Frank Llyoyd Wright / Prairie Influenced Box

[Greg Peterson]

While thumbing through Wood magazine a while back, I came across an article on a Frank Llyod Wright/Prairie influenced design for a box. The design resonated for me. I felt the overall project was within my wheelhouse (I had the tools and the project did not have a lot of pieces....).

This is not an advanced build project, IMO. It relies on accurate milling first and foremost. Accurate cuts and square glue ups. I had contemplated stopped dadoes but decided to stick to the plans.

For the folks that are looking to build their fundamental skills, IMO this is an excellent project. Be warned, it can be fairly unforgiving.

[jim sauterer]

i built 2 you are right you needed to pay attention on glue up.had 2 satisfied friends.

[Greg Peterson]

I figured, 'hey, it's a small box. How hard can it be?'. LOL. I failed to account for the required precision such a piece demands.

[Michael Mayo]

I just did the last glue up of the very same box today. Man did I have a ton of scrap wood after I was finished.......:eek: This was my first attempt at something as precise and complicated as this box. I can't wait to finish it and see what it looks like. I just fell in love with the box when I saw it in Wood Magazine.

[Greg Peterson]

I just did the last glue up of the very same box today. Man did I have a ton of scrap wood after I was finished.......:eek: This was my first attempt at something as precise and complicated as this box. I can't wait to finish it and see what it looks like. I just fell in love with the box when I saw it in Wood Magazine.

I agree and concur that there was some waste that could have been avoided.

[Shawn Pixley]

It is a cute little box. Definately a good project for skill building. Nice work!

[jared herbert]

Hello This is a very nice box. I dont subscribe to Wood but am headed to the library in a couple of days and they have it there. Could you please tell me what issue it is in, Thanks Jared

[Michael Mayo]

It is a cute little box. Definitely a good project for skill building. Nice work!

That is one of the reasons why I chose to make the box because I really need to build skills. I also had all of the wood already so I didn't have to buy anything which is a huge plus.

[Michael Mayo]

I agree and concur that there was some waste that could have been avoided.

The waste wasn't the designs fault by any means it was all me trying to be perfectly precise and accurate. Thankfully all of the stock I had was obtained free so I wasn't as upset about all of the waste I generated and it was a good exercise for when I do have to buy the stock for a project I learned a ton making this box and for that I am very thankful.

[Michael Mayo]

Here are a few pics of my completed box after coating it with BLO. I am going to give it several coats of Zinsser spray shellac and bag it after each coat per another Creekers advice and will see how that comes out. This being my first real wood project since high school shop I really had no clue how I should finish it so I asked on the Finishing forum and received many very good tips and advice. I made a few minor changes to the plans for the box published in Wood magazine. Mainly the lid handle I made out of Walnut as I wanted a little more contrast on the maple lid. I also decided to enclose the bottom of the lid to hide some my less than perfect miter joints and I personally think it looks better and more finished with the lid bottom closed up.

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