Thread: Box Making Newbie

Hi
Don't know if my answer would constitute the blind leading the blind but I have just set up my workshop over the last six months.
I got a reasonable table saw
a band saw, and a miniature one
A belt and disc linisher
Loads of various clamps and there never seems to be enough
Chisels
A grinder for keeping the chisels sharp
a drill press (although you don't strictly need this)
I do have a router but after it took a sizeable fleshy chuck out of my finger I've become frightened of it. It has to be said the router wasn't at fault, I wos the idiot. Still the fear remains and I am going to have a pal give me some lessons from which I hope to take the ability to do dovetails away.

You don't say how experienced you are in woodwork.
I was a complete novice and am now hooked lined and sinkered.

glue is very useful.
and lots of sandpaper
set squares.. I have four and need more
steel rulers of various lengths

I have this little tool which came out of a packet of kids lino cutting tools which is indespensible for glue clean up

I am sure others will have a system that differs from mine and works equally well. Some of the maestro's on this site use lots of hand tools. Wish I had their talent.

Best of luck
Let us see your results. Every box is individual and teachs you something.

Maxine

Brenno
If you are really interested in doing router cut dovetails, take the time to have a look at www.gifkins.com.au
You will see there is a link to his video on using the gifkins jig. I bought one at Bris woodshow a couple of months ago and have been amazed at how easy it is to use. I already had a bench type jig but found it a real pain to set up each time but the gifkins jig worked perfectly 1st time out of the box. Am currently working on making a new box for jig to be housed in for protection against me knocking it off the bench. I think there is about 7 different types of templates that you can get but you can start off successfully with just a basic one template and jig till you get more into it.
As far as a router table or hand held router I think you will find a table is much easier or stable to use. If you have a dig around this site you will find advice on how to build a table for under $100 or alot less. I think there is a plan on gifkins site for a very basic one that could probably be made out of scrap board for maybe less than $50. I know others like the hand cut look and wish I could do that myself but these things take time to learn and we all know there is never enough time in the shed when you want it. Richard Vaughan also has a very good router table design that you will find variations of on this site. Wish you well in you new adventures - just don't give up without trying
regards
David

Gidday Brenno, as David H indicated have a look at Gifkins gear, it's fantastic. I've made quite a few of his box designs and they all worked well the first time (except for my silly mistakes!) I'm using a Triton Rouer bench but there would be better options, however I've still managed great joints.
John.

You are off to a good start buying Doug Stowes' book , it's a great insight to box making.

I have to agree with the others about the Gifkin's jig. It's the best investment in boxmaking that I have made. The documentation makes its easy and once you get started on Roger's designs it's not hard to modify a few things and come up with your own ideas.

Anyhow, good luck!

Itchy