Build a Figured Wood Box
George Vondriska
Class Preview
2:02
- In-depth Instruction; over 91 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Session 1: Introduction
4:06
The class takes you step by step through the processes required to make the box. Wondering about the design? You’ll learn how the Golden Rectangle helped with that. Grab the plan and let’s get rolling.
Session 2: Resawing
7:27
Instead of planing away a lot of wood and sending it up the dust chute you can resaw your material from 6/4 stock. A single point fence simplifies this process allowing you to resaw without drift compensation.
Session 3: Dovetail Jig Tips
14:50
Dovetail jigs make creating dovetails straightforward and relatively simple. But there are plenty of tricks and tips that’ll make router cut dovetails easier to do with better results. You’ll learn those tricks here.
Session 4: Dovetail the Corners
3:31
Use the tips you just learned and cut dovetails in the corners of your box. Through dovetails are very strong and look great, especially with contrasting materials.
Session 5: Cut The Groove for the Bottom
3:19
A router table is perfect for cutting the grooves you need for the box bottom. One set of those grooves is stopped, so you’ll learn how to create use stops on your router table fence and make plunge cuts.
Session 6: Drill for the Hinges
3:18
The easiest way to drill for barrel hinges is on a drill press, helped by a few tricks that’ll make this process simpler. Barrel hinges are a great choice for this project because they’re invisible when the box is closed, allowing the figured wood to steal the show.
Session 7: Assemble the Box
7:05
Taking an extra step with the box bottom makes assembly a lot easier. And, with careful application of the glue you can reduce squeeze out inside the box.
Session 8: Sand the Box
5:53
Sanding the outside of the box isn’t complicated but you’ve got to pay attention to details as you sand. We want the box sides to remain flat, the corners square and top and bottom edges even. A handful of sanding secrets will make this easier.
Session 9: Make the Feet
18:10
Making the feet is an interesting process. The curve detail is created on a router table, and the two pieces that make up the feet are mitered, and a corner brace is added. The parts are small so steps are taken to keep this process safe and easy to execute.
Session 10: Detail and Install the Feet
9:25
The feet are small, so this is a great time to take the work to the tool — instead of the tool to the work — and get them sanded before they’re installed. The use of spacers makes uniform installation easy.
Session 11: Locate and Drill the Holes in the Top
4:43
The location of the hinge holes in the box needs to be transferred to the bottom of the lid. This could be a finicky step, but we’ve got a great trick that makes this step easy to execute.
Session 12: Finish to Pop the Grain
4:20
Using a finish that has an amber tone will help pop that figured wood we’re using. Brush it on, wipe off the excess and make certain you properly deal with any rags you used.
Session 13: Final Assembly
4:04
Barrel hinges have some fussy requirements for proper installation. It’s all about attention to detail, and we’ve got those details covered.
Figured wood is beautiful but can be very expensive. You may have special pieces in your shop you’ve been holding on to for “just the right project.” Here’s that project. This small box uses very little material but has a lot of woodworking and a lot of character in it.
You’ll learn how to use a single point contact resaw fence so you can resaw instead of planing to get your material to thickness. The corners of the box are joined with through dovetails which really highlight contrasting woods. And we provide you with an entire chapter on tips for using your dovetail jig. The feet have a lot of details including miters and a decorative curve. The curve is cut on a router table! Barrel hinges are a nice touch because they’re invisible when the box is closed, so don’t distract from the design.
A dimensioned drawing and PDF of tips will help you work through the project and avoid mistakes.
George Vondriska
Formally trained in technology education, George Vondriska has been teaching woodworking since 1986. He has been the managing editor of Woodworkers Guild of America since 2007. In addition to classes at his own Vondriska Woodworks School, George teaches at woodworking shows across the country and has taught woodworking for the Peace Corps, Andersen Window, Northwest Airlines and the Pentagon.
Bonus materials available after purchase