Thread: Keepsake Box in Tassie Timbers

That is beautiful. I just love BHS.
I assume you resaw on the bandsaw to get your matching sides. What processes do you use to clean them up after sawing?

Hi Dallas,

The sides of the box are just made by cutting one board in sequence to get front, side #1, back and side #2. This just means that you need to recut the mitre at the edge you must cut next, so that the pieces match at the edge.
For the lid panel, I resawed a piece of 25mm deep BHS and then put the two halves through a thicknesser to smooth up the cut faces. To bring the pieces down to the desired thickness, I plane the outer faces down, leaving the cut faces (bookmatch) alone after the initial smoothing.

Regards,

Rob

Thanks for that info Rob. Box making is a discipline I want to get into as soon as I have the appropriate time, so that I can put the proper effort in and not try to rush things.

G'day Rob
I like the box and wish to try making one similar to it
Can you please tell me a little more about it ?

What bottom and is used and how is it fitted ?

What wall thickness for the sides ? and are the mitred corners just glued or if jointed what did you do ?


Thanks Garry

Hi Snapper,
Glad you like it.

The box sides are 14mm thick and are mitred together without any reinforcement. I have done a number of boxes like this and they all seem to survive without a spline in the joint, though by all means use one if you wish.

The base is 6mm thick MDF covered with self adhesive felt. I cut a slot about 5-6mm deep around the four sides at a depth of approx 10mm. This obviously now makes the sides as "top" and "bottom." Also at this stage, you can cut slots maybe 6mm down from the top of the sides. These will hgold the lid panel. Select the kind of wood you want to use and cut to size. (You may have to glue two pieces together.)

If I am going to use a tray in the box, then I also cut a slot a suitable depth from the top. A suitable depth is up to you, but make sure it is at a depth that allows enough space for a reasonable tray.

Cut the MDF to the size of the inside measurement plus 12mm to allow for the base to fit into the slots.

Now is the time to finish the inside faces of the boxYou can now either glue the box up or place the rails for the tray in the slots you made and then glue it up.

Now you have a closed box with lid and bottom in place.
Allow the box to dry then set your table saw to the depth of the sides, less 1-2mm.

Run the box slowly through the saw. You now have a box with a groove around the outside. Now you can use a Stanley Knife to cut through the remaining wood in the bottom of the new groove, the top will then come away from the box and you just need to finish, trim and hing the box.


Regards,

Rob

Thanks Rob
Next job , source some timber to suit and then go ahead
In the meantime I might try cutting the basic shapes on some cheap timber

Garry

G'day Rob
I would like you to clarify something that I do not follow in your reply
I am with you as to building the sides and bottom

But you mention "

"Now you have a closed box with lid and bottom in place.
Allow the box to dry then set your table saw to the depth of the sides, less 1-2mm.

Run the box slowly through the saw. You now have a box with a groove around the outside. Now you can use a Stanley Knife to cut through the remaining wood in the bottom of the new groove, the top will then come away from the box and you just need to finish, trim and hing the box. "

BUT In the photos it looks like the top is made separately from different timber pieces

It looks like the box was made as an open top box because I cannot see in photos where box was cut so that lid frame matches top of box ?

I think I understand the principle of making the box as a closed structure then cutting to seperate the upper section but imagine it would look different to photos by having outer frame of lid matching grain on lower section sides and ends



What am I missing ?

Garry

Hi Gary,

you didn't miss anything. My mistake! The lid is in fact made as you suggested. If you think of the lid as a picture picture frame you have it sussed. Cut four pieces of 14 or 16mm (to match the width of the sides) and mitre the corners you have the basic lid frame. You need to then route as slot on the inside of the four pieces to hold the lid panel. Then, as with the bottom, cut your contrasting lid panel to the size of the opening plus the depth of the slot. I suggest you finish the panel before you glue the lid together. I use picture frame clamps to hold the whole lot together while it dries. Be very careful cutting the mitres, a seven one millimetre can result in a poorly fitting lid. From here it's just case of selecting hinges and mounting them. I think that's all

Regards,

Rob