Thread: Kumiko Panel Box

Very nice - not just the kumiko panel, but I like the radiating figure around it.

beautiful.

Very nice box! I've been wanting to give Kumiko a try myself as the results can look amazing.

Did you make the Kumiko angle cutting jigs for use with chisels or a block plane or did you go the power tool route to cut the required angles? I've seen guys on youtube use both methods but I've not tried doing it myself yet so not sure which method would be better. I'm kind of leaning towards the hand tool method though because it just seems like an enjoyable and relaxing process.

I made the jigs and used a chisel, talors. That was the only method I had seen at the time, but I think I will try the block plane next time. I will stick to using a blade rather than power tools - woodwork is for pleasure not profit for me and on this kind of thing I value the challenge of developing a handskill. By all means use a table saw if you want to make lots of these, but be prepared to give up the serenity that quietly paring away thin slices brings. You do need to work with wood which is not too soft or too brittle, as it's very easy to have chips break out the back of the cut even with a good sharp chisel. I found a broad blade and a slicing cut worked best for me.

Thanks for the info Rex. I didn't think about blow out when chiselling the angle on the end of each piece but now it seems kind of obvious . I think I'll go the hand-tool route as well - I just have to make myself the jigs required for each angle and then I'll give it a go.

Beautiful box. Many thanks for posting.

Very effective - looks fantastic! I have enough trouble cutting right-angles so I can't see myself doing this stuff anytime soon!

PS: Don't really want photos - just clicked the wrong spot!!