| Project by Birks | posted 09-16-2012 05:43 PM | 3144 views | 10 times favorited | 11 comments |  |
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I made this pencil box for a hard working teacher who just started a new job teaching high school chemistry, physical science, and physics. This is the second box I made working through Doug Stowe’s “Basic box making,” and as he states in the book, box making is a great way to learn skills without using a lot of material.
This box is ~8 1/2” x 2 ”, and is made entirely out of cherry and finished with Danish oil. The top and bottom are tongue and groove panels that fit into grooves in the sides. The top slides smoothly, and the bottom was cut undersized to allow for expansion. This was my first attempt at finger joints (and an ulterior motive for making this box), and they were made using a indexing pin on a crosscut sled.
I shaped the box on the tablesaw with a 5 degree bevel on all sides. I really like how it tapers the box joints. I also shaped the lid by finding the center width and cutting ~28 degree bevels on each end.
Thanks for looking, commenting, and any helpful critiscism!
Birks
11 comments so far
GnarlyErik
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325 posts in 2671 days
#1 posted 09-16-2012 05:48 PM
Nice work! I really like the tapered dovetails. You are obviously a careful worker, as that really shows. Your teacher should always treasure this – I hope you signed it!
-- "Never let your dogma be run over by your karma!"
Dusty56
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#2 posted 09-16-2012 08:51 PM
Very well done : )
-- I'm absolutely positive that I couldn't be more uncertain!
Birks
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#3 posted 09-17-2012 02:38 AM
Thanks all!
jrhovde
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#4 posted 09-17-2012 06:15 PM
As a science teacher myself I know you greatly appreciate people taking time to help you. I’m sure this high quality box will be a mainstay in the classroom.
vipond33
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#5 posted 09-18-2012 03:10 AM
I’m a fan of pencil boxes and this one’s a classic. Great soft curves on those flat sawn sides and some real interest in the angles. Cherry’s the best for stuff like this as it ages to great beauty. Very nicely done.
I hope your background wasn’t really yellow as I get this with mild re-work.
gene
-- [email protected] : dovetail free since '53, critiques always welcome.
Birks
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#6 posted 09-19-2012 12:07 AM
Gene, you rock! Thanks for that. I liked it so much I made it the project thumbnail!
Unfortunately my camera/photo editing skills are horrible (as you can tell). I can usually compensate by taking pictures in natural light, but unfortunately it was rainy that day. This was the result of shining two lamps on the box trying to get the right light (obviously I failed, lol). Can I send my photos to you before I post? :P (kidding of course).
Thanks for the compliments! I ended up loving the look and feel of cherry after making this box, and I’m so glad my sawyer had some small boards for me. Now if I could just find a board or two with curly figure :D
I really took my time with this, even though it is just a simple little box. I literally couldn’t wait to put the first coat of oil on it, and found myself in the shop at 1 am putting danish oil on it :)
Thanks again for taking the time to help me with the picture!
Birks
Dusty56
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#7 posted 09-19-2012 04:26 PM
Photography , just like the finish , can make or break a project. Gene did a great job bringing yours to life : )
-- I'm absolutely positive that I couldn't be more uncertain!
Birks
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109 posts in 2765 days
#8 posted 09-19-2012 10:24 PM
I spent some time fixing the pictures with some windows photo editor and managed to get rid of that ugly yellow color! I think I let out an audible sigh lol. Thanks again for the help!
Dusty56
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11852 posts in 4224 days
#9 posted 09-20-2012 12:52 AM
Yes , they look much better now : ) Good job !
-- I'm absolutely positive that I couldn't be more uncertain!
Birks
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109 posts in 2765 days
#10 posted 09-20-2012 01:22 AM
Thanks Dusty!
helluvawreck
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#11 posted 06-30-2016 05:14 PM
This is a very nice box.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
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