Band Saw Box - First Try

[Dan]

Ok, it's actually my second. I'll tell you about the first later.

 

This is ambrosia maple a guy at work gave me. I used a 1/4" blade to cut it. It measures 5-1/2" x 3-1/4" and is 3-3/4" deep. Sanded on the belt sander and spindle sander then by hand. Finish is BLO/mineral spirit. I still have to let the last coat cure then I'll buff it out. I will also flock the drawer.

 

These should be called sand boxes because of the amount of time spent sanding.

 

Now, about that first box...after cutting and gluing and sanding I put the drawers in and realized a fatal mistake...I cut the cavity in the drawers on the bottom. Yikes! Well, at least that one was some cheap poplar.

Edited April 17, 2016 by Dan

[Phantom Scroller]

Dan that is some beautiful wood on your first try we'll called the other a practice piece.   Roly

[Scrolling Steve]

That turned out great Dan !....Love that wood !

[New Guy]

Nice one   You will be making more when people see it and want one.

[woodknots]

Nice work Dan. I've been meaning to give it another try. My first attempt was not successful it was before I got my scroll saw.  

[Paul hd]

Excellent work Dan. The Maple looks amazing too.

[don watson]

That looks a beauty Dan. Could you not sell the 'practice' piece to an Australian ?

[amazingkevin]

Ok, it's actually my second. I'll tell you about the first later.

 

This is ambrosia maple a guy at work gave me. I used a 1/4" blade to cut it. It measures 5-1/2" x 3-1/4" and is 3-3/4" deep. Sanded on the belt sander and spindle sander then by hand. Finish is BLO/mineral spirit. I still have to let the last coat cure then I'll buff it out. I will also flock the drawer.

 

These should be called sand boxes because of the amount of time spent sanding.

 

Now, about that first box...after cutting and gluing and sanding I put the drawers in and realized a fatal mistake...I cut the cavity in the drawers on the bottom. Yikes! Well, at least that one was some cheap poplar.

I'm thinking that my mini band saw with a 1/2" blade will not turn tight enough to make a box .what size blade do you use on your band saw?Very decorative wood you have here.!

Edited April 17, 2016 by amazingkevin

[Dan]

Thanks everyone. 

 

Don, I think you are on to something. I was thinking of sending it to the international space station. I guess things wouldn't fall out there.

 

Kevin, I used a 1/4" blade. I broke my 1/8" blade and couldn't find one locally so I have to order one.

[Rob]

Lovely box Dan and stunning piece of timber. 

 

Rob

[dgman]

Great looking box Dan! It's amazing what beatle turds will do!

[Lucky2]

Kevin, in the pattern books the recommended size of blade to use is 3/16", it turns better than the 1/4" one does.

Len

[Dan]

Here's the finished piece. I flocked the inside of the drawer. I also added some stick-on felt to the bottom of the case. This made it very quiet to slide in and centered the kerf to give it a better finished look. I added a small rubber bumper to the back so when it is pushed in the drawer is flush with the case.

 

 

[Dave Monk]

Dan. beautiful. dave

[Jim Finn]

Wow!  Nice job and great choice of wood for it.

     I also have recently made my first band saw boxes and after making a few, I stopped using a borrowed spindle sander and started using pneumatic drum sanders on my drill press.  Works way better for me. I found the spindle sanders'  hard drums were hard to control. I kept getting wavy surfaces from them. I have a 3"drum and a 1 1/2" one.  The softer pneumatic drum avoids this wavy surface problem.  They are kinda' expensive though. 

 

     I settled on using 5/16" blade and making my cuts to fit my smallest drum. 1 1/2"  To reduce the sanding required I found that minimal sanding on the inside of the box and the inside of the drawers worked well enough because I flocked these surfaces.  Dark brown flocking covers a multitude of sins, makes the drawers slide quietly and smoothly also.  It also aids in getting the reveal around the boxes even.  This flocking idea was not original with me.  I saw it in an on line video.

 

     Be cautious, band saw making can be addictive.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Jim Finn

[Dan]

Thanks Jim. I just received my 1/8" blade and will order the Carter blade stabilizer this weekend. I may try flocking the inside of the box where the drawer slides next time. I've been thinking of getting a pneumatic sander so this may also happen this weekend.

[FranMike Harley]

Awesome, Dan !!!  Nice work and love the color ..