| Project by Blake | posted 142 days ago | 682 views | 14 times favorited | 36 comments | ![]() |
I finally finished this box! This box (or “valet”) is for my boss in trade for tools that I took home from the used tool store (where I work) several months ago. He has been nice about encouraging my passion, and letting me build him boxes has been great practice and has allowed me to acquire some awesome new (used) tools.
The agreement was that I would build a jewelry box for his wife (already posted here) and a valet for him. Some of the tools that I got as part of the trade were a Jet Air filter, a Delta Hollow Chisel Mortising Machine, along with several smaller items and hand tools (I think I got the better end of the bargain!)

My boss had come up with the idea of a valet, and I spent quite a bit of time with him tying to design it for how he wanted it to look and work. There are a lot of commercially made valets on the internet that didn’t appeal to him. He wanted something that would keep his cell phone, PDA and mp3 player charged, and allow a place for a wallet, incoming or outgoing mail, and other miscellaneous items. This is what we came up with.
I had a pretty good idea in my head and on paper of what I was going to build. But something just wasn’t right, although I couldn’t put a finger on it. It really had me frustrated for a while. I think this is why I put it off for so long. Finally I built up the courage to give Todd a call and ask for some design advice.
He promptly emailed me some sketches and photos with some great ideas and it all fell into place. He also called me and we talked on the phone for over an hour about this project and woodworking in general. All I can say is what a nice guy, and a pro, and I look foreword to the day I can meet him in person and see his work.
I had to include the drawing he sent me because it is just so cool:
Anyway, The overall design had not changed, but he was able to point out some of the details that really brought the box to life. He helped give me a clear vision of the project and for the first time I was actually excited to get started. (Thanks Todd!)
The front compartment is lined with suede but under the suede there is a 1/2” gap that runs along the top and bottom of that section. This way cords can easily be pushed up through the base to charge the electronics. There is also space underneath the box and small arched holes in the back so they can easily run under the box and out the back.
I spent a lot of time shaping the lid edges and pull. I did this mostly with power sanders including a mini disk sander chucked up in my cordless drill. I originally used a quarter round-over bit in the router table to shape the lid sides but it ended up looking very commercial and boring. After a lot of power sanding I achieved this nice “pillow top” look which I believe is much more organic. The finger pull has a nice soft feel to it when you grab it. It almost feels like your fingers have shaped it over time.
I wish the photos did that Walnut lid justice. The figure is wavy and feathery from where a branch grew nearby. The grain and the figure both intersect at the lid pull.
The Specs: Philippine Mahogany and Black Walnut, box joints on the new Incra Router Table (slick man, slick), brass pins to hinge the lid, lid shaped mostly by power sanding, oiled with boiled linseed oil, all compartments lined with sued, size: 10” x 14” x 3 1/2”.
A few more photos:





I am really happy with this one and it’s nice to build another box again because it seems like it’s been a while.
-- Dust collectors suck.
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36 comments so far
GaryK
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8183 posts in 379 days
posted 142 days ago
Looks cool. I like the grain pattern on the lid!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
CedarFreakCarl
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281 posts in 444 days
posted 142 days ago
That’s pretty dang nice Blake. Nice box joints. Love the mahogany & walnut combination. And you’re right, I think you made out like a bandit.
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
Douglas Bordner
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2261 posts in 455 days
posted 142 days ago
Very cool on so many levels. I’m glad to hear of your collaborative process with Todd on this, and it’s an extremely handsome and functional piece. That sculpted lid/tab is so sweet! I really like the off-center location of the tab and the way you worked the color disparity in the walnut into a sense of movement. I have been stuck for months in a creative and weather-induced coma (hard to get psyched about woodworking in a sub-freezing workshop). Got to make something with ideas based from you two fellas work together. Thanks Guys!
Wowzers…
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Jeff
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941 posts in 485 days
posted 142 days ago
Great work Blake. I like everything about it.
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
mrtrim
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1484 posts in 271 days
posted 142 days ago
thats a class act blake . as your projects usually are . you also picked a great go to guy . keep up the great work
-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes
Tomcat1066
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556 posts in 187 days
posted 142 days ago
Great job Blake! I suspect your boss is thinking that he got the better end of the deal now ;)
-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!
Blake
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1811 posts in 265 days
posted 142 days ago
Thanks for all the nice comments, everyone! You are all too kind.
I just delivered it to my boss and he was ecstatic. I wish I didn’t have to give it away, I really like this one. But knowing how much he appreciated it helped me let go. I might make another one for myself.
I guess you could say this is my belated “Not just any box” entry.
-- Dust collectors suck.
mjlauro
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191 posts in 152 days
posted 142 days ago
Great Job Blake, Looks awesome.
Grumpy
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3852 posts in 242 days
posted 142 days ago
You should keep that job forever Blake. Nice work on the project.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Todd A. Clippinger
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2450 posts in 490 days
posted 142 days ago
Blake, WOW! What can I say? Great interpretation of a valet. I am so humbled that you asked for my input but it is your interpretation and skill that brought it to life.
Great choices on the options we talked about. You know what else is great about it? The way that you placed the grain, handle, and knot of the black walnut. That really says a lot for your sense of design and balance.
Very clean and tight work. Nice mix of wood, but not overdone. The simplicity is it’s sophistication.
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
Rymann
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10 posts in 169 days
posted 142 days ago
Incredible. And incredibly executed. Very nice!
Scott Bryan
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7806 posts in 213 days
posted 142 days ago
Very nice Blake. But to be honest I am not sure who got the better deal here. The walnut is gorgeous.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
bfd
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155 posts in 198 days
posted 142 days ago
Hi Blake,
The valet is awesome. The walnut top and mahogany make a great combo. I love the top detail along with the box joints. Flawlessly executed.
-- bfd, Folsom, CA
clieb91
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276 posts in 326 days
posted 142 days ago
Blake that looks great. The lid and the placement of the handleand the knot in the wood just makes it look really cool. Far betterthen those found in stores or online.
CtL
-- Chris L. "Don't Dream it, Be it."
CharlieM1958
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3538 posts in 609 days
posted 142 days ago
Blake, I’m blown away by this piece! It is awesome in every way…. functionality, construction, and beauty. This sucker has it all. Looks like you have scored well in the tool department, too.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Bob A in NJ
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291 posts in 390 days
posted 142 days ago
This is a very cool little project.
-- Bob A in NJ
RobS
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1000 posts in 697 days
posted 142 days ago
That is just awesome. Isn’t it great when you know your customer well enough to cooperate like that?!
Well done Blake!
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
Thos. Angle
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3246 posts in 353 days
posted 142 days ago
Yeah Buddy, that is a dandy!!! Great lay out and final design. Your best yet.
-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon
Dorje
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1695 posts in 388 days
posted 142 days ago
Your (boss’) valet is so great! Just stunning. That walnut is something else. Like a waterfall, flowing through the handle. I’m favoriting this one! It’ll go alongside the companion project, which is one of my favorite little boxes.
Can you tell me about installing the brass rod for the hinge. I like the idea of that and have wanted to try it out. Do you bore teh hole a wee bit tight or dead on? Also, what do you use to affix the rod in the lid? Super glue? Epoxy?
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
Tony
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520 posts in 421 days
posted 142 days ago
LOVE IT – The lid really sets it apart from commercial boxes, very nicely made. Good Photographs as well. I think you had a fair deal – what a great way to increase you tool collection.
-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)
davidtheboxmaker
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248 posts in 196 days
posted 141 days ago
Great valet. The lid is awesome – the flow of the handle and the use of grain really makes this a first class piece of work.
MsDebbieP
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10984 posts in 551 days
posted 141 days ago
apploauding!!
Gorgeous box .. and the “LJ teamwork” makes me smile :)
I too really like the lines of the wood making their way to the beautiful little handle.
Well done
well done
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
cajunpen
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5256 posts in 457 days
posted 141 days ago
Great looking valet Blake. The walnut is beautiful and I appreciate the shaping on the lid. I wish I had a boss that supported my work – heck, I’d be happy just to have a boss I’d met. Got a new Chief on the 14th of January and to date, I’ve not seen or even talked to him – but that is a good thing :-)) Working Night Shift may not be that bad after all.
Great looking Valet – Todd’s advise really paid off.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
Critterman
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439 posts in 201 days
posted 141 days ago
Blake, excellent on all levels, collaboration, craftsmanship, design, ...ah, did I leave anything out?? :>) All joints are excellent, wood species look great together, that handle is perfect…OK I’ve run out of words…lol. You did an outstanding job all the way around, way to go!
-- Jim Hallada, Newport News, VA, soon to be Chesterfield, VA
rpmurphy509
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284 posts in 245 days
posted 141 days ago
Can’t say much more than what has already been said. Great design and execution on the valet.
Really like the pillowed lid, makes me want to touch it (inviting).
-- Still learning everything
Blake
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1811 posts in 265 days
posted 141 days ago
Thanks everyone. The success of this box has inspired me to take the tightness and “machined” look possible from the Incra jig, and combine it with a more fluid, free-form and organic look of hand shaping in future projects. I think it makes a great combination and balance.
Dorje: Using the brass pin for the hinge is the easiest method I’ve used, and this was the first time I’ve done this. Here are some tips:
-- Dust collectors suck.
jude
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129 posts in 340 days
posted 141 days ago
nice job Blake!
-- life can always be weaved into a song.
rikkor
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6489 posts in 265 days
posted 141 days ago
This is really great. I like the allowance for recharging the electronics. Nice touch. Overall maybe you didn’t get the best of your boss…
-- Maplewood, MN
Dorje
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1695 posts in 388 days
posted 141 days ago
Thanks for the detailed description of the process! I’ll print this out and keep as a reference. It’s a technique I’ve wanted to try, so really appreciate the feedback you’ve given here!
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
FritzM
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78 posts in 203 days
posted 140 days ago
Nicely done Blake! I love the fact that the piece has such specific function and dimensions and that within that fairly rigid framework you found a place for your artistic expression, the lid. The contrast of machined and “freeform” work, to my eye, is what makes this piece such a success. Todd’s sketch offered a great starting point but we could all interpret it quite differently and you made a masterpiece of it! Thanks for walking us through the details too!
-- Fritz Oakland, Ca http://www.muegenburg.com (dedicated to my other hobby)
RobH
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251 posts in 440 days
posted 140 days ago
Blake,
Great design. I’m sure your boss will love it. Good design and very well executed construction.
Keep up the good work!
-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA
Steffen
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229 posts in 426 days
posted 137 days ago
Nice Boxes Blake…I’m not so sure you got the better end of the deal…you’re selling yourself short.
-- Steffen
sharad
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244 posts in 195 days
posted 137 days ago
Very good piece of work with lot of thinking put in the process. Extra photos and other details are welcome.
Sharad
-- patanjali
Jimboe
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58 posts in 141 days
posted 134 days ago
Nice work blake love the rounded lid
GMoney
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88 posts in 194 days
posted 112 days ago
you know what blake? i know you do! anyway that valet box is really slick. you’re right about the pillow top on the lid and organic is a great descriptive word for it. i love the way the grain flows right into the handle. great placement on that! you really did a great job on this one and it shows. your work is really moving into a well refined esthetic and you’re getting a personal style going.
-- Greg, CT
crookedshack
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35 posts in 173 days
posted 16 days ago
WOW! That is a really nice piece. Everything about that box/valet is impeccable. I am favoriting this and adding you as a buddy so that I can see all of your future projects. Great job and again, that is incredible.
-- Joe, Indiana, http://www.crookedshack.com