Thread: Tiger Myrtle & Australian White Beech Box

Looking forward to seeing this one finished. Is that MDF you use for the base Alex?

Originally Posted by aldav

Looking forward to seeing this one finished. Is that MDF you use for the base Alex?

Wash your mouth out! The base is kauri, with padded suede leather on the inside. That is what you can see.

It did rather take me aback Alex. Humble apologies. I'll wash it out with a wine if that's ok with you?

I'd like to see the whole process if you are willing to post updates.

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Looks interesting. Keep us posted.

Where did you get the white beach? I ask because it's hard to come by. The last time I saw any was the gate
my father made to stop us tumbling from the verandah down the steps to the front yard. It sat there long after
we had grown up and left home.Never did find our where it eventually got to. There were a few smaller pieces
dad had stored away and, apart from a piece he grudgingly gave to me so I could make a lamp at school, these also
disappeared to the next dimension.

Originally Posted by aldav

It did rather take me aback Alex. Humble apologies. I'll wash it out with a wine if that's ok with you?

That would be most appropriate.

I'd like to see the whole process if you are willing to post updates.

Happy to do that.

Looking forward to see this one progress.... I like half blind dovetails and the choice of timbers.

After a coat of oil inside and out to prevent any squeeze-out sticking, I glued the carcass up using Techniglue epoxy, tinted to approximate the colour of the timber. I put plastic film over the suede on the bottom to keep it clean and prevent the glue getting on it. the film will stay there until the box is completed and oiled.
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Ideally, it's best to remove the squeeze-out after 4-5 hours, before the glue has completely hard, but as I had a prior commitment I had to leave it overnight. I removed the glue, then pared the ends of the dovetails with a chisel. It could be done with a low angle block plane, but a chisel does just as good a job.
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After the excess glue has been removed and the dovetail pins trimmed it's time to separate the lid from the base. I cut a slot almost through the sides, then cut all the way through with a Japanese saw.
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The next step will be to clean up and sand the cut edges.

Great idea with the plastic film inside the box Alex. How is the plastic held in, and do you just pull it out?

Regards
Keith

Originally Posted by pedro66

Great idea with the plastic film inside the box Alex. How is the plastic held in, and do you just pull it out?

Regards
Keith

Yes Keith, it's just wrapped around the bottom panel, and pulled out when the box is finished. As well as keeping the glue & finish off the leather, it also stops the glue sticking to the panel, which would prevent it expanding & contracting with humidity. It just pulls out when you're done.

Thanks for that Alex, I will give it a try.

Regards
Keith

Originally Posted by artme

Looks interesting. Keep us posted.

Where did you get the white beach? I ask because it's hard to come by. The last time I saw any was the gate
my father made to stop us tumbling from the verandah down the steps to the front yard. It sat there long after
we had grown up and left home.Never did find our where it eventually got to. There were a few smaller pieces
dad had stored away and, apart from a piece he grudgingly gave to me so I could make a lamp at school, these also
disappeared to the next dimension.

I got some small sections a few years back from Canalpie Timbers. It's the only time I've seen it available. I found that it can be a pita to glue, have to wipe it with acetone immediately before gluing.

After paring away the scrap from separating the lid & base I sanded both flat on 240 grid attached to 40mm laminate.
IMG_1202.jpg

The next step was to rout out the mortices for the lock and the hinges.
IMG_1204.jpg

After making the legs and supporting pieces, I made successive cuts on the sides of the box to house them. Next came a dry fit to see how everything looks. I also made a scutch plate for the lock.
IMG_1205.jpg

Great build with some exceptionally nice timber

a question if I may: Do you always use epoxy on your boxes and why?