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"Art Box" Tutorial #1: Intro

Blog entry by Andy posted 163 days ago 1936 reads 55 times favorited 25 comments Add to Favorites Watch
no previous part Part 1 of "Art Box" Tutorial series Part 2: What wood? »

I recently asked if anyone was still interested in a tutorial on my boxes and the answer was a definite yes.
So here we go!

I want to start by saying:

Be safe! Guards,etc…may not be visible in the pictures. This is written for woodworkers of all skill levels.
But,please keep in mind that this is not woodworking #101.I am writing this in a step by step manner that should be easy for a beginner to follow,but some basic understanding of tools and terminology is required.
I ask that the more advanced woodworkers be patient and not be offended.I dont wish to test your patience or appear to be condescending…just helpful to a mixed audience. I have my own way of doing things,but as a self taught woodworker,some of them are unconventional.I am not trying to teach you how to do things my way,but just showing you how I do things.Do each step in a way you are comfortable with.

What style of box are we going to build?
I think its important to start out with a clear view of where we are headed with this tutorial.I have recieved hundreds of comments and e-mails regarding my boxes and what people prefer.But not all are what I consider to be “Art Boxes”,nor is the construction the same.To ensure that everyone gets the most benefit,I need to decide which style we will make.

Definition of Art Box=A box with a medallion in the lid that resembles a picture in a frame.The body and lid may be shaped a little or a lot.

I have posted these (3) styles of “Art Boxes” on LJ. Each one has a medallion and some shaping.

1)The first one is “Rachels Box” and its unigue feature is the inset top,on all four edges,the pin hinges,and the top drops into the box which acts as the lid stay.
Click for details

2) The second box is “Bad Moon Rising” and because of the secret pop up tray,has very little shaping.The main difference in construction is the lid sets into a lip on three sides only,and uses barrel hinges,so it does not drop into the box at the back.
Click for details

3) The third one is “Deco Box” and is very different from the other two.It has a panel and frame style top,and has butt style hinges and does not set into a lip at all.It does have a lot of shaping and a medallion.
Click for details

4) Not an “Art Box”.There is a fourth style that has been refered to as an “Art Box” because of its picture being in this months EMag. These are the “Designer Boxes”.They have basically the same construction as “Rachels Box”,but stop short of the pin hinges,and have lift off lids and inlay strips instead of a medallion and shaping.
Click for details
The construction is different on each one,so I had to decide which one to base the tutorial on.
I have decided we will make a box that looks like Rachels. But,because of the similarity in construction,I will show how to build the Designer,and stop there if you wish.And then we will move on to the Bad Moon style,and finally finish with Rachels.
This is the most difficult of the three.

Just to clarify.I will not be discussing how to do the secret tray,mag catches on the Bad Moon box.That would reguire its own blog.

Hopefully this will all make sense as we proceed.

Stay tuned for construction in part #2.

Thanks for looking.

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon


25 comments so far

View ellen35's profile

ellen35

538 posts in 328 days


posted 162 days ago

I am waiting with baited breath!

-- Ellen on Cape Cod

View rtb's profile

rtb

679 posts in 609 days


posted 162 days ago

I really like your boxes and your review. Looking forward to continuing the journey

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

View a1Jim's profile

a1Jim

16910 posts in 473 days


posted 162 days ago

This should be good bring it on.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

View majeagle1's profile

majeagle1

430 posts in 392 days


posted 162 days ago

Goog beginning Andy, can’t wait for the main feature and then the grand finale!!!!!

Thanks agian for doing this !

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

View Kindlingmaker's profile

Kindlingmaker

1475 posts in 422 days


posted 162 days ago

Thank you!

-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3424 posts in 960 days


posted 162 days ago

What Gene said!

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

View Toolz's profile

Toolz

307 posts in 638 days


posted 162 days ago

Already added to my “watch list” many thanks

-- Growing older but not up!

View blade's profile

blade

2 posts in 973 days


posted 162 days ago

This is great for a novice like me. I’ve never built a gift box of any sort. I love it . thank you for sharing.

-- Blade Reworking Old & Discarded Wood T New.

View pommy's profile

pommy

960 posts in 587 days


posted 162 days ago

Andy added to watch list and eagerly awaiting the next episode this is what makes this site so unique thanks mate

-- cut it saw it scrap it

View Dennis Zongker's profile

Dennis Zongker

1017 posts in 488 days


posted 162 days ago

Looking forward to your tutorial. Your Art Deco box is my favorite. It reminds me of fine tuned Cadillac. Thanks for sharing, Andy.

-- Dennis Zongker

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6446 posts in 879 days


posted 162 days ago

get ready, get set, go …. hope you enjoy your time making it as I am looking forward to seeing it

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14160 posts in 1057 days


posted 162 days ago

goal: check!
disclaimer: check! :)

let the games begin!

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Tim Pursell's profile

Tim Pursell

389 posts in 678 days


posted 162 days ago

View gordo's profile

gordo

2 posts in 182 days


posted 162 days ago

Thanks Andy. I’m looking forward to this.

Gordo

-- Gordo, Georgia

View cabinetmaster's profile

cabinetmaster

8590 posts in 454 days


posted 161 days ago

I’m ready to go. Let’s get started…........................................................................

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

View Andy's profile

Andy

571 posts in 804 days


posted 160 days ago

I am getting close to posting the first construction photos…just getting my thoughts down in a logical sequence.Another day or so.

We get in the habit of doing something without thinking too much about it.
This is good for me ,it’s making me evaluate my process and see where I need to improve.

Thanks for your patience.

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

View tomd's profile

tomd

216 posts in 666 days


posted 160 days ago

I am literally changelled, I need lots of pictures. This will be very interesting.

-- Tom D

View David's profile

David

45 posts in 243 days


posted 159 days ago

I’ve always wanted to build a box and have plenty of scrap wood to work with! Can’t wait to see if I can duplicate your beautiful work.

-- dcutter

View Andy's profile

Andy

571 posts in 804 days


posted 159 days ago

Here is a link to Part #2.
http://lumberjocks.com/Argyllshire/blog/9672

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

View Karson's profile

Karson

25802 posts in 1296 days


posted 156 days ago

Thanks for the blog series.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

View justjohn49's profile

justjohn49

15 posts in 234 days


posted 145 days ago

Thanks Andy

-- justjohn49, New Hampshire

View Rick's profile

Rick

63 posts in 106 days


posted 103 days ago

Thanks Andy. Is the shaping next???

View Andy's profile

Andy

571 posts in 804 days


posted 103 days ago

Your welcome Rick.Actually,the last chapter showed as much of the shaping as I can really express with photos.Since every box is different,there really isnt a plan of attack,its more about feel and self expression.The last chapter is about complete and will show the final sanding and how it looks finished.

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

View Rick's profile

Rick

63 posts in 106 days


posted 103 days ago

I suppose what I’m most curious about are the tools you use and in what order you like to use them in the shaping process. Do you usually draw a patern out or does the pillowed effect just happen and somewhat fall into place?

View Andy's profile

Andy

571 posts in 804 days


posted 103 days ago

Hi Rick,the tutorial covers the tools and the process pretty well.It will become more clear as you start making one.The pillowed top is shaped with the grinder or a sander,just remove the excess wood on the lid and medallion,until it all blends together into a dome or whatever you fancy.I look forward to seeing a box by you.Dont hesitate to ask for clarification as needed.

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

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