Small wooden crates and display trays often need a little foot, pad or corner block added after the main box is already together. That tiny part looks simple until one foot lands a few millimetres off and the whole piece rocks on the bench.
Before fastening anything, set the crate upside down and make one light pencil tick mark on each corner where the inside edge of the foot should land. Use the same scrap spacer, square or ruler for all four corners instead of measuring each one by eye.
The mark does not need to be heavy or permanent. It only has to show which face of the block gets aligned first. A small arrow or short line is enough to stop the block from drifting while glue, screws or brads are being handled.
This little habit is especially useful when several crates are being repaired or when display boxes need to sit neatly together on a counter. Matching feet make the pieces easier to level, easier to stack and less likely to snag when they are moved around.
After the foot is fastened, wipe away the pencil mark before finish or wax goes on. If a mark is close to an exposed edge, a quick pass with a clean sanding block usually removes it without changing the shape of the corner.
Practical takeaway: mark the first edge of every small foot or corner pad before fastening. One pencil tick can save a wobbly crate, a crooked repair and a second trip back to the bench.
Crate RepairsLayoutSmall-Shop Habits