Interlocking Miter Joints

That’s a very interesting miter joint. What possesed you to make this joint? Strength, the look of the joint or the challenge?

-- Jesus is Lord!

An interesting looking joint. Do you use a router for this ? I don’t recall if I’ve ever seen a joint like this.
Do you have a diagram ?

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

That’s really nice; a cool design and interesting joinery.
Do the sides slide together like a half-lap bridle joint?

Merry Christmas,
Gary

-- Gary, Florida. http://www.penturners.org/forum/f70/servicepens-2013-a-98908/

Don,

I really like the creative thinking on the use of the interlocking miter joints – and the skill to pull them off with such exacting detail should be noted, as well!

I’m intrigued by your choice of woods. Douglas fir is pretty much on the extreme soft end of the Janka Hardness Table (coming just after most of the pines), while ebony is certianly on the opposite extreme. What criteria do you follow for wood selection? Is it strictly asthetic value? Or is it availability? Or maybe something else?

I find the ebony slightly distracting… I think there is too much competetion for attention between the lid and the joints of the box. After some thought, I don’t even think it is the wood selection (though in a larger piece, you might have some concerns with the wood movement of the douglas fir compared to the wood movement of the ebony). I think it is the way the ebony protrudes above the level of the lid. Maybe if it were more of an inlay, instead, that might turn the ebony into more of the accent I think you were trying to go for?

If you were to go that route, I would further suggest the lines of the inlay somehow mimic or enhance the lines of the box. For example, inlay a square in the lid, where the outer edges of the ebony inlay are lined up with what would be the inner edges of the box. Or expand the lid dimensions slightly and then make it so that the ebony inlay falls exactly on the sides of the box.

-- Ethan, http://thekiltedwoodworker.com

Wow! Love the box!
Isn’t the joint of Japanese origin? How did you cut it?
Cheers
Phil

Thanks guys. I’ve just posted a blog that should answer your question on this joint. It’s from an article I wrote about the subject for a club newsletter. If after reading that article, you still have questions, just ask and I’ll do my best to answer them.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hillsbiblechurch.org/

Ethan, I appreciate your observations.

In this case I choose the wood partly on what was available in my supply, and also for the aesthetics.

AS for the design, it’s not mine. It’s based on a Tony Lydgate design. He calls it the Castle Box, but I don’t like that name. I believe the primary design influence is the work of Green & Greene of the ‘arts and crafts’ movement. This style features exposed joinery and dark wood. Post and beam structures also feature prominently.

I take your point about the design, Ethan, but as I am not taking credit for the design, I’ll have to direct your criticisms to Lydgate.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hillsbiblechurch.org/

I like the design and I don’t mind the protrusions on the top, and I’ll bet Ethan might as well if the sides were also Quartersawn to match the top (perhaps the top could have been a bit larger, but I wouldn’t know unless I could compare). I think the plainsawn sides/qtr sawn top is distracting… The reverse would have probably worked, if not all qtr sawn though. so as to have fewer competing focal elements – (but don’t paint it) – Just my two cents.

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Van Gogh -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Scott, good comment, and I must take responsibility for this. I think you are correct in your observation.

I can’t recall now, but the way I cut the wood may have been a consequence of the available material. Although, I must confess this aspect of the design didn’t enter my mind. It’s something I will need to be conscious of in the future.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hillsbiblechurch.org/

you sir, are an ispiration

-- Cheers

you sir, are an inspiration

-- Cheers

another interesting box. very well done.

-- keeping myself entertained

This is a great box. It really shows some precise woodworking skill. Thanks for posting it Don. (Gee, you’d think you like small wooden boxes)

Unusual very nice reminds me of some of the japanes joints wood joints that islol.well done thanks for sharing.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease