Spline-miter box

Very Fine Work, Autumn!! Very precise execution…
Welcome to LJ’s!!

-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

This is one fine box. I love the understated look and the many fine details. The wonderful craftsmanship is very apparent here. You are obviously a gifted woodworker. Looking forward to your next project.

-- Mike, American in Norway

Wow !!
This is beautiful !!
You are very talented, and creative.
What did you use for hinges?

Lisa

-- I inherited the woodworking gene and it's gone into overdrive.......

Beautiful Box.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

This is a really nice piece. I love the banding and the wood combinations.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Ellen

-- Ellen on Cape Cod

Gorgeous box. You did a great job. I love it.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

exceptional detail…

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.

“Wow” seems to be the best way to describe this box!

Not only is the design quite elegant, but the construction and finish look flawless.

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

That is exquisite. I love the wood combination and the design is fantastic. Well done & welcome aboard.

very nice – really like the banding

-- -erik & christy-

Quality fine details and outstanding workmanship. This seems to be your mantra. another fine piece.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Beautifully designed and executed. Now I need to figure out how to step up my box making… I don’t know inlay… you probably have me headed in that direction…

-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...

The banding sets the box off, but I think the detail on the ebony handle really makes it unique special. Good work.

Al

-- Al Holstein

Another “WOW” here and all I can say is “Pure Elegance”............... a superb box and design, well done !

What type of finish did you use?

Welcome to LJ’s , the most addictive site on the internet!

I am looking forward to seeing more of your boxes / projects

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

Excellent!!

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Beautiful box

-- If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!

Thank you all for your encouraging comments. I do, indeed, enjoy projects that require attention to fine details. To answer a few of the questions:

The “hinges” are inset brass rod. I plugged the holes with tiny dowels that I made by hammering a piece of mahogany through a metal drill-bit gauge. These tiny mahogany “plugs” were an afterthought, after I’d put on the finish, and it was a painstaking effort to 1) not damage the finish and 2) make it look like it was part of the original plan.

CharlieM—You made me smile. Nothing is flawless in its initial stages. I prescribe to Rustic’s philosophy that there are no such things as mistakes, only design modifications. Hence, the banding around the lift tab, which I chose as a way to hide a slip of the chisel. When I set the banding against the ebony and stood back to look at it, I knew I’d hit on something good.

The finish is multi-layers of thinned varnish, sanded between each coat. Then I lightly sanded the last coat down with 1500 grit and water (wet/dry sandpaper) and buffed-out the finish with tripoli (something I learned at one of the national woodworking shows). It creates a knock-your-socks-off gloss with a baby-bottom smooth, silky finish.

Again, thank you all for the kudos. I’m enjoying seeing all of your work and learning from you.

Beautiful box! Did you make the banding yourself?

-- I always have tomorrow to stop procrastinating. WoodyWoodWrecker

Autumn, Very impressive box. Absolutely gorgeous! Very elegant details. Welcome to LJ’s and thanks for sharing.

-- John @ Myrtle Beach

bueatiful work.

-- shavins