I mentioned recently that I felt like actually making something before working on my bench. What better project for my beginner skills than a simple dovetail box? I haven’t waded through the loads of plans online for boxes, so this plan of mine might not work. Let me know what you think.
First, I had an idea that maybe I could build the entire box out of a single block of 2×4 that is 5 1/2” long. Here’s my block – it’s kempas by the way (click for big size, you wood junkies):
The dimensions of the box top (and bottom) I thought would be roughly 4” by 5 1/3” (I read somewhere that a 1:1 1/3 ratio is nice for boxes). So I thought that I would just rip the top and bottom of the box right off the top of this block of wood – I dunno, maybe 1/2” thick for each? That would leave me something like 5/8” left. Is is crazy to think of cutting that in two 1/4” (ish) pieces, that I’d then rip down the middle for the four walls? Are dovetails for 1/4” thick pieces too fine for a beginner?
I guess I’m just being lazy to cut off more wood for the walls, and also I’m trying to mimimize (maybe neurotically so) wood waste.
Another question I have is how to join the box to the bottom. I was thinking that I’d just slap some glue on the bottom of the box walls and throw it onto the bottom, but that sounds so crude to say it. The top will be hinged somehow – I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it.
[This entry was taken from my personal website, Adventures in Woodworking.]
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
5 comments so far
Tomcat1066
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776 posts in 692 days
posted 670 days ago
First, I have to admit, I like the look of Kempas. I might have to get you to send me a hunk sometime. I guess I can send you some pine or something ;)
Second, and this is just the opinion of a fellow newbie, but if cutting dovetails in 1/4” thick pieces is a challenge for a newbie, then you can knock it out of the way now. However, you should also be prepared to screw up and have nothing to show for your efforts except valuable experience. Learn it now, or learn it later.
Personally, I think it would be interesting to see the box all made from the same chunk of wood, just resawn for the individual pieces.
As for joining the bottom, perhaps a groove along the bottom, then an tongue in the bottom piece that will fit in? While something like a combination plane would be useful for that, you can do it with just a chisel, so it should be doable.
Just a thought.
-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!
rikkor
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11335 posts in 771 days
posted 670 days ago
This should be an interesting challenge for you. There are a lot of resources available here to help, too.
MorningWood70
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30 posts in 681 days
posted 670 days ago
Good luck man!
-- Eric, www.themorningwoodshow.com
Scott Bryan
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20721 posts in 718 days
posted 670 days ago
Think of this as a personal challenge. Go for it. You have nothing to lose (other than a small piece of kempas) and stand to gain experience- a more than adequate tradeoff. Why not include some posts of your project as you go along. I, personally, would find it interesting to see the progress.
Good luck.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
GaryK
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9533 posts in 884 days
posted 670 days ago
Good challange for you. Try a rabbit for the bottom.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.