My first box of sorts

That’s a great box. I find boxes aren’t that simple, this one definitely wouldn’t be. I guess the only minor criticism would be the grain pattern doesn’t line up as you go around the box (picture #5). If you cut all 4 sides from one long board, 3 of the 4 grain patterns in the corners would line up. I learned that from reading Andys Art box blog. Great post, thanks for sharing.

-- Alan, Prince George

Looks great. The wood for the lid looks great.

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

Thanks Alan—I started with the rosewood which was a 3×3x12 turning blank then split it and added the maple and walnut and then resawed the slabs which after reading and listening to other stuff on box making I wish I had paid a bit more attention to.

-- Jeff - Bell Buckle, TN

Very nice looking box. Maybe we can only see the 4th, or last side.

I like it, specially the walnut and maple insets in the side of the box, that really makes it unique.

-- If you say 'It's good enough', it probably isn't.

Excellent box!

Alan’s comment has me wondering… Did you make your glue up from one long board and then cut it into four pieces to form the sides? If so it should have been easy to do as he said.

On the other hand, maybe three corners do match up, and the one unmatched corner is the one in the photos.

Inquiring minds want to know. :-)

Never mind… you answered while I was typing.

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

Charlie—the sides were taken from a glue up of a 12” turning blank—beginners mistakes—one of those lessons learned!!

-- Jeff - Bell Buckle, TN

Jeff, Great job, no apologies necessary. There have been several good articles in “Fine Woodworking” just in the last few months. If you can get access to them they are great stimulaters. One good finish I use is from Sam Maloff’s writings. 1 part good varnish, 2 parts boiled linseed oil and 3 parts turpentine. Mix it up & let it set overnight. One or more coats make a nice finish.

-- Richard, Pennsylvania

Jeff, actually I frequently don’t even think about grain matching one side of a box to the next. Sometimes I do it, but I find it’s one of those things other woodworkers notice, but “normal” folks don’t.

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

Wonderful
box Jeff great first post keep them comming

-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/

I’ve been thinking of trying to make some boxes this winter—your work here is inspiring and far better than anything I’ve attempted to date!

-- Woodworking is easy as 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510...

Jeff, that’s a great looking box, nice combination of woods. Thanks for posting.

-- John @ http://www.thehuffordfurnituregroup.com

A unique and very nice design. The contrasting woods also looked really good together. And last but not least you did a great build on it.

-- Mike, American in Norway

great box… be careful this are addicting

-- Paul , Calfornia

Jeff, very nice box….......... I like the design and the wood combination. Simple but elegant.
You chose wood with a really nice grain in it, beautiful.

Like Charlie said, it’s not “that” important” to match the grain all around. It’s the total box in the end that counts and you did a really nice job, thanks for sharing.

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