Thread: Box making adventures, learning, experimenting and improving.

Hi Paul
Some great colour contrasts and designs there.

I like the way you use the splines to strengthen the mitre joins too

Next step ... hinges

Regards

Rob

Well done Paul, some really nice combinations of timber there. As tahlee said, next step in the process is to master butt and strap hinge fitting. Keep up your good experimental work, it is quite impressive with the variety of designs and timber. You must be learning lots

Nice work Paul. Don't be afraid to try new things, and remember, there are no mistakes, only unplanned design features.

Good on you Paul, those boxes are definitely gift material. I started making boxes about 3 years ago and coming from a joinery background i knew the basics but lacked the machinery to be able to be precise but in those 3 years i have earned enough money from markets a website and an on line shop to buy the machinery i need to carry on and build a future. There is a big world out there and you would be surprised at the size of the market if you want to pursue it.

They are very nice boxes Paul. I too just started on the boxmaking journey last year but fortunately mine was by desire and not enough spare time. It is a very exacting practice and because they are usually fairly small the eye is drawn to any slight imperfection so you can't afford to be lax with any operation.
How is the panel fitted in the lid of the first box?

PS. Hope your health is improving

Hi Paul , as Treecycle said. Just remember if you don't have a plan you cannot modify it. That's my excuse anyway.

Welcome to the addicts' forum. Seems like you're an addict too, now.

Good stuff, Paul!

As Alex says, it’s addictive. There’s always something to do just that bit better or a new design or a new finish or a new hinge or...........

Lots of good books out there on boxmaking. I’d highly recommend “Fine Decorative Boxes” by Andrew Crawford. Out of print but you can usually find a secondhand one on the Net.

For inspiration have a look at Andrew’s gallery at Home - Fine Decorative Boxes

Also ian Hawthorne at Bespoke Wooden Boxes and Neville O’Farrell at Lilly Grace Boxes | Luxury bespoke jewellery and gift boxes handcrafted in the West of Ireland

Work in Progress threads are especially welcome - with lots of “how I did it” photos

Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

Brian

Homey is exactly right. Those resources are excellent.

Another book that's just come in recently (and yet unread) is "52 Boxes in 52 Weeks: Improve Your Design Skills One Box at a Time" by Matt Kenney https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/1631868926 It goes through his box learning journey using a fairly aggressive production schedule.

Boxes are one of the very best ways to develop woodworking skills.... plus they are popular to sell