My First Hand Tool Project... 1839 School Box

Great looking box. I am sure she will treasure it.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

And you did a fantastic job! I wish I was able to say that my first project looked that good. Oh, and thats EWP, not SYP.

Looks pretty good from here!

-- "some old things are lovely, warm still with life ... of the forgotten men who made them." - D.H. Lawrence Wake Up America!! Please read; http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/01/26-0

QUOTE ” Oh, and thats EWP, not SYP.” QUOTE

Reallly! I could have sworn that SYP… LOL ;-)

That’s a great start to the world of hand tools, congrats on a great build.

-- Every cloud has a silver lining

Looks great! Using handtools makes it look really antique! I like that “grungy” look. Only thing I would try to change is planing down the lines from marking the dovetails. That migth be the point where I would screw up a project like this due to my still small selection of hand planes (and the corresponding skill level).

I’d like to see more like this to give me ideas for my first handtool-only-project. Not sure if it will ever happen though :-)

-- Alex ----- Bavaria in Germany

Looking real good. I like it for being simple and well done :)

-- Boatbuilder&blacksmith

Nice job. You should be very proud of that box as your first hand tool only project.

-- Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.

You did a lovely job with this! And I completely understand feeling proud of something you’ve built with just hand tools—I feel the same way every time I do!

Nice Box, great acomplishment doing this all with hand tools, bet You feel stronger already, the rugged look fits this box well, great job, thanks for sharing

-- It's Mic Keep working and sharing

Very well done….

-- Dan ~ Texarkana, Tx.

Yes sir’re Bob, that EWP. I will show you some SYP next time you are over.

As far as planing the lines off.. thats a completely personal thing, I generally dont do it as I like the lines. When using a softer wood like pine, the making gauge will make a much deeper cut than in hard wood like cherry or maple, you can control this of course, but its not something to worry about with a project like this. If you do want to start planing the lines off in the future, you should have that in mind before starting the project, so that when you go to mark all your lines, you are concious of the depth of the gauge.

Also, planing down the lines can open up the joint if you created a hollow while chopping/paring out the waste. Because planing the edges will remove your sharp edge and expose the hollow. So again, you need to be concious of this before you begin, so not only not marking too deep, but also not creating to much of a hollow, if one at all.

Having said all that…. if you leave your tail board 1/32 – 1/64 proud of the pin board, not only will you have an easier time clamping (because then the pins do not interfear) but then you have that much material too plane off without comprimising the joint.

It has character!

-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher

JeremyPringle – You stated some very good points there that I shall keep in mind. Thanks! I wouldn’t have thought about opening the joint. It probably wouldn’t matter anyway in my case because I always need a whole lot of sawdust and glue … and usually don’t undercut.

-- Alex ----- Bavaria in Germany

Thanks for all the kind words everyone!

I actually really like the look when people leave the scribe lines. It gives it more of a homemade and craft like look rather than one of a store made piece. I understand that for many people it leaves the piece looking unfinished, but it just really appeals to me.