Undercut Top Support Cleats

[BoxAndGo]

On the top panel of my box I undercut by 1/2" the front to aft framing cleats to allow a place for water to run out. I generally do the same for my front to aft support cleats when the amount is >1. However, someone told me that this isn't a good idea for the support cleats. What generally is the rule or issue?
Thanks

[Marcel]

This should not reduce strength of your crate unless there is not enough nailing allowed for this when you build your crate.
If anything it may look more like you cut the plywood to short there by making people assume there is a quality issue.
If this is on a bulk break crate then by all means the water run off is an issue.

[salmanq]

It is very useful information to some extent. Please help me out regarding this topic going on. Can some one tell me in detail to what exact direction discussion is going on now?


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[BoxALot]

Assuming a box is going to sit outside, you need reliefs in your top cleats to allow for water drainage. There's a few different ways of doing it but the most cost effective is to just undercut all inset cleats so water can flow in most every direction. This way it won't puddle and rot the top panel.

I think that 1/4" or so is usually good enough. The sawyers just know to undercut the top some so they cut the pieces a little short.

This is in the 601 and D6251 specs.

If you know the box won't sit outside, you don't need to undercut but generally you have no way of knowing.