Making a wooden box

Russinating

Russinating

Russinating

Soldato
Joined
27 Dec 2005
Posts
17,316
Location
Bristol
I've been in the market for a specific wooden box for a while. Random I know, but I've basically got a collection of A5 and A4 photos and an item that are all part of a collection that I want to keep safe.

I've not been able to find a suitable box - not crap, decent material, right size etc - so it struck me that I could give making one a go, which would add nicely to the whole collection as an object too.

Has anyone done similar that I could see for inspiration? And what method did you use (ie dovetail)? Also what wood should I use and where can I buy that from? Any other tips useful!
 
I'm pretty inexperienced with this sort of thing too, but i'd say:
-might be easier to use finger joints rather than dovetails? Similar sort of thing but with straight cuts rather than the angles on dovetails. Not as strong but wont cause any problems for your use.
-Get the proper tools for the job. You'll need at least a dovetail saw and a sharp chisel. Wouldnt need to spend more than £20.
 
I'd have imagined there will be a local shop that would knock up a small box, for a cost.

It may be a long shot but what about a place that does frames? They can usually make something large enough to frame boxing gloves so a few photos and an item should be easy enough. You don't have it on display but it could be an option if you are lolDIY
 
touch said:
I'm pretty inexperienced with this sort of thing too, but i'd say:
-might be easier to use finger joints rather than dovetails? Similar sort of thing but with straight cuts rather than the angles on dovetails. Not as strong but wont cause any problems for your use.
-Get the proper tools for the job. You'll need at least a dovetail saw and a sharp chisel. Wouldnt need to spend more than £20.
Click to expand...

Depending on the thickness of the finger joints a good razor saw may be worthwhile.

Also if it's only a small box offcuts of nice wood can be had fairly cheaply, especially if you can find a wood merchant that also does onsite fabrication of things like plaques/bowls.
My dad used to get some lovely offcuts cheap from a place in Devon that because they were a wood importer (mahogany, oak, and some really odd exotic stuff), but also made things on site and did training courses, so they always had a couple of large boxes of assorted odd sized bits of quality wood (bits that might have had a small imperfection making it unsuitable for turning or similar).
We've still got a load of them in the garage, one day I'll use some of them to make plinths for some of my models.

[edit]
I think it was Yandles in Somerset my dad used to use, but unless you're down that way it's probably not much help :) (I notice they've got a website now, but it's been about 20 years since I last went there in person).
 
Werewolf said:
Depending on the thickness of the finger joints a good razor saw may be worthwhile.

Also if it's only a small box offcuts of nice wood can be had fairly cheaply, especially if you can find a wood merchant that also does onsite fabrication of things like plaques/bowls.
My dad used to get some lovely offcuts cheap from a place in Devon that because they were a wood importer (mahogany, oak, and some really odd exotic stuff), but also made things on site and did training courses, so they always had a couple of large boxes of assorted odd sized bits of quality wood (bits that might have had a small imperfection making it unsuitable for turning or similar).
We've still got a load of them in the garage, one day I'll use some of them to make plinths for some of my models.

[edit]
I think it was Yandles in Somerset my dad used to use, but unless you're down that way it's probably not much help :) (I notice they've got a website now, but it's been about 20 years since I last went there in person).
Click to expand...

I'm not a million miles away from them, thanks.
 
You can get small quantities of timber from ebay. Something like Ash or Oak would be a good bet, unless you want something fancier.

I'd probably go for splined mitres over dovetails or finger joints.
 
Last edited:
whats wrong with dovetails - they aren't hard to do - just practice for a while on a bit of scrap wood till you get the gist - watch a few vidoes and boom you too could have a milk bottle holder to hold your photos...
 
scotty365 said:
whats wrong with dovetails - they aren't hard to do - just practice for a while on a bit of scrap wood till you get the gist - watch a few vidoes and boom you too could have a milk bottle holder to hold your photos...
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with dovetails, but to me they look a bit ugly on a box, same with finger joints. They're not easy to do though, especially if you want them to look good enough to be on show. You'd need VERY sharp tools and a lot of practise.
 
Sod this buy one on ebay.

What you want to do will end up costing you a fortune in tools, wood and time.

Uther said:
Great thread!
Click to expand...

touch said:
I made a bird table for mum at christmas:
YZ487u7.jpg

XwZBNEE.jpg
Click to expand...


Ask this guy ?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom