My first box attempt

**maggs** · 27th August 2013, 05:27 PM

I just finished giving my new Incra LS fence it's trial run on some box joints. This is the first box I've attempted in over 20 years so I was a tad rusty in technique. Overall I'm very happy with the result for a first go. The next one I'll brave it and use some more exotic wood. This one is a Bunnings Tas Oak. The next one will be Blackwood or Qld Maple.

The only part I'm not happy about is the crappy butt hinges I used. I have some SmartHinges on order for the next one. No matter how careful I am in marking out the hinge rebates, I always seem to get them off by a small amount an hence have alignment issues on the lid. I managed an acceptable fit by sanding the lid and base flush.

The finish is Feast Watson finishing oil. The base and tray are lined with red velvet covered on removable 3mm ply inserts. The velvet is glued to the ply with hot melt glue and worked a treat.

I watched the Incra demo videos and copied their technique of cutting the joints and then reversing out of the cut. Next time I won't do that because the joints were a bit on the loose side and I'm sure 2 passes caused this. I used a Whiteside 10mm bit so they should be a better fit than they were.

Steve

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**AlexS** · 27th August 2013, 06:23 PM

Nice result. Definitely go with the Smart hinges - they pay for themselves in time & accuracy. It's just about impossible to get good butt hinges now - I've just had to square up some that are supposed to be good quality.

**maggs** · 27th August 2013, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by AlexS

Nice result. Definitely go with the Smart hinges - they pay for themselves in time & accuracy. It's just about impossible to get good butt hinges now - I've just had to square up some that are supposed to be good quality.

Thanks for the comment. You're right about the quality of hinges available. I searched all my local hardware stores and they were all just garbage. These were the best I could find and they were old stock. Even then they have about a 1mm play measured at the front of the lid. Can't wait for the SmartHinges to arrive.

Steve

**Old farmer** · 27th August 2013, 06:30 PM

Thanks for all the information and pics, Steve. I know nothing but it seems too me a lovely box.
May I ask from where do you buy the lining, please?

**maggs** · 27th August 2013, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Old farmer

Thanks for all the information and pics, Steve. I know nothing but it seems too me a lovely box.
May I ask from where do you buy the lining, please?

The velvet was purchased from Lincraft. I think they are located in most major centres or any craft/fabric shop will have it. It was about $7.00 for a metre. That will do 10 or more boxes I reckon.

I was going to use some padding or flocking in between the velvet and ply but after a test I didn't bother.

steve

**Hermit** · 27th August 2013, 07:09 PM

Nice job Steve. You're way in front of me for a first box.
I'll add another vote for the 'Smart' hinges.

**Old farmer** · 27th August 2013, 07:11 PM

Thanks very much, Steve, Bill.

**maggs** · 27th August 2013, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Hermit

Nice job Steve. You're way in front of me for a first box.
I'll add another vote for the 'Smart' hinges.

It almost feels like cheating using the Incra positioner to make joints. It's just so simple and accurate anybody can do a perfect job. For yaers I did the old tap tap and clamp the fence routine and while worked ok the positioner takes all the guesswork and measuring out of it. Even doing rebates and slots become so fast to do once you zero the cutter. Definitely my favourite tool right now.

Steve

**Dengue** · 27th August 2013, 11:59 PM

Well done, beautiful result. Surprising just how beautiful the Tassie Oak timber comes up

**maggs** · 28th August 2013, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Dengue

Well done, beautiful result. Surprising just how beautiful the Tassie Oak timber comes up

I was surprised myself how nice the Tassie Oak came up. I think the box joints exposing the end grain give it enough pop to make it interesting. This is the first time I've used this timber and it is quite nice to work with. It can be split easily along the grain so care is needed when chiselling out hinges etc. DAMHIK

Steve

**vtbao** · 28th August 2013, 12:19 PM

Great work for the first time

**Peter010956** · 21st October 2013, 08:11 PM

Nice work.

They come up great.

I too have bought some Tas Oak from Bunnies and have it sitting around for some time now.
I have just purchased a Gifkins Dovetail jig Kit and looking to build my first box soon.

I have always been a fan of Tas Oak, but I feel that by itself it needs a bit(more) of character in the timber.

I will consider using a different material in the lid, but I must say I am really not sure would go with it.

If anyone out there knows of a nice combination, would appreciate the info.

**maggs** · 21st October 2013, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Peter010956

Nice work.

They come up great.

I too have bought some Tas Oak from Bunnies and have it sitting around for some time now.
I have just purchased a Gifkins Dovetail jig Kit and looking to build my first box soon.

I have always been a fan of Tas Oak, but I feel that by itself it needs a bit(more) of character in the timber.

I will consider using a different material in the lid, but I must say I am really not sure would go with it.

If anyone out there knows of a nice combination, would appreciate the info.

Hi Peter,
I'm currently making another box from Qld Maple and planned on doing a different timber for the lid. I dressed up some Blackwood and sat it all together and looked at it for a while and decided I didn't like the match. I have a piece of Spanish Cedar that I think will suit better as the colour tones blend together better. It's hard to tell what goes well with what until you fit it together and even then it may look totally different when a finish is applied.

Steve

**Sawdust Maker** · 21st October 2013, 08:46 PM

Nice box

jarrah goes well with tassie oak

**Hermit** · 21st October 2013, 10:04 PM

I've used a combo of Tas Oak and Merbau on a few projects. Makes for great contrast, with the lighter Tas Oak against the chocolate & honey Merbau.

Sawdust Maker's suggestion of Jarrah sounds pretty good too. (Jarrah looks good anywhere.)

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