2x6
Built from full-dimensional 2×6 Canadian spruce. Designed for AQ through NQ core, it delivers the strength you need without breaking your back.
Core Boxes · Cranberry Portage, ManitobaWooden Core Boxes,
Wooden Core Boxes,
Made in Canada.
Greg’s Manufacturing produces core boxes for Canadian mineral exploration companies. Manufactured from kiln-dried Canadian spruce in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, our core boxes are available in AQ, BQ, NQ, NQ2, HQ, and PQ sizes and shipped to drilling projects across Canada.
Trusted by Canada’s Mining & Exploration Industry
Core Boxes, Canada
Where to buy wooden core boxes in Canada.
Greg’s Manufacturing produces core boxes for Canadian mineral exploration companies. Manufactured from kiln-dried Canadian spruce in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, our core boxes are available in AQ, BQ, NQ, NQ2, HQ, and PQ sizes. We build industry-standard 63-inch core boxes in plywood, 2×6, and 2×8 framed constructions, and ship to drilling projects across Canada.
All of our core boxes are built to the industry-standard external dimensions, allowing them to stack, store, and fit existing core racks alongside other standard-size core boxes. Tell us your core size, quantity, and shipping destination, and we’ll get a quote back to you—usually the same day.
- Sizes
- AQ, BQ, NQ, NQ2, HQ, and PQ drill core — in the industry-standard 63″ inside length.
- Builds
- Our core boxes are available in plywood, 2×6″ and 2×8″ constructions to meet a wide range of exploration, storage, and stacking requirements.
- Material
- Kiln-dried Canadian spruce, milled at our own shop for strength, stability, and reliable performance.
- Shipping
- Direct trucking throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and northwestern Ontario, with bulk freight shipping available across Canada.
5
Core sizes — AQ · BQ · NQ · NQ2 · PQ
63″
Industry-standard inside length
7
Provinces & territories shipped
Since1934
Family-owned Manitoba mill
The range
Three builds, one standard.
2x8
Built from full-dimensional 2×8 Canadian spruce. Designed for AQ through HQ core, it’s heavier than our 2×6 but built for maximum strength, durability, and outdoor stacking.
Plywood
Our lightest, most economical core box for indoor storage and short-term drilling programs.
How to choose
Wooden vs. plastic core boxes
Both have their place. Plastic trays win on weight and reuse over many cycles; wood wins on cost, field repairability, and a clean footprint at remote sites. Here’s the honest comparison for Canadian drill programs.
| Factor | Wooden core boxes | Plastic core boxes |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lower — no mould tooling, milled from local lumber | Higher per unit; tooling cost amortized into price |
| Field repairability | Repaired on-site with basic tools and offcuts | Cracked trays are replaced, not repaired |
| Lead time | Stock sizes ship in about a week from Manitoba | Moulded stock or import lead times |
| Cold-weather use | Kiln-dried spruce stays stable through Canadian winters | Stable, but can become brittle in deep cold |
| Remote-site disposal | Burns or composts cleanly at the drill site | Recyclable in theory; rarely recycled from remote field camps |
| Made in Canada | Milled in Cranberry Portage, MB | Frequently imported |
Specifications
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 |
AQ27.0 mm core · 5 rows
BQ36.5 mm core · 4 rows
NQ47.6 mm core · 3 rows
HQ63.5 mm core · 2 rows
PQ85.0 mm core · 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
Why Greg’s
Bought by the crews who use them.
01
A family-owned Manitoba mill
We’ve been manufacturing wood products for the northern mining industry for generations from our shop in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba. We’re not a reseller or an importer—we build every core box ourselves, and the people quoting your order are the same people who manufacture it.
02
Central to the drill programs we serve
Cranberry Portage sits in the middle of the Canadian Shield exploration belt. That puts most northern programs inside a one-truck transit window, so freight is faster and cheaper than shipping from the coasts or overseas.
03
Kiln-dried Canadian spruce
Our Canadian spruce is kiln-dried to a low moisture content, helping maintain consistent dimensions while reducing warping, twisting, and checking in demanding field conditions.
04
Custom sizes and site stamping
Need a non-standard length, a deeper box for big HQ programs, or your project name stamped on every lid? We build to spec — that flexibility is the advantage of a real mill over a catalogue.
Testimonials
Google Reviews
Reviewed on Google
“Great people.”
Neil MacLellan
Local Guide · 19 reviews
“Great guys to deal with.”
Peter Spence
Local Guide · 18 reviews
“I Recommend — good people.”
Pinoy B-train
Local Guide · 214 reviews
Request a QuoteTell us your program.
Tell us your program.
We’ll quote it — usually same day.
Tell us your core size, quantity, and shipping destination, and we’ll provide a quote—usually the same day. Every core box is manufactured in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, and shipped directly to drilling projects across Canada.
204-271-0208
Prefer email? sales@gregsmanufacturing.ca
Buying core boxes
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy wooden core boxes in Canada?
Greg's Manufacturing makes and sells wooden core boxes direct from our mill in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba. We ship across Canada — direct trucking through Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and northwestern Ontario, and common-carrier freight to the territories and the rest of the country. Call 204-271-0208 or send us your bit size and meterage for a quote.
How much do our core boxes cost?
Price depends on the construction, core size, order volume, and shipping destination. We manufacture plywood, 2×6, and 2×8 core boxes in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba, using locally milled lumber instead of imported or moulded plastic. Tell us your core size, quantity, and destination, and we'll provide a real quote—usually the same day. Volume pricing is available on truckload orders.
What's the difference between wooden and plastic core boxes?
Wooden core boxes are lower upfront cost, repairable on-site with basic tools, and dispose cleanly at remote drill sites — and ours are made in Canada from kiln-dried spruce. Plastic trays are lighter and reusable over many cycles but cost more per unit, are replaced rather than repaired when cracked, and are often imported. For most Canadian exploration programs, wood is the more economical and practical choice.
What sizes do core boxes come in?
We manufacture core boxes for AQ, BQ, NQ, NQ2, HQ, and PQ drill core in the industry-standard 63-inch inside length. Smaller core sizes fit more rows per box. Our plywood and 2×6 core boxes are well suited for AQ through HQ drilling, while our 2×8 core boxes are designed for the heaviest HQ and PQ programs and long-term outdoor stacking.
Are your core boxes compatible with other suppliers' boxes?
Yes. The 63-inch inside length is the industry standard across Canadian exploration suppliers, so our boxes stack and rack interchangeably with any standard-size box you already have on site. The external footprint matches; the frame and lid construction are our own.
Do you make custom core boxes?
We manufacture custom core boxes to meet your project requirements, including deeper boxes for large HQ and PQ programs, custom row configurations, and site identification stamped on the lids. Send us your requirements, and we'll provide a quote.
Going deeper
All Field Notes →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.
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Wooden vs Plastic Core Boxes: An Honest Comparison for Canadian Drill Programs
Wood or plastic for drill core storage? A Manitoba core box manufacturer compares cost, durability, cold-weather performance, repairability, and sustainability — honestly.
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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