Snake Box
07-25-2015
This has been a fun project for a number of reasons. Number one being that I used salvaged material to make my Snake Box. Number two… I used all hand tools. Number three… I made the box hardware by hand. Number four… everyone needs at least one Snake Box!
The wood I used is from a shipping pallet. Looks and smells like oak. I used the best pieces I had but didn’t worry too much about how rough, knotty, warped or twisted they were. I did try to avoid splits. I used a scraper before finishing (no sandpaper)
I edged planed and glued up pieces for the sides and ends.
I cut tails on the front and back and pins on the ends.
I had one piece of poplar off the same pallet and used it for the bottom. I cut ship lap edges and nailed to the bottom with square clinch nails.
I made the bottom band board and cut in a groove with a moulding plane. Then dovetailed the corners.
I cut another band board for the top and dovetailed corners on this as well. I held it down from the top slightly to give a lip for the top to rest on.
The lid was a bit of a joinery puzzle for me but it turned out pretty cool. I tried to make it similar to a tool chest lid.
The finish is a combination of wiping stains, (pecan, mahogany, walnut), and gel stains, (walnut, and spanish oak). I just kept fussing with it until I liked it. Then a very light coat of BLO.
The hardware was fun to make and I would recommend it to anyone for a make-in-yourself experience. I just used flat steel and two sizes of steel rod. I cut out the pieces with a hacksaw and then bent them with a hammer in a bench vise. I drilled the holes with a hand brace. To get the look I wanted I soaked the hardware and screws in water with chlorine and then rinsed with water and oiled.
I still need to make a stop for the lid so it doesn’t open too far. And I am adding some gold leaf lettering on the inside of the lid that says SNAKES. I will post that when it is finished.
So… there it is. A snake box to keep everything SNAKE.
-- Being focused on a project is the best meditation, it allows you to live in the moment"
7 comments so far
stefang
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17040 posts in 4303 days
#1 posted 07-26-2015 03:55 PM
You did a great job on this box Skip. I was going to compliment you on the hardware before I read that you actually made it yourself. Even better, and the chlorine treatment really gave it an antiqued look. I was going to ask you why you called it a snake box until I saw the last photo.
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
helluvawreck
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32122 posts in 3836 days
#2 posted 07-26-2015 05:24 PM
That’s a nice box and suits the purpose.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
Skip Mathews
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120 posts in 2819 days
#3 posted 07-26-2015 07:13 PM
I think snakes are really cool. So… this box is to keep stuff about snakes like pictures, shed snakeskins, books, toys, tricks, etcetera. Everything Snake. I see a lot of people who either run away in disgust or kill as their first reaction. I think it is better to be kind and learn more.
-- Being focused on a project is the best meditation, it allows you to live in the moment"
JoeinGa
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7741 posts in 2976 days
#4 posted 07-26-2015 09:34 PM
I aint got NO USE for any snakes … but I do like this box and I LOVE the hardware you made !
-- Perform A Random Act Of Kindness Today ... Pay It Forward
Skip Mathews
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120 posts in 2819 days
#5 posted 07-27-2015 10:33 PM
I have lots of snakes in my yard…
Like this one…
-- Being focused on a project is the best meditation, it allows you to live in the moment"
Mean_Dean
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7057 posts in 4117 days
#6 posted 07-27-2015 11:47 PM
Well, this is the first snake box I’ve ever seen! It looks great, and I really like your hand-made hardware!
Snakes don’t bother me—but I prefer they stay outside!
-- Dean -- "Don't give up the ship -- fight her 'till she sinks!" Capt James Lawrence USN
Skip Mathews
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120 posts in 2819 days
#7 posted 07-28-2015 12:36 AM
I like them better outside too :)
When the grandsons come over they will want to know what is new in the snake box :)
Thank you all for your most appreciated comments…
-- Being focused on a project is the best meditation, it allows you to live in the moment"
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