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I had finally had enough dumping out all the cutters to find the one I need…so I made another Dremel tool box for my Grand Rapids shop. The last shot shows the "before" case.

This one is made from female box elder ( I call it sponge wood because it soaks up finish like crazy). The body is 3/8" thick and it was lock-miter joined all the way around - top and bottom included - and then cut apart on the band saw. I put in 4 walnut splines for the tray to sit on. I was going to make the tray out of box elder but when I put it through the planer to get it 1/4" thick, it blew apart in lots of pieces …so I used 1/4" maple plywood for the tray. Inside the tray are 3 cutter holder blocks of 3/4 maple plywood with a box elder handle in the center of each one. I still need to find six square plastic containers to hold the extra sanding drums and discs in the bottom of the box.!

I had to get some lathe time on this project so I turned the center of the handle and then shaped the ends and installed 2 - 1/4-20 threaded inserts to accept the handle bolts

It is 8 1/2" x 12" x 6 1/2" high and finished with 3 coats of sanding sealer and 3 coats of clear semi gloss lacquer.

A couple things I learned on this project: without seeing the cutters out in the open I have purchased duplicates when I didn't need to. Also, on the sanding sealer, I have looked at the shellac for years at Menards , trying to find the wax free stuff. Well, this sanding sealer is the WAX FREE shellac!

I added some process shots below taken during the work on this box: I had to make an edge preserver board to clamp on the piece when I ran it flat across the lock miter bit. Without it, the edge that is cut to a point can collapse and dip into the cutter causing a crooked cut edge.














Cheers, Jim

Gallery

Comments

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I realy like your work,mate
beautiful box
 

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Nice box Jim!.

I have the same issue with my Dremel stuff. The original box is crammed full and I can't find the bit I need.

Your wood choice is great. I love how the red streak looks like a blood smear, gives the whole project that "well used" look that often takes many years of careful use to avoid 8^)
 

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Well planned, Jim! And beautiful wood choice, too!

I must admit, my Dremel looks a whole lot like your last picture.
 

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good looking box and wood choice is great
 

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That wood looks amaizing!! I'm looking closely other photos an learning…
 

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nice work jim,great way to keep that tool and parts organized in a very beautiful box.
 

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Really nice Jim! Looks well conceived and very handy.
 

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That is great! I have the same problem with my multiple dremel boxes (I have several different dremel tools and each time I buy a new set of attachments they come in mini boxes which always seem to break after a few uses - the plastic boxes not the dremel parts.)

Thanks for posting
 

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Great build and a beautiful box. Its very functional too.
I like the way you've used the splines, structually, esthetically and as a way to hang the tray. I've never seen that done before. I have a question though, does female box elder have that red color running through the grain? Is it sap wood or artifically stained or something else? The handle is another great feature.
All in all, a very striking and utilitarian box!!!
jon
 

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nice work. I thought it was ambrosia maple at first glance. nice looking.
I like the swoop in the lid sides, gives it a different look.
Overall nice job.
 

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Thanks you all for the nice comments. it will be a pleasure to use the Dremel now.

Hi Jeff. I have a shop in Grand Rapids and one in Casa Grande, Az in our park. I made Dremel boxes #1 & 2 down there last winter..one for me and one for LJ Chuck Andrews.

Hi Jon. Only the female box elder gets the red in it and the red runs through all the wood…not just the sap wood. It is a natural color that will turn brown after being in the sun light too long.
This big log was from LJ Garry Strout and cut up by LJ kposty…Thanks Garry and Ken

Hi Jeff. the little black holes in the wood by the red color look a lot like the holes in ambrosia maple…maybe the same beetle??? I like to cut a curve in a box when I have it glued all up in one piece. A curve is easier to cut on the band saw than a straight line, too. and it adds to the openness of the box with the lid up!!

Cheers, Jim
 

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Very nice. I need to make me one. Looks better than the one dremel makes.
 

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Nice box Jim, will keep you organised. Dremel machines have gone out of my work shop, have found they are not as
efficient as previous and this agreed to by others I have spoken to. One firm I dealt with has returned his stock.
Love that Box Elder, hard to find down here. Cheers.
 

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Yup, Dremel box (plastic one) looks like mine, except I have the cordless version, some day will need to build something almost as nice as yours?
 

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Nice one Jim. That box elder sings like a canary on this one. It took me a few minutes to figure how you did the handle on the lathe but I got it. Nifty.
 

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Beautiful and well done. Excellent !!! Mel
 

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Jim, I love it when someone builds a box that solves a problem. Very purpose-driven creation you have here. The flame maple is beautiful.
 
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