Box construction without dovetails or finger joints?

[Jason Buresh]

This may seem like a trivial question, but for my next project I would like to build a replica of a 19th century writing slope. I have seen modern builds, such as this one from fine woodworking, with mitred corners.
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But all, or at least most, of the historical examples I have seen, do not have miters. I am aware that some may be dovetailed with a veneer overlay, but do they veneer the edges as well? Some appear to be a rabbet joint with brass corners for reinforcement.
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For more experienced people out there, how would you approach this?

[Thomas Crawford]

campaign furniture I believe is normally full blind dovetails, and you can cut full blind with mitered corners as well.

[Rafael Herrera]

Whatever you chose, keep in mind that showing endgrain was avoided.

[Derek Cohen]

I made one of these using half blind dovetails and breadboard joints ..

https://i.postimg.cc/vBJTDydZ/A17.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/rs6gGt95/A1.jpg

The fun part was adding three secret compartments …

https://i.postimg.cc/bJ7c1NJ4/A6.jpg

Not fully traditional, but adding a modern twist is acceptable. :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Richard Coers]

To do an accurate replica, you need to choose both a level of craftsmanship and of what region it was made. For every few cabinetmakers in a big city doing fine work for wealthy people, there was a small town carpenter making furniture for common folk. The city craftsman were working with imported lumber and the country craftsman was working in local woods and even then choosing the most common wood for secondary. And then your question about joinery. Of course the high end work had to pull out all the stops, the country work would likely be nailed together. Both made useable ware.

[Jason Buresh]

I made one of these using half blind dovetails and breadboard joints ..

https://i.postimg.cc/vBJTDydZ/A17.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/rs6gGt95/A1.jpg

The fun part was adding three secret compartments …

https://i.postimg.cc/bJ7c1NJ4/A6.jpg

Not fully traditional, but adding a modern twist is acceptable. :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

Beautiful work as always Derek. Do you have any pictures of the secret compartments? Or is that classified information 😎

[Jason Buresh]

To do an accurate replica, you need to choose both a level of craftsmanship and of what region it was made. For every few cabinetmakers in a big city doing fine work for wealthy people, there was a small town carpenter making furniture for common folk. The city craftsman were working with imported lumber and the country craftsman was working in local woods and even then choosing the most common wood for secondary. And then your question about joinery. Of course the high end work had to pull out all the stops, the country work would likely be nailed together. Both made useable ware.

You make a good point. I tend to forget that not everything was gilded back then, and there was a lot of country furniture

[steven c newman]

Wasn't there a store...way back when...that sold everything a young British Officer/Gentleman could use, while on "Campaign". I think that is what Herr Schwarz was writing about.
The Army/Navy Store. They even had a branch over in India. The cabinetry made made to both be rugged and fold down for carrying around in a wagon, on the back of a mule or camel...and be shipped to the buyers by ships.


Imagine the fun IF Cabelos sold furniture for that hunting trip....made of wood.

[Tony Wilkins]

Wasn't there a store...way back when...that sold everything a young British Officer/Gentleman could use, while on "Campaign". I think that is what Herr Schwarz was writing about.
The Army/Navy Store. They even had a branch over in India. The cabinetry made made to both be rugged and fold down for carrying around in a wagon, on the back of a mule or camel...and be shipped to the buyers by ships.


Imagine the fun IF Cabelos sold furniture for that hunting trip....made of wood.

Yes there was. It had quite an extensive catalog, from tables to canons. There wasn’t as organized a supply chain in the British army at the time and officers were often tasked with outfitting their men and themselves. That’s why there was such a variety of uniforms.

Also, according to CS, the furniture often fell apart in India and other wet areas as the hide glue ‘let go’ in the local climate.

[Derek Cohen]

Beautiful work as always Derek. Do you have any pictures of the secret compartments? Or is that classified information 

Hi Jason

All the details are here: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/Furniture/Lapdesk.html

Regards from Perth

Derek

[steven c newman]

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Box build from a while back...opened for dry fit..
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Was such a small box, I didn't bother to miter the ends...
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Was too small for any of the "normal" brass fittings..
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As this is what the box started out with...sorry, didn't have any jarrah on hand...
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Grandaughter in law now uses this as a Jewelry Box...BTW..
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Fancy-schmanzy dovetail saw..
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Did you know that Red Devil made "Kerf Chisels".....a No. 4101....
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Used a Stanley No. 45 to plough these grooves....then switched to a bead cutter for around the lid open....YMMV...

I suppose one could miter the edges...to hide the end grain from showing....note that the dovetails also do not show...as those pins will show end grain as well.

If and when my lumber supply improves a bit...I might just try a writing desk....would need to find the brass fittings...or..make them..

[Rob Luter]

I made one of these using half blind dovetails and breadboard joints ..

https://i.postimg.cc/vBJTDydZ/A17.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/rs6gGt95/A1.jpg

The fun part was adding three secret compartments …

https://i.postimg.cc/bJ7c1NJ4/A6.jpg

Not fully traditional, but adding a modern twist is acceptable. :)

Regards from Perth

Derek

I like the look of these small pins. I need to give that a try.

[Keith Pitman]

Here are a few pictures of a box I inherited. I don’t know the age, but it has documents in it from the 1850s to 1920s. It has lock miter joints in the corners and the outside is completely veneered over.

[Eric Rathhaus]

Someone enjoys a Montblanc fountain pen. :D

[Derek Cohen]

Eric, I use fountain pens all day, taking notes the old fashioned way. My mostly vintage pens provide a ray of fun and pleasure in the drudgery of endless writing. I have over a dozen vintage Montblancs, Pelikans, and Parkers dating back as far as the 1940s. They are all in constant rotation.

I strongly resist the move among my professional colleagues to use an electronic pen on an iPad, even though I love the idea of immediate conversion of written into typed notes.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[mike stenson]

Ahhh I am pleased that it is not just myself. Although, I tend to favor the pencil for most note taking (although, I also sketch and doodle to keep myself paying attention). Well made implements are simply a joy to use.

[Jason Buresh]

Thank you for the pictures! I have a machinist chest from the early 1900's that uses that joint as well for the drawers. Maybe that will be the route I go.

[Jason Buresh]

Derek,

Although I have smart phone and work on a computer all day, I keep a small pocket notebook and a fountain pen as part of my daily carry. I write measurements, grocery notes, phone numbers etc. Not only is it faster than having to unlock a phone and load an app, I don't have to worry about a battery dying in the middle of the grocery store and come home to an angry wife because I forgot things on the list. Ask me how I know that.

Electronics are great for storing large amounts of information in a compact space, but for everyday notes and doodles, a pen and paper is hard to beat