First Mitered Box

Don…..looks great!That’s a pretty good size box….what are you using it for? I’ve done a lot of work with milk paints…usually to do a anitique/distressed look with a lighter color under a darker one….the milk paint colors are so rich.

-- Rome wasn't built in a day..... it just looks that way!

@Tom; I’m a Civil War Reenactor and I’ll be taking the box to events. When it’s just me at the event, I’ll put food and soldiers personal items in it. When the family comes, I’ll let them use it, probably for kitchen stuff or personal stuff stashed in the big tent.

-- Don, Royersford, PA

Nice job!

-- Art | Bradenton, Florida

Don, your box looks great. miters cut on ras or table saw?

-- Dave, W.V.

Great box build! You seriously clamped it! I would just do 3 coats of BLO. It will age beautifully and it will be easy to add more if it gets beat up. The pine will get dented and dinged which will add character every year.

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

Check out Doug Snow’s book and video on boxes. His “clamping” method is using packing tape and is ingenious… works really well… that is all I ever use in my mitered boxes.
This box looks awesome. You’ve made pine into art!
Ellen

-- Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Great job, well done!!

-- Jack, Albuquerque

Dave, all cuts on the tablesaw. I’ve done BLO on pine before and it makes it a bit yellow – I do like it but not for this piece. I don’t want it to stand out, especially in my dog tent – soldiers really wouldn’t have had boxes in there. And as for the clamps, I think the parallel jaw clamps did more harm than good, pulling the corners off and stuff. I’m going to buy a few more band clamps and just use those in the future.

-- Don, Royersford, PA

Decided to put shellac on the inside

Justt waiting for the shellac to dry

Plus the inside of the box, drying on my finishing station

-- Don, Royersford, PA

Nice box. I like the yellow. I say go shellac all the way!

I wonder if then setting it in the summer sun will help to give it an aged look?

This book may be of interest:
http://www.amazon.com/Civil-War-Woodworking-Woodworkers-Reenactors/dp/1933502282

-- Andrew, Orange County, CA - www.TransitionTurning.com

Andrew, Thanks so much for the book reference, I never thought of that.

-- Don, Royersford, PA

Hi Don,

That is a good looking box.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Went with a dark walnut stain. Like I said, I don’t want the box to stand out. Next step is to seal it, I’m thinking BLO.

-- Don, Royersford, PA

First coat of BLO

-- Don, Royersford, PA

The stain looks good, dad!

-- Gina - Pottstown, PA