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A box in progress

2K views 15 replies 9 participants last post by  twokidsnosleep 
#1 ·
A box in progress

This is my first project. It started from wood salvaged from a small tree, walnut I believe, that a neighbor cut down.
Just getting used to posting on here so sorry if the pics are weird.

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The scrap below the box is being used as my stain test

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It is still a work in progress and eventually will be used as a gift box for jewelry for my wife.
Thanks for looking.
 
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#2 ·
I think I learned a bit at every step of this. Did a ton of reading here and watched a DVD on box making. The experts make it look easy. I made three jigs and a zero clearance plate to help me out.
Every time I look at a photo, I see stuff I need to do differently….example, the base of those cuts for the splines needed a chisel to clean them up and let the spline seat better.

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I used the hammer and the razor to trim the hardwood accents in the splines. It was tough!!
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#6 ·
Thanks guys and gal :)
It is skill building for sure and creates a number of spin off projects, most of which I don't have time for now.
Mike, I am planing on a craftsman workmate. It is a piece of cr…. well you know. Plastic stops, terrible vise ugh!
I may replace the plastic 'deck' with a plywood one. It is not the best work surface and is too short for me, but it is small, portable and foldaway so I am making it work for now.
 
#7 ·
Thank you Charlie that is a really kind compliment. You will notice no finished picture yet.
I am my own worst critic and enemy so I appreciate the kind words. As I said, I look at it and see all the things wrong and what I need to do better.
Perfectionist with an imperfect set of hands :)

ps: it is a Black and Decker Workmate, sorry to slander Craftsman
 
#10 ·
Nice job on your first project Scott. It looks like you have the same TS I use to have until about a month ago. It did the job for me, for a long time. Not just wood working, but remolding my house also. Hope it lasts you as long as mine did.
 
#12 ·
"Wow - first project and starting out from a log? You must be an extremely dexterous person."

Or I am really stupid, enjoy torturing myself and got mad at the expensive lumber shop that booted me and my kids out of the store so they could close early on a Friday. I remembered I had stored two or three bucked logs deep in the bowels of the garage, so went digging in there and that is how it started.
There is nothing like making something from free wood
Thanks for reading
 
#13 ·
Hi Tim, thanks for the comments.
I like the saw, but see how it has some serious limitations. I am making things work with jigs and sleds most of which I learned about from LJ'ers. If only I found this website before I bought the saw I would have looked at a Sawstop…and a second mortgage!
I cannot afford and don't have room for the saw and some other equipment I would like, but that will come with time.
My son and I have ton of fun in the local tool stores scoping out what we should get next. Off to coach his baseball practice.
Cya
 
#14 ·
Hi Scott,

I never met a box I didn't like and yours is no exception. I like the genesis from a neighbors tree as well as the results. I look back at my early boxes now and see my improvement but I started way behind you. I have yet to produce a box like you would see some of our experts produce. I like the fact you get the kids involved. They will remember it the rest of their lives.

Best,
 
#15 ·
Thanks for reading Jim.
I appreciate your comments as I can get hard on myself and bail out on things if they frustrate me.
I am working full time and an involved parent raising two kids and being a husband…...etc,etc.
I don't seem to have enough time for this hobby yet, but use late nights (or a rainy weekend like this one) to learn things online and from books
I really try to get the kids interested in many different things so they can find their path in life.
 
#16 ·
Finished off the box and stained it up. I am not totally happy with the top and the dimensions are off for any jewelry so may have to make another for the wife.
My son and I identified most of the mystery exotic wood cut-offs that I got in the mail from a dealer and we labeled them out.
We used the computer with a website Jim suggested to get matches.
 
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