Thread: Working with huon pine for boxes

Clean work surfaces and hands, works well, sharp tooling. The smell is pleasant to most.

Don't know about doing dovetails with the jig, but by hand they a require sharp tools and patience. It is a soft wood, so crushing is a danger. Take your time and slow deliberate movements are best.

Hey mate,

Whenever I'm concerned with tearout on the gifkins jig I usually put a sacrificial piece infront of the workpiece. Also having a fresh MDF backing board will help too.

Can't speak for the Gifkins,but I made this finger jointed box with a Leigh Jig. No tear out and nice tight joints This is a pic of a box done this way. Unfortunately I don't have a front on view and the box is now in Belfast, Ireland

Regards,

Rob

thanks for that tip, Andy, I have never heard of that one before for that jig - will give it a go

Rob, that is exactly what I intend making. Pity you don't have any other pics, but I am pleased to see how it should turn out

Pat and Groenaj are right on the money. I'm presently doing a big job with huon, lots of dovetails, and I'm sharpening chisels all the time. Also, make sure your router cutters are sharp and clean. You can clean resin from them using Mr. Muscle oven cleaner.
The scent of huon is quite pleasant, but you may find that it attracts Qld. fruit fly to your workshop. Dunno why, but they love it.

Originally Posted by AlexS

Pat and Groenaj are right on the money. I'm presently doing a big job with huon, lots of dovetails, and I'm sharpening chisels all the time. Also, make sure your router cutters are sharp and clean. You can clean resin from them using Mr. Muscle oven cleaner.
The scent of huon is quite pleasant, but you may find that it attracts Qld. fruit fly to your workshop. Dunno why, but they love it.

They probably think they have died and gone to the Apple Isle.

Thanks Alex, I am a lot more confident in proceeding now