finger joint boxes

Great looking boxes! Danish oil will let the cedar smell through as it is not a solid surface finish and can be rejuvenated easily for years to come!.

-- Dennis, WV

I agree Danish oil would suit this project well.
I’m just now building my box joint jig in the shop. I am looking forward to making boxes like you have here.

-- Kelly, woodworker under construction

Kelly, it took me four tries before I got the jig & “key” set up correctly. I almost gave up on it. It has to be precise! I got plans off Woodsmith (http://www.woodsmithshop.com/). Good luck & have fun with it!

Try Antique Improver, you’ll love the finish. It’s a little expensive, but easy to put on and it really makes the grain pop; plus the piece will darken a bit over time.

-- Don, Royersford, PA

Nice boxes. I would clear coat them with something- maybe lacquer to protect the surface…Jim

-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!!

Another vote for a clear finish of some kind. Otherwise they will surely get grubby over time.

—Russ

-- My table saw laughs at hot dogs. http://thesorteddetails.blogspot.com/

Polyurethane would show the grain on both the cedar and the oak nicely. And would provide a protective finish. I usually don’t apply any finish to the inside of the cedar boxes. You do want to finish the outside of them both. Otherwise oily finger prints will cause a blotchy look that will take away from the craftsmanship of the boxes.

-- Pops ~ In So Cal...

Protective finish outside (of your choice), inside left unfinished for aromatic enjoyment. Wonderful how the smell seems to concentrate inside a closed Cedar box.

-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging. http://www.theartofboxes.com

very nice job on the boxes. I’m sure the kids will love them. I recently made 6 of these as gifts, also. They were so popular I got orders for 10 more. I finished mine with water based poly satin finish.

How about a simple wax finish ?
I like to use Goddard’s Cabinet Makers Wax on many of my small projects. It was suggested to me by Tommy at my local WoodCraft store several years ago , and I’ve been using it ever since : ) It has a pleasant aroma , goes on nicely , and leaves a beautiful finish while enhancing the grain patterns. As an added bonus , you could finish the boxes with the kids : ) How much joy would that bring to you and yours ! : )
Happy Holidays !

EDIT : Link to NEW Importer of the paste wax that I use, NOT the spray polish.
http://www.woodcentral.com/woodworking/forum/archives.pl/bid/1110/md/read/id/412863/sbj/purchasing-info/

”The paste wax (a beautiful mixture of beeswax & carnauba)was discontinued in America. My Father and I used other waxes from time to time but there is nothing that compares to this paste wax. It applies so easily, doesn’t fingerprint, and smells of lemon verbena. If you have used it you would know, and if you havn’t get some. Please understand its the paste wax that I am referring to and not the other Goddards polishes.”

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

We, the woodworkers club, built 15 of those boxes about a year ago. Assuming that yours are on your table saw, ours were alomost the same size as yours.
Our club was asked if we could make “memory boxes” for the hospital to place baby items in…....to be given to mothers that loose their babies, stil borne, premature or however the unfortunate death occures.

how did you carve out those little pulls?

AaronK It’s a WoodSmith Shop project…enjoy the pdf : )

http://www.woodsmithshop.com/download/305/slidinglidboxes.pdf

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

AAron & Dusty,
It takes some finagling at the drill press to create the finger groove. Woodsmith says 8º angle but my lids wouldn’t let the chuck all the way down to make the cut with a forrester bit. Experimenting with angles and lid placement let me barely bypass the lid at 15º. Watch carefully that you stop boring before breaking through the 1/4” thickness.
Once I had an improvised jig clamped to the press, the rest were easy.

I always thought it stabilizes the wood, to do the the same to each side of a piece of wood otherwise you might experience some warping especially in top panel.
I think maybe Danish Wood oil all over, then possibly Wipe on Poly on outside.

Beautiful WORK!!

-- Nick, Virginia, http://www.etsy.com/shop/NONICKSWOOD