The Box Addiction Grows

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!

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.

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?

Great looking collection of boxes!

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

Beautiful boxes, Russell.

-- http://dustynewt.com

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

-- Dustygirl...Hastings,Ontario

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

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.

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.theeasellife.com

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

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

-- Dusty56@comcast.net

these are fantastic russel…you are very talented…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...119 days to sanity...

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

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

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"

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

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

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.