Thread: Blanket Boxes WIP

Looks good,
Good move to look after your MIL, justifies the shed toys.��
Again looks good, well done

Looks great mate. Love that your looking after the MIL, brownie points for sure!

As a fairly new woodworker who is developing a real appreciation for making modest useful furniture pieces, I find it really encouraging to know that the humble blanket chest remains a valued useful furniture piece in many modern houses.
They still seem relatively common and I think that's cool for some reason

Originally Posted by Fergiz01

Earlier this year I built a blanket box for my eldest son's room.

Here it is pictured below:

20220501_163259.jpg

Looks great . Whats the timber ? Some sort of hardwood decking board?

Edit double post

Thanks Rob, the timber is rough sawn jarrah 4 x 1's I bought at auction. The sale of 1 or 2 boxes will likely pay for the whole 2.5m3 of it. Cheers, Zac.

Not much to report from the weekend, except that the boards are a bit thinner and straight along one edge.

20221030_181603.jpg

Thanks, Zac.

After running the boards through the table saw to get the parallel edge, the glue up into panels begins.

I try (within reason) to colour match boards or at least get an even gradation of colour through a panel.

4 panels down, only 26 more to go!

20221106_161835.jpg20221106_161911.jpg

I also got some Huon Pine from the old man to line the floor of the box destined for our bedroom with to make it smell nice. Has anyone done something similar with Camphor?

Cheers, Zac

Progress has been slow over the Christmas period.

Below are some pics of the joinery on the sides.

20230106_172806.jpg20230126_124859.jpg20230126_152618 (1).jpg

Most panels have cupped or bowed in the heat while they were sitting in the shed over the Christmas period. Fortunately the joinery used in the construction of the boxes keeps everything in place. I just need to hold the panels flat while I mark out and cut the joins. My bench is well equipped for this type of work holding which always makes life easier.

Hope to have more updates shortly.

Thanks, Zac.

Originally Posted by Fergiz01

I also got some Huon Pine from the old man to line the floor of the box destined for our bedroom with to make it smell nice. Has anyone done something similar with Camphor?

Cheers, Zac

Just saw this post.
I used Camphor for the base of a blanket box that I made several years ago from recycled Red Gum fence posts.

Recent Project

Originally Posted by Chesand

Just saw this post.
I used Camphor for the base of a blanket box that I made several years ago from recycled Red Gum fence posts.

Recent Project

Hi Tom,

The pictures have disappeared during the forum update. Do you still have any of the finished box that you could upload here?

Thanks, Zac.

Originally Posted by Fergiz01

Hi Tom,

The pictures have disappeared during the forum update. Do you still have any of the finished box that you could upload here?

Thanks, Zac.

I don't think they are still in my laptop but I can take a couple and load them a bit later.

Found the originals so have scanned for you. Finished with U-Beaut Hard Shellac. Was made in 2009 and the finish does not show any marks at all.
Red Gum Blanket Box.jpg

Originally Posted by Chesand

I don't think they are still in my laptop but I can take a couple and load them a bit later.

Found the originals so have scanned for you. Finished with U-Beaut Hard Shellac. Was made in 2009 and the finish does not show any marks at all.
Red Gum Blanket Box.jpg

Beautiful!

A little bit more progress. Below is a dry fit of the joins. I have the lid and floor panels assembled (floor panels not pictured). Just a little bit more joinery and shaping, then onto sanding, finishing and fitting the hinges.

20230312_093527.jpg

I know I said I'd be making 5 boxes, but 2 is enough for now. I can use the rest of the boards for bedside tables for the boys room after I make the youngest boy his first full size bed.

Cheers, Zac.