material and choose the approximate finger width.
  4. Review the panel layout and download SVG or DXF. Confirm the scale in your laser software before cutting.
  5. Cut a small test first. Material and machine variation can change how tightly the joints fit.

Why measure kerf?

The laser removes material along the cut. Kerf compensation offsets the cutting path so the finished panel is closer to the intended size. The best value depends on material, focus, speed, power and the machine itself.

Frequently asked questions

Are the dimensions inside or outside?

All three are the usable inside dimensions: width and depth between the walls, height from the top of the base to the top of the walls. The outside is one material thickness bigger on every side (width and depth + 2 × thickness, height + 1 × thickness, without the lid).

Why measure the material thickness?

Nominal 3 mm plywood can vary. Measure the sheet with callipers and enter the actual thickness so the panel dimensions and mating tabs are based on your material.

What does kerf compensation do?

The laser removes a narrow strip along each cut. Enter your measured kerf; the tool offsets panel outlines by half that value. Run a kerf test on the same material and settings for the best fit.

How do the joints go together?

Every edge where two panels meet is split into an odd number of fingers of about the width you choose, owned alternately by the two panels, so they slot together like a comb. The front and back walls carry the corners. The front and back stand on the edges of the base, and the sides fit between them; slide each panel straight in. Glue is optional for a snug fit.

Will the box fit perfectly on the first cut?

Not necessarily. Kerf, material variation, focus and machine settings affect fit. Start with scrap material and check the joints before cutting an expensive sheet.

Which laser software can open the files?

The SVG uses millimetres with 1 SVG unit equal to 1 mm. The DXF is R12 with millimetre units. Confirm the imported dimensions in your laser software before cutting.