Jewelry Box

[OzarkSawdust]

Not sure if this is the right spot...but I'll throw it out and maybe someone knows of a better forum to post it to.

What I need is an easy to build, easy to modify jewelry box pattern. A "base box" if you will that I can modify easily for different people. Nothing too fancy

Need it about "medium size" 6 or 7" x 4 or 5"...?

Simple tray...or not...?

Something I can do different fretwork, mermaid, wolf head, other type of design and glue onto the base box. Or a photo frame insert...2 3/4" on top? Possibly an inlay on the top...if I practice more lol. 

I'll use Oak, walnut or some nice hardwood, maybe two different ones for light/dark effect.

I've had a few requests for this and all want different themes. I just thought if I had an easy to make base box I could change the theme and not have to "reinvent the wheel" each time! 

Not under a strict timeline, but I probably need to have the first one ready to go in 2-2 1/2 weeks. That one will go to a single mother who has breast cancer. I'll do a photo frame insert for a picture of her and her daughter.

Any help is appreciated!

P. S.   I know some of you make solid boxes and cut the top off with a band saw, I think Jim Finn does this, but I don't have a band saw, or planer, or jointer...yet.

 

Edited September 19, 2020 by OzarkSawdust

[dgman]

Gary, do you have a table saw? I have a table saw blade that is about 1/16 thick. I use it to cut the top off of boxes. It is carbide tipped so it leaves a very smooth cut. I just build a closed box, the size I want, then cut the top off at the desired thickness. The blade cuts so smooth that it needs very little sanding. For your purpose  you would apply your design to the top piece first, then glue it to the top of the box, sand the box to finish, then cut the top off and sand It smooth.

[OzarkSawdust]

2 hours ago, dgman said:

Gary, do you have a table saw? I have a table saw blade that is about 1/16 thick. I use it to cut the top off of boxes. It is carbide tipped so it leaves a very smooth cut. I just build a closed box, the size I want, then cut the top off at the desired thickness. The blade cuts so smooth that it needs very little sanding. For your purpose  you would apply your design to the top piece first, then glue it to the top of the box, sand the box to finish, then cut the top off and sand It smooth.

I'm confused...but that's nothing new...lol. Aren't you limited to the height you can raise the blade from the tabletop? Or instead of making one pass, as you would on a bandsaw, do you turn the box and make a pass on each side?

If multiple passes, does the fence keep the cut line exact as you do each side, in theory it should...but in actuality...?? 

[dgman]

You do have to make multiple passes. As long as your fence is sturdy and doesn’t flex or move around it will keep all cuts exactly in line, providing you keep the box firmly against the fence. Many years ago, I took a Dovetail box class at Highland Hardware in Atlanta with Frank Klauss. This is how he taught us to assemble the box after we hand cut the dovetails. We glued the box together, four sides, top and bottom so it was a complete box. Then we cut the top off and installed the hinges. Of course if you are going to scroll or inlay the top, you will do that first, then assemble, then cut the top off. You might want to practice first before trying it out on a real project. I would show that box but my son has it.

[new2woodwrk]

@OzarkSawdust  I'm sending you a pdf it will be large hopefully it will go

If not let me know and I'll post it where you can down load it

It's a book of box patterns

Edited September 19, 2020 by new2woodwrk

[OzarkSawdust]

1 hour ago, new2woodwrk said:

@OzarkSawdust  I'm sending you a pdf it will be large hopefully it will go

If not let me know and I'll post it where you can down load it

It's a book of box patterns

Got it...thank you! Have you made any that you could post pictures of?

[jollyred]

Check in Steve Good's site, Scrollsaw Workshop.  He has a lot of different boxes in his library.  You should find something in there to suit your purpose.

Tom

[OzarkSawdust]

13 hours ago, jollyred said:

Check in Steve Good's site, Scrollsaw Workshop.  He has a lot of different boxes in his library.  You should find something in there to suit your purpose.

Tom

A lot of his are small slide on & off top. others are tab construction, I've done a couple, not what I had in mind. But the "Horse Box" does give me some ideas to build differently, If I don't find something. Thanks!

[new2woodwrk]

16 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

Got it...thank you! Have you made any that you could post pictures of?

Welcome,

No, I'm not good enough to make boxes yet

Hope that helps though, can't wait to see what you create

[OzarkSawdust]

6 hours ago, new2woodwrk said:

Welcome,

No, I'm not good enough to make boxes yet

Hope that helps though, can't wait to see what you create

I've been wanting some real Cajun food, it's been way too long. So we're taking this week and making a "Gumbo Run"!  Won't be in the shop for a week. 

[new2woodwrk]

59 minutes ago, OzarkSawdust said:

I've been wanting some real Cajun food, it's been way too long. So we're taking this week and making a "Gumbo Run"!  Won't be in the shop for a week. 

LOL - We just had a southern Shrimp boil for dinner - good stuff

[amazingkevin]

Great tips an tricks thanks