Eva's Keepsake Box

about 5 x 5 inches square

 In spite of Google's efforts to make this blog software totally user unfriendly I soldier onward.  The long running keepsake box is now finished.  I was going to line the inside but the oak bottom has such a cool grain I am leaving it visible.

   The back shows the very fussy hinges that I installed.  I needed a fancy style but they were a bit tricky to attach to the box.  I needed to drill very fine holes for the brass (ish) brads and ultimately  both the hinges and latch are attached as much by super glue as by the brads. Driving tiny, soft metal, brads into hard maple is not easy for big fingers.

 

  I am pleased with the final result and will work on the jig that cut the corners to make a box like this again.

  May favourite project in the shop this week was:

  These are two dividers for Clara's new desk drawers.  These are my favourite because, she measured, sawed, sanded, glued and nailed them all by herself.  All I did was provide the materials, tools and some supervision. I believe that being a 'maker' is something that is learned early and will then last a lifetime.  Clara is already a good baker and is becoming skilled  at crochet, she will soon be making heirloom items.

  Good for her.

   

 

Dragon and Padauk Box

 Aromatic cedar can give a silky, deep hued result when carved and polished. This wee dragon is a useless desk top dust collector that I worked on this week. I encourage anyone to work with rotary tools instead of knives and chisels since this wood splits along its grain easier than any wood with which I've worked.   After shaping I sanded to 800 grit, gave the carving three coats of shellac and a hand rubbed coat of bee's wax.  It feels like amber to the touch.  I'm thinking it is time to work with the little bit of cedar that I have left. I'm thinking I should make something that is meant to be handed and enjoyed, any ideas?

  I carried on with the keepsake box last week too. It is padauk, maple and white oak.  I had only a small piece of padauk and got just enough the sides for this box with a tiny bit left over.  I have found it difficult to work with, it has tended to splinter, (maybe it is very dry). However, the colour is wonderful and it is easy to sand, planing resulted in tear out.

  Since this is a fancy box for fancy stuff I tried a fancy corner.  I set up a jig on my table saw mitre gauge to hold the box while I cut the corners off at 46 degrees. It was a little nerve racking since I was afraid it might splinter as I was cutting it.

ready for final sanding and shellac 

  The lid is one piece maple, no mitred corners to make here. It was as quick to cut the opening with my coping saw as to drag out my scroll saw and set it up. As you can see below the cut out is to accommodate a stained glass insert, made by Eva.

  I have the wooden pieces made and am working on the finish.  I am planning to give the wood several coats of clear shellac.  Between each coat I will give the wood a light sanding with 1000 grit. I expect the finish to be glass smooth. (two coats done,  5 or 6 to go).

  After that hinges and a latch.  I will have to look around to get something small, delicate and worthy.

  

Keepsake Boxes Complete

keepsake boxes beside a wine bottle for scale. (10x10x16)

box open, showing top lining and a symbol for Peace.

  These two boxes were a commission that I just finished. A customer asked for two keepsake boxes for her twin granddaughters.  I made the boxes from 3/8 oak with an aromatic cedar floor and 3/4 one piece oak top.  After sanding everything to 400 grit I sprayed shellac, one coat, followed by vigorous sanding again to 400 grit, then three coats of wipe on varnish.

  The name, symbols and butterflies are burned onto thin panels then glued to the boxes.  I found that the oak was a bit tricky to wood burn neatly and so opted to burn panels which let me discard unsuitable results.  I was very lucky to have decided to do a couple of tests because that is when I learned how tricky the oak was to burn cleanly.

   I deliver the boxes on Monday and hope that the customer is happy.

Oak Panels, now a Box

   I could sub title this blog, you can never have too many clamps; I've said that before.
  Last week I glued up eight 3/8 oak panels to be used on these boxes.  In the process I discovered a couple of nice wide  pieces of oak to make the tops and the bottom of these boxes is aromatic cedar.  The plan is for these boxes to be keepsake chests and so I think the cedar will help preserve the box's contents.

 These boxes are make entirely with rabbets and held together with glue.

 I opted to use Titebond II Extend wood glue.  I wanted the extra time to get everything square and clamped before the glue set.

Now I have to leave it alone for at least the whole day, better, overnight.