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The Box Addiction Grows

Project by Russel posted 417 days ago 848 views 1 time favorited 17 comments Add to Favorites Watch

There is something about making boxes that just makes you want to make more. I’ve caught the fever. These boxes are the result of going out to the shop and wanting to make something, but not having any specific plans in mind. Looking around I saw that I had a fair collection of lumber that was taking up space and wanted to become something. So I thought I’d oblige.

The first picture is the latest collection. Going clockwise from the top left …

1. Butternut with a spalted Maple panel lid. 10×13 x 2

2. Birch with a slip on top. 8×5 x 3.5

3. Two Walnut coved side boxes with Birdseye Maple top. 5×3 x 3.5

4. Ash box with a cherry top. 6×3 x 3

The second picture is a closer look at the spalted maple top which I thought looked pretty cool.

The third picture is a closer look at the birch box with the slip on top which was kind of a challenge to get to fix right, but fun to build.

I can understand why Don loves little wooden boxes.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.


17 comments so far

View eklectic's profile

eklectic

22 posts in 662 days


posted 417 days ago

Hi Russ!
Great boxes! As you know, I do not build, but I sure love boxes! And theses are very classy!
Is that a “seed box” I see there? ;-D

-- Eklectic, Follow my Bliss!

View Russel's profile

Russel

2054 posts in 832 days


posted 417 days ago

Yes one of them is the now famous seed box. When the Mrs. saw it, there was no way it wasn’t going to be hers. ;-)

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

View n7doc's profile

n7doc

10 posts in 431 days


posted 417 days ago

Russ, I am new to woodworking and my first venture is going to be boxes. I am almost finished setting up my shop and you have inspired me to begin my learning process. Great boxes and thanks for the inspiration!

Bob in West Michigan

-- Bob in Western Michigan -- Have you hugged your tools today?

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9521 posts in 881 days


posted 417 days ago

Great looking collection of boxes!

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View dustynewt's profile

dustynewt

447 posts in 755 days


posted 417 days ago

Beautiful boxes, Russell.

-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com

View dustygirl's profile

dustygirl

767 posts in 621 days


posted 417 days ago

Love that seed box Russ.I saw one just like it on Gt. ( lol ) The Mrs. sure is one lucky gal.

-- Dustygirl..Hastings,Ontario.. How much wood can 1 gal chuck if 1 gal can't cut wood?

View jimi's profile

jimi

30 posts in 422 days


posted 417 days ago

Great looking boxes. I am curious about the butternut one at upper left. I am guessing that you assembled the box and then cut it open to create the lid. I am looking to make a box using this technique and I was wondering if you used a BS or TS to cut it open. Also did you shim the box open during the cut or leave a little material and finish with a handsaw. Thanks.

-- Jim, SE PA

View Russel's profile

Russel

2054 posts in 832 days


posted 417 days ago

Good guess Jim. That’s actually the first time I did it that way. I used my table saw to cut it because I have yet to install the riser on my bandsaw. I cut all the way through each side and did some sanding afterward. Fortunately, my hand was steady and sanding was minimal. The shim is a good idea, I wish I had thought of it.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

View Blake's profile

Blake

2748 posts in 767 days


posted 417 days ago

These are really cool, Russel! I like how you posted them as a collection. Good designs and shapes. I’ve got the fever too, its contagious. I don’t know who passed it to who though. And I’m pretty sure there is no known cure.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

View TedM's profile

TedM

1843 posts in 626 days


posted 417 days ago

Cure? Who wants to be cured? :)

Great looking collection!

-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

3458 posts in 581 days


posted 417 days ago

Great work and a very nice assortment…..: )

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

View Napaman's profile

Napaman

3482 posts in 970 days


posted 417 days ago

these are fantastic russel…you are very talented…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

View trifern's profile

trifern

7894 posts in 660 days


posted 417 days ago

Great collection of finely crafted boxes. Thanks for sharing, Russel.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7608 posts in 1111 days


posted 417 days ago

Didn’t I tell you this would happen? Now youre addicted. There is no cure. You can only get relief by making another box.

These are great, by the way!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View RAH's profile

RAH

413 posts in 770 days


posted 416 days ago

Practice makes another box and these are great, it amazes me the work that goes into making them. The spalted maple is nice thanks for sharing them with us. I like the coves and was wondering how you did them?

Ron

-- Ron Central, CA

View sharad's profile

sharad

705 posts in 697 days


posted 416 days ago

A very unique collection of boxes and you are spreading the infection. I would also like to know how you did the coves ?
Sharad

-- patanjali

View Russel's profile

Russel

2054 posts in 832 days


posted 416 days ago

Thanks for the comments folks. You are all too kind. As for the addiction, I’m blaming you Charlie. Like Trifern’s turnings, your boxes always have a distinct character to them that goes beyond the construction.

RAH and sharad, the coves were cut on the table saw by running the board across the blade at a 90 degree angle and raising it ever so slightly after each pass. I’ve seen the techique used in various places, most recently in GaryK’s work (he blogged about it here).

I’ve also used the technique in the past to make some crown molding and bought a jig from Rockler to make things a little easier.

I’ve read that by changing the angle that board goes across the blade and the angle of the blade itself you can change the symmetry of the cove. It’s a pretty cool technique that I’m sure to use again.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

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