Porter Cable Dovetail Jig #4216 #3: My first project using the jig

I was honored to be asked to create a box for my mother-in-law’s cremated remains as my first project using this jig. She passed away right before New Years and while we waited for the return of the remains, I was able to create the box using the jig.

Once again, the set up was easy. The joints were just tight enough to allow glue to swell the wood for an incredibly strong bond. This jig was a very helpful because I was under a tight schedule.

The wood is cherry and the inlaid cross was tulip poplar. The top a raised panel and is inset into a stop groove cut in the sides. Access to the inside was from the bottom. I used cherry plywood for the bottom and it was attached in a rabbet with screws.

I use a water-based finish from General Finishes and I was able to put on 4 coats quickly and follow up with 0000 steel wool and wax. The box had a very pretty, natural look and a wonderful ‘hand’ with the wax finish.

Her remains were buried next to her husband and infant son.

I hope Miss Joe would be proud. I will miss her. She was very generous to me and her gifts to me were mostly woodworking tools. She always said she didn’t know what to get me for Christmas and birthdays so I was a very helpful son-in-law by making some suggestions. I do believe that this jig was her gift to me for my birthday this summer.

-- Makin' Sawdust!!!