Toybox Chest with Dovetails

You didn’t go overboard on the lifts. The children are the most precious things you have. I lost my first to an accident just before his 8th birthday.

I usually gravitate toward highly-figured wood, but the straight grain on this box is perfect! That one will be around for more than a few generations.

If that’s you’re first attempt at dovetails, we’re going to be treated to some special photos in the future!

-- Earle Wright, Lenoir City, Tennessee

Great looking chest. Very simple clean lines! Nice execution.

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

Nice work. I agree with Earle, you didn’t go overboard at all. We as woodworkers keep safety first in the shop. It should be built into the projects we provide for child rich environments. So, good job.

-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.

GREAT looking chest – clear precise lines with exceptional finish and great joinery, I agree with the reduntant saftey latch.
Kids will have it for their kids——nice family treasure——you should special engrave it.

-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ

Very nice work. When I was very young, I had a finger lopped off by a heavy desk lid that wasn’t supported well, so I always look at that stuff. They reinstalled my finger with no complications, but I’ll never forget that day.

Yeah, I agree… can’t be too safe with kids.

This chest looks awesome!!!... I love how you made the grain match all the way around the corners… the straight lines in the grain are really cool.. and the “first attempt” dovetails look fantastic! Certainly the mark of a master craftsman. Great job, you’re grandson’s grandson will treasure it 50 years from now.

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †

Very nice work, I really like the finish.

-- Max "Desperado", Salt Lake City, UT

That is very nice. Ilike the dovetails, but the whole package is a show-stopper.

Rick,

This is simply a beautiful toybox. The construction is straightforward and well executed with nice straight lines. The raised panel was a nice detail to add to the piece. And your dovetails add visual interest to the box and speak volumes about the craftmanship that went into it.

Very nice project.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

Nice Job! That will be one nice piece for the kids to use.

-- Kevin -- (http://www.furniturebykevin.com)

Welcome to Lj’s…and welcome to dovetails!!! THOSE ARE AMAZING…I have not tried any…but your comment to not start on such hard wood will help me…beautiful box…I really like the top…and the edge that comes around (oversize vs. the box) is a nice detail…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...

Great looking dovetails Rick. This is a beautiful box!

Thanks for sharing it.

-- Martin, Kansas

This looks like a great project. The dovetails turned out really well, and the raised panel in the lid gives it an additional bit of elegance.

Remarkable job. Thanks for sharing.

-- -- Joe --

That must weigh quite a bit! I’m with the rest – 2 extra hinges is nothing if it saves some fingers, or keeps a young one from a hard crack to the head. They’ll find things to bang their heads on anyway. We don’t have to provide custom-made solutions for it :)

It looks sharp and solid. Nice job on those dovetails, too!

-- Gary, Los Angeles, video game animator

Hey Rick I really like this chest well done.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com