CanadaCoreBox.
Wooden core boxes built from kiln-dried Canadian spruce. Designed for the drill site. Trusted by Canada’s exploration industry.
Kiln-dried Canadian spruce. Dimensionally stable — resists warping from the drill site through long-term storage.
Channels moulded on our Weinig Unimat 3200. Consistent dimensions and tight tolerances keep AQ–PQ core organized and secure.
Built with 1½″ galvanized nails. An automated nailer drives every nail — consistent strength, long-lasting durability.
End blocks ripped on our WEINIG UniRip 310. Identical dimensions every time, for a consistent fit and a smooth, precise finish.
Five core sizes.
One box that holds up.
AQ · BQ · NQ · HQ · PQ
Built for the way
mining really works.
CanadaCoreBox is our flagship line — wooden core sample storage boxes engineered for mineral exploration programs from regional greenfields to major drill campaigns. Made from kiln-dried Canadian spruce with precision-moulded channels, each box is designed to protect your core through transport, storage, and long-term archiving.
- Kiln-dried Canadian spruce — dimensionally stable, resists warping in field conditions
- Precision-moulded channels — consistent, precise spacing for all core diameters
- Stackable tapered edges — stable multi-box storage on-site and in transit
- Custom site-identification stamping available on request
Three Variants.
Every Program Covered.
2×8″
Our flagship heavy-duty box — deeper 2×8″ Canadian spruce sides for heavier core and long outdoor stacking. Rows set by core size: AQ 5, BQ 4, NQ and NQ2 3.
2×6″
2×6″ core box for AQ through NQ2 core. Rows set by core size: AQ 4, BQ 3, NQ and NQ2 2. Solid spruce sides on a plywood base.
Plywood
The lighter, lower-cost build — exterior-grade plywood for NQ, HQ, and PQ core. Best for indoor core libraries and shorter-season programs.
Sizes & Availability
All three formats are available to order. Contact us for lead times and pricing.
| Format | AQ | BQ | NQ / NQ2 | HQ | PQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2×8″ | |||||
| 2×6″ | |||||
| Plywood |
Row capacities shown are for the 2×8 construction. Equivalent 2×6 boxes hold one fewer row for each core size.
Construction Specifications
Every core box is milled from kiln-dried Canadian spruce, providing consistent dimensions and dependable performance in the demanding conditions of the Canadian Shield.
| Format | Walls | Base | Inside Length | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plywood | Exterior-grade plywood, crosswise dividers | Plywood base | 63″ standard | Indoor core libraries, short-season programs — the lighter, lower-cost build |
| 2×6″ | Full 2×6″ kiln-dried Canadian spruce (2BTR grade) | Plywood base | 63″ standard | AQ through NQ2 core; outdoor stacking |
| 2×8″ | Full 2×8″ kiln-dried spruce (2BTR grade) | Plywood base | 63″ standard | Heavier core, deep programs, long outdoor stacking |
Core Boxes Shipped Across Canada
We manufacture wooden core boxes in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba — a central location that puts most northern drill programs inside a one-truck transit window. Direct trucking covers Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and northwestern Ontario; common-carrier freight reaches the territories and the rest of Canada.
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
- Northwestern Ontario
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Yukon
- All of Canada by freight
We’ll send a quote,
then get product moving.
Call us direct or send a text.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes of drill core fit our core boxes?
Our core boxes are sized for BQ (36.5 mm), NQ (47.6 mm), HQ (63.5 mm), and PQ (85 mm) drill core in the industry-standard 63" inside length. The 2x6" framed and plywood constructions fit BQ/NQ/HQ comfortably; the 2x8" framed is sized for PQ and the heaviest HQ programs.
What are our core boxes made of?
Kiln-dried Canadian spruce, milled at our shop in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba. Plywood walls on the lighter build are 11 mm exterior-grade Canadian plywood; framed walls are full 2x6" or 2x8" dimensional spruce. Bottoms are 15 mm plywood, dividers are dimensional, lids interlock.
Are our core boxes compatible with other suppliers' core boxes?
Yes. The 63" inside length is the industry standard across Canadian exploration suppliers, so our boxes stack and rack interchangeably with any standard-size box from another supplier. The frame construction and lid pattern are our own, but the external footprint matches.
How fast can we ship our core boxes in Canada?
Stock sizes typically ship within a week from Cranberry Portage. Custom dimensions or large-volume orders (1,000+ boxes) batch into 1-3 week build runs. For active drill programs we keep notional reserves of high-volume sizes so same-week top-ups are possible.
What is the price of our core boxes?
Pricing depends on construction (plywood vs. 2x6" framed vs. 2x8" framed), volume, and shipping destination. Tell us your bit size, your meterage, and where you're shipping — we'll come back with a real quote, usually same-day. Volume discounts apply on truckload orders.
Do our core boxes hold up in cold weather and outdoor storage?
Yes — that's specifically what the framed 2x6" and 2x8" constructions are built for. Our spruce comes out of the kiln at 10-12% moisture content so it stabilizes in the dry continental air of the Canadian Shield. Boxes stored outdoors through Manitoba winters typically last 5-8+ years in framed construction.
Related Field Notes
- Core Boxes
How to Choose the Right Core Box for Your Drilling Project
A practical guide to picking core boxes for AQ, BQ, NQ, HQ, and PQ drill core — drill size, 63" box length, plywood vs. framed lumber, and how to store and stack them in the field.
6 min read - Core Boxes
Why Canadian-Made Wooden Core Boxes Outperform Imports in Cold-Weather Exploration
Why Canadian-made wooden core boxes outperform imports in cold weather — kiln-dried spruce, heavier framed construction, and domestic supply. A practical comparison from Greg's Manufacturing in Manitoba.
5 min read - Field Practice
The Complete Guide to Core Sample Storage and Organization
How to store, label, and organize drill core so it stays legible for the life of the program — marking blocks, durable labelling, storage conditions, stacking, and digital records.
6 min read