I blogged a couple of weeks ago about what I should charge for a small box I was asked to make.
I thought that those of you who haven’t delved into the wonderful world of box making might like to journey along with me as I make this commissioned box. I was given the outside dimension for the box, as the owner intends to place it in a chest of drawers, so it must fit the size constraints of the drawer. The box will be 95mm high x 360mm wide x 240mm deep (approximately 3.75” x 14” x 9.5”).
I have selected a wood I’ve had in my stock for some time. I’m not absolutely certain, but I believe it to be Northern Queensland Lacy Oak.
The joinery will be miters with splines. The lid will be a frame and panel with a Burl veneered.
Below I’ve milled the box walls to approximately 1/2” thickness, cut the pieces to length and mitered the ends.
Here I’m clamping the Victoria Ash trim to the lid frames.
After the glue has dried, I plane with a small Stanley adjustable mouth block plane and finish with a scraper. 

This shows that I’ve decided to add trim to the inside of the frame to highlight the veneered insert panel. I’ve also cut the rebate to hold the veneered panel using my router table.
Before cutting for the spline I glued up the lid frame. The box in the foreground is not yet glued up.
Then I used this miter spline jig to cut for the insertion of a spline.
Here you see the lid glued up with the splines inserted and glued. The box is only dry fitted at this point.
This final shot today shows the box being glued up. I use two picture frame clamps to apply even pressure to the miters. Note that I have stained and inserted the base of the box. The base is ‘trapped’ in a rebate, but not glued. I have found that installing the base this way when using mitered joinery helps to keep the corners square and stop the miter joint from creeping when the glue is drying.
This represents about eight hours of work thus far. More pictures in a few days when I progress.
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hillsbiblechurch.org/

















23 comments so far
Douglas Bordner
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3907 posts in 2236 days
#1 posted 2114 days ago
Go Don Go! Very elegant splining jig. I had to subscribe to the RSS feed on this one…
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Bob Babcock
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1804 posts in 2258 days
#2 posted 2114 days ago
I can already tell its going to be a winner. Beautiful wood, and I like the addition of the trim. It should set the burl off to great effect. Great progress shots.
-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org
Lee A. Jesberger
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6501 posts in 2151 days
#3 posted 2113 days ago
Don;
Absolutely beautiful ! The splines in the miters are larger then I’m used to seeing, and I love it.
It really stands out nicely. Also, as Bob pointed out, the trim added to the lid will make the burk really stand out.
You are going to end up making me build some small wooden boxes, I’ve had all I can stand, seeing how beautiful they can be!
I hope you’re happy! One more hobby to use up my spare time! LOL
I hope you get this done quickly, so I can see the final project photo’s.
Also, as Douglas mentioned the jig you used for the splines deserves some explaining.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Thos. Angle
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4400 posts in 2134 days
#4 posted 2113 days ago
Boy, Don, you not only love small wooden boxes, you do a darn good job of making them! That wood is going to be pretty outstanding when you get some finish on it. Outstanding design! I can’t wait to see the finished product. Hurry up, will ya!!
Tom
-- Thos. Angle, Jordan Valley, Oregon
DustyDave
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70 posts in 2119 days
#5 posted 2113 days ago
Don,
Very nice. Great inspiration.
Dave
-- Dave _-^-_ Baltimore, MD
Obi
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2202 posts in 2409 days
#6 posted 2113 days ago
Anyone who has a Barton Box, truly has a work of art.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
WayneC
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9596 posts in 2269 days
#7 posted 2113 days ago
I can testify to that Obi. The one you have is wonderful.
Looking forward to seeing the completed box Don. It is coming along great.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
Lboy
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167 posts in 2254 days
#8 posted 2113 days ago
Thanks Don, for the detail in making this box. I have had it in my mind to make my daughter a jewlery box, but havn’t gotten past the thinking about it.
MsDebbieP
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18320 posts in 2332 days
#9 posted 2112 days ago
how exciting – getting to watch you build a small wooden box!
I would like to see more on how to do the splines
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
TheGravedigger
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963 posts in 2196 days
#10 posted 2112 days ago
Fantastic! I’ve always been scared of making a box because the joinery has to be so precise. You’re going to have me trying it before it’s over.
-- Robert - Visit my woodworking blog: http://littlegoodpieces.wordpress.com
Steffen
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326 posts in 2207 days
#11 posted 2112 days ago
very nice work Don…
-- Steffen - Kirkland, WA
PanamaJack
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4472 posts in 2249 days
#12 posted 2111 days ago
Great and wonderful work on this blog Don. You really got me interested!
Now I can say: I love small wooden boxes, Don! (With your permission.)
-- Carpe Lignum; Tornare Lignum (Seize the wood, to Turn the wood)
Joel Tille
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213 posts in 2416 days
#13 posted 2111 days ago
Can’t wait to see the finished project, we all know it will be abeautiful one. Thanks for sharing you process.
-- Joel Tille
Jeff
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91 posts in 2119 days
#14 posted 2111 days ago
This is one of the reasons that I joined Lj.com so that I could learn knew things and get ideas to try myself. Don your pictures say a lot and your box look great, the contrast in colors is cool and I would like to use your ideas to come up with something for myself. Great work.
-- Jeff B.
Karson
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34370 posts in 2572 days
#15 posted 2107 days ago
Don. Now I see it. It was reposted as a blog. Great job.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
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