LumberJocks

Yet another box - I love 'em

Project by YorkshireStewart posted 627 days ago 1518 views 10 times favorited 38 comments Add to Favorites Watch

I’d struggled, last year, to think of something to make for Mrs YS for Christmas. I’ve made Jewellery boxes, Sewing boxes, Jewellery boxes as well as Jewellery boxes in previous years. So I eventually decided on this. It’s a “Things That Get Left on the Coffee Table” box. i.e. pens, scissors, and bits of knitting equipment that I don’t fully understand.

From my dwindling pile of really interesting bits of wood, I chose a piece of brown oak and a piece of burr/burl oak. I love wooden hinges and this became the prototype hinge for my Winter Challenge entry.

I’d set out to make the hinge entirely from bog oak but it split and crumbled dreadfully, ending up more CA Superglue than bog oak! So I cut it off, leaving a strip and glued on a length of walnut that blended nicely. It was a good outcome (I think) as I find the separation that the bog oak provides quite attractive.

The box measures 7.75” x 4.5” x 3.5” and I used my mitre trimmer for the corner joints. I used the same technique for the hinges as I did on my competition entry.

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems


38 comments so far

View teenagewoodworker's profile

teenagewoodworker

2482 posts in 668 days


posted 627 days ago

wow that is such a beautiful box. i love the look of the wood and the rough edge that was left on the front gives it a great look. the wooden hinge out of walnut is really cool too. i know that Mrs YS will love it.

View HokieMojo's profile

HokieMojo

1142 posts in 628 days


posted 627 days ago

Very nice. I’m working on my first box right now and I have to say I’m impressed when people can get the corners right like that. I have gaps. The whole thing is very nice.

View DaveBaker's profile

DaveBaker

21 posts in 651 days


posted 627 days ago

Excellent job, I second the comment about the hinge. The oak burl looks great also, what finish did you use?

-- Upstate New York -- Do what you love and never work a day in your life.

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

784 posts in 801 days


posted 627 days ago

Thanks folks.

Dave – The finish is just my oft-used simplistic approach – several applications of Danish Oil, worked in occasionally with fine wet/dry abrasive. Then a beeswax polish after a few days.

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9555 posts in 888 days


posted 627 days ago

Fantastic looking box Yorkie!

The execution is perfect and the wood selection is great!

Mrs YS should be very happy.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7696 posts in 1118 days


posted 627 days ago

Another fantastic project, Stewart. I surely do envy your hinge-making ingenuity!

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

View CedarFreakCarl's profile

CedarFreakCarl

565 posts in 954 days


posted 627 days ago

Beautiful box Stewart. The wooden hinges and live edge along with that wonderful bog oak is amazing!

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

20828 posts in 722 days


posted 627 days ago

Stewart,

The live edge was a wonderful idea. This adds an eye-catching detail to the box. Your wood selection has beautiful grain. Great post. I can well understand why you like to do these. They are habit forming.

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.

View mrtrim's profile

mrtrim

1698 posts in 780 days


posted 627 days ago

another great box sir stewart !

View mjlauro's profile

mjlauro

239 posts in 661 days


posted 627 days ago

This is a really cool box, I love the hinge.

View relic's profile

relic

342 posts in 837 days


posted 627 days ago

I don’t see this box sitting on the coffee table, maybe the mantle, filled with keep sakes. But thats just me.

-- Andy Stark

View Betsy's profile

Betsy

2386 posts in 796 days


posted 627 days ago

I’d be proud to have that box on my coffee table. Another winner!

-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.

View Blake's profile

Blake

2763 posts in 774 days


posted 627 days ago

Along with agreeing with all the other comments, the one thing I really like in particular with this box is the way you laminated different woods together as a transition to the hinge (the “stripes” on the top near the hinge). You have such a unique style, Stewart. And I really like it.

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

View Ethan's profile

Ethan

751 posts in 1074 days


posted 627 days ago

Bog oak can be a bugger to work with, Stewart. I’m glad I’m not the only one who has troubles with it! Your modification of the original plan turned out quite well, though.

Love the burl in the front of the box. I’ve always thought you didn’t need to do anything fancy with a piece when the wood gets all fancy for ya!

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3427 posts in 964 days


posted 627 days ago

Yup, splendid choice of timber as well as the signature hinges. I like the way the live edge cuts back to concave directly over that great knot on the front of the box. And the bog oak accent is wonderful as well. Another splendid box from Die Voigtländer.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

View BarryW's profile

BarryW

873 posts in 806 days


posted 627 days ago

I’ve purchased many books on boxes…and I just love this one…the hinge is just excellent and inspirational.
You let the wood speak volumes.

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14949 posts in 751 days


posted 627 days ago

Great job Stew, very impressive.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

7368 posts in 1146 days


posted 627 days ago

Mr. Stewart that is a work of art. Just beautiful, even wooden hinges, you are a craftsman of the highest caliber. I Love how you left the front part of the lid. Its great. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

View Robb's profile

Robb

356 posts in 834 days


posted 627 days ago

That is one beautiful box, YS. You’re some kind of craftsman! And for the record, I think you could post a pic of your “dwindling pile of really interesting bits of wood” and call that a project too laugh. Terrific work, I applaud your efforts.

-- Robb

View Pathpounder's profile

Pathpounder

49 posts in 794 days


posted 626 days ago

Outstanding creativity. If my wife sees this I’m in for it.

-- http://ragtimewoodwork.blogspot.com/

View Lakey's profile

Lakey

99 posts in 672 days


posted 626 days ago

The hinges are fantastic, as is the rest of the box. I’ve been wanting to try wooden hinges for awhile – the link in your entry that says “hinges” links instead to the miter trimmer. Did you blog the process for the hinges?

—Lakey

-- "No Board Left Behind"

View zebrano's profile

zebrano

120 posts in 630 days


posted 626 days ago

This box is a masterpiece,the real thing!

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

784 posts in 801 days


posted 626 days ago

Thanks, all, for your kind comments.

Lakey – Thanks very much for pointing that out. I’ve made a correction.

Ethan – here’s a photograph of the mess I got into with the Mk 1 hinge:

failed hinge

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6468 posts in 883 days


posted 626 days ago

beautiful work … you get your hands on some beautiful material !

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Dorje's profile

Dorje

1767 posts in 897 days


posted 626 days ago

pretty fantastic!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5968 posts in 966 days


posted 626 days ago

Stewart another of your outstanding project. I really like everything about this box, especially the hinges.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11335 posts in 774 days


posted 626 days ago

Man, Stewart, you never cease to amaze me. This box is wonderful. You are a true craftsman.

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14188 posts in 1061 days


posted 626 days ago

Sweet!!
I bet this was received with a BIG smile. Love that lid

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

View Gary's profile

Gary

445 posts in 1224 days


posted 625 days ago

That’s one of the nicest pieces I’ve seen in quite some time.

-- Gary, Florida

View woodup's profile

woodup

145 posts in 843 days


posted 625 days ago

Always inspiring work! Thanks for sharing!

-- Michael, Fort Worth, TX. "I wood if I could!"

View Vjer's profile

Vjer

58 posts in 658 days


posted 623 days ago

Beautiful box. I love the oak and the raw edge of the lid. Wooden hinges are a chore to make, but add so much more to the box. I am sure the Mrs. loved it.

-- My mind is like lightning...one brilliant flash and then it's gone.

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

4013 posts in 862 days


posted 622 days ago

That’s a dandy, Stewart. I was gone for 5 days and it took me 14 pages to find this. I’ll never catch up

-- Thos. Angle

View Larry's profile

Larry

194 posts in 1111 days


posted 620 days ago

WOW very nice – that grain is just beautiful.

-- "Have you hugged your pet today?" ---------- Larry

View shiney5757's profile

shiney5757

80 posts in 671 days


posted 565 days ago

Very nice box, I have to try some of this bog oak.
cheers.

-- I cut it twice & it was still too short

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

3518 posts in 588 days


posted 555 days ago

Absolutely gorgeous wood …I’m in awe over the pictures and can’t believe how much nicer it looks to you in real life. Great job , Sir !!

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

784 posts in 801 days


posted 553 days ago

Thanks again Dusty56. This is still one of my wife’s favourite pieces.

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

View stefang's profile

stefang

1656 posts in 234 days


posted 225 days ago

I love all your boxes Stewart. I’m a big fan of wooden hinges and I know about the problems they can present. I’ve seen a specialy machined jig designed by Robin Cosman for drilling the center of wooden dowels for the hinge pins, the kind used on the old Scottish tea boxes . Personally I prefer (cheaper) shopmade solutions. I found that a drillpress doesn’t really help much, even with a placement jig. My solution was to route a ‘v’ groove half the diameter of the hinge pin on to jointed half hinge pieces and then glue them with the hinge pin inside. I do this to ensure that glue doesn’t get in the groove. Right after clamping, I remove the hinge pin. After drying I turn the glued-up piece on the lathe using the routed grooves to center it on the head and tailstock. This way the hinge pin is perfectly centered. The next step is cutting the individual hinge sections after which I reinsert the hinge pin (welding rod) all the way through the set of hinge sections which keeps everything nicely aligned when glueing and clamping. The glue line is almost invisible, but i hide the top part of it in the cove where it is being glued. If done at the correct angle the other side of the glue line will be on the outside, but under the hinge where you would have to turn the box upside down to see it. The thought occurred to me that this simple technique might also be applied to other, non round types of hinges. Don’t know if this will be helpful at all, but I just wanted to pass it along in case. I just saw your workshop for the first time and it looks even more narrow than mine which is 2.3m. I guess I will just have to stop complaining and make the most of what I have, which doesn’t include that beautiful sideboard you made for your step daughter.

-- Mike, American in Norway

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

784 posts in 801 days


posted 224 days ago

Hello Mike.

Thanks for that very full and clear explanation. I’m sure I’ll find a way of using that in future. Will you be posting a picture of a finished hinge?

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

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