Something a bit different

Hi gang, I'm always looking for something a bit different when it comes to boxes. Around last Christmas I seen the plans for this on some site up in the USA and purchased them (hard copy posted, nice glossy plans). When they arrived I was pretty crook at that time and just poked them away. Recently I got them out and got stuck into making this box. If I was going to make one I may as well make two of course.

I followed the plans pretty much to the letter BUT did want to add one extra feature. As the plans did not allow for any splines in the mitre joints I decided to make a "key" or whatever you want to call it, to run up and down the full length of the mitre joint for extra strength. Obviously a normal spline would have messed up the effect of the box.

The making of these boxes was very fiddly and time consuming and of course used a lot of timber, but I am very happy with the final result. The timber I used is Flooded Gum, Queensland Beech and Rosewood. I would normally do a mitre joint on my Makita drop saw (Bunnings), but with the height being 110mm, that's out of reach, I think my drop saw pulls up at about 90mm. (Box is 250mm x 140mm x 110mm).

I did all the mitre cuts including the "key" all on my DeWalt table saw with the blade in the upright 90 degree position. By using a jig I made up a couple of years ago.

Not really sure what you would call this box, it's not really a jewellery box as it doesn't have any tray or ring holders, that would once again, take away the effect when the box is opened.

As I say I am always looking for something a bit different, currently also working on a couple of ring holder boxes with a "mosaic effect lid insert".

Paul

Nice work Paul. :2tsup: The visual effect is stunning, when you look from the centre of a panel to an edge you expect the edge to be saw toothed. :oo: From your description I assume they're all solid wood, not veneer? Certainly a lot of work, but well worth the effort. It made sense to make two at once. I would describe them as 'keepsake' boxes.

Excellent result, and you've made a good choice of timbers, they go well together and with the pattern.

What you have used are correctly called splines. The ones that can be seen from the outside, that are often called splines, are more correctly called slipfeathers.

They’re not boxes, Paul - they are works of art!

Absolutely lovely and a testimony to your thoroughness and patience. You should be very proud indeed of these. Fabulous!!

:brava: :hooray:


Brian

Wow Paul. The visual effect is stunning! Congratulations on an outstandingly executed box.

Without wanting to be nosey, do you have any work-in-progress photos you can share with us?

Kind regards,
Lance

Hi and thanks very much Gents, for all your kind remarks. Dave, yes its all solid timber, the plans said 1/2 inch for the sides, mine are very close to 12mm. The lid insert is spot on, the plans said 3/8 inch, mine is 10mm. I had to be very careful cutting the cavity/slot for the spline (thanks Alex for clarifying the name), as the spline cut went all the way from bottom to top, but I didnt want it seen from the top after I rebated for the lid insert. Hence the rebate at the top isn't half/half. More was taken out than what was left.

I would imagine a joint like this would be a bit easier on a much more shallow box, for clamping purposes etc. 110mm well, was a tad on the difficult side.

And sorry Lance, I didn't take any photos of it along the way. I should,..

Paul

A true masterpiece Paul. You really nailed the 3d effect with your choice of timbers.
Another inspiration.

Thanks Dallas, with the plans being American and the timbers they used on the plans, I was lucky I had something I could pretty well match it.

Paul

That’s awesome