| Project by Ron Henricksen | posted 04-07-2011 10:02 AM | 3526 views | 12 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
 |
This project was all about learning a new skill (Dovetails). The bins will not doubt be very useful but I really wanted to make a full box with dovetailed corners. If they looked terrible well there in the cupboard who cares. I am happy to say that they are very nice. There is a scrap box in the shed full of practice pieces dovetailed together with various degrees of success. I watched many videos and read a lot of articles that explained how to fix them when they are less than perfect (most of mine were). You can see in picture six some of the repair work. I finally picked out some Maple and Mahogany and started on this simple project and was very happy with my success. It was really time consuming to make all those dovetails but the result is square and very solid.
Even my son with his one year of high school wood shop is impressed. The second box is me finishing a jig I started long ago to make box joints. It was more accurate and way faster than the dovetails. This is a great learning project, I highly recommend it.
Maple and African Mahogany, Birch 1/4 bottom. Finish is whip on poly (4 coats) with 1 coat of wax.
-- Ron, Aptos, CA
13 comments so far
Bradford
home | projects | blog
1434 posts in 4385 days
#1 posted 04-07-2011 12:02 PM
Excellent box joints and dovetails. Especially, for taters and onions. Every time you reach for one, you’ll feel you’re making a high quality meal. Beautiful work. Thanks
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford. Wood-a-holics unanimous president
KnotCurser
home | projects | blog
2033 posts in 3631 days
#2 posted 04-07-2011 12:41 PM
Wow! If this is your first attempt at hand-cut dovetails you have NOTHING to be ashamed about! These are really good.
I also like the box joints – to me they look better on a box than dovetails since all four sides are balanced better.
The wood used is really nice as well – nice contrast. I would be proud to display these boxes in the open and not closed up inside of a closet. :-)
If I may make one note apart from the joints – if you would have used a smaller hand-hole or even an external handle you could have fit more in each box. The hand holes look really large.
Great job!
-bob
-- Robert Rhoades WoodWorks / Email: [email protected] / www.rhoadesclan.com
4thumbs
home | projects | blog
153 posts in 3709 days
#3 posted 04-07-2011 03:02 PM
Good choice of lumber, and nicely done!
-- 4thumbs in MO
Gene Howe
home | projects | blog
11909 posts in 3991 days
#4 posted 04-07-2011 04:21 PM
Bob,
In looking at picture three, the one showing them in the pantry, and judging the size next to that package of buns, it appears that the holes sized for a comfortable hand fit. They look big cuz the boxes are small.
-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
hickeymad
home | projects | blog
158 posts in 3572 days
#5 posted 04-07-2011 07:24 PM
Like ‘em. Nice to both get practice at a new skill and create something useful and beautiful. Enjoy!
Bertha
home | projects | blog
13569 posts in 3255 days
#6 posted 04-07-2011 07:32 PM
I think they look fantastic. If these are your first, I’d hate to see you in a few years. Excellent job.
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
Dan
home | projects | blog
3653 posts in 3443 days
#7 posted 04-07-2011 08:05 PM
I have several different small boxes made with Maple and Mahogany. I really like the contrast of those two woods.. Nice work!
-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"
Ken90712
home | projects | blog
17794 posts in 3751 days
#8 posted 04-08-2011 01:28 AM
Well done the joints look great!
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
Beginningwoodworker
home | projects | blog
13345 posts in 4235 days
#9 posted 04-08-2011 01:33 AM
Neat idea, I like the joinery.
Ryan
home | projects | blog
238 posts in 3492 days
#10 posted 04-08-2011 01:44 AM
Maybe the degree of success varies but overall it’s excellent.
Next one would be really sharp.
itsmic
home | projects | blog
1419 posts in 3681 days
#11 posted 04-08-2011 02:18 AM
Very nice, practice makes perfect, we are all practicing, for some first attempts those are some good looking joints, I like your box designs and wood combination, thanks for sharing
-- It's Mic Keep working and sharing
Ivan
home | projects | blog
15286 posts in 3430 days
#12 posted 04-08-2011 11:55 AM
Nice contrast
-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted
WWilson
home | projects | blog
106 posts in 3625 days
#13 posted 01-14-2012 05:50 AM
These bins are awesome! Nice work on the joinery! Keep up the good work!
-Will
Have your say...