Keela's Urn Box #4: The Tray (Updated)

Similar to the box itself, I also cut the tray sides extra wide to improve handling and stability on the box joint jig. Standing narrow stock on end is a real pain. I then cut a panel groove for the bottom’s rabbeted edge. A quick and easy glue-up sat overnight and there we are:

When sizing the tray sides, I was shooting for as close a fit as I could get without being too loose or so large that I had to take off a lot of material, all while trying to account for how proud the box joints would be. I didn’t do too badly. The box turned out to be just a touch off square, so I did have to adjust for that on the sanding platen but not so much that it was a problem. I was happy to achieve a piston fit.

The tray sits proud of the box by a ¼-inch to engage the lid when it’s closed. So, I routed a profile around the top of the tray and hand sanded until the lid tilted onto it smoothly. And this is current state of affairs today:

Next up: hinge mortises and a finger lift for the lid.

UPDATE: I made a short video last night to show a couple of friends how the tray fits. (YouTube, 00:11)

-- Brett — Peters Creek, Alaska