A wedding present for a friend

[D.McDonnel "Mac"]

A daughter of a friend of mine asked me to make a box for her wedding gift to her husband. I had made a similar box for her dad last year. This time I decided to put a small plinth around the bottom to form the feet and hide the endgrain of the bottom piece (The bottom and top are glued directly onto the sides. The top's endgrain is hidden by rounding the four edges of the top). This is a variation of a box I made in a Frank Klausz Hand Dovetailing class a few years ago at American Sycamore Woodworkers Retreat. The box is about 7" x 10" x 4".

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c166/indymac24/Lindsay%20Suddeth%20Box/Frontview.jpg

The Tray is a nice little addition to the box as well.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c166/indymac24/Lindsay%20Suddeth%20Box/OpenBoxTrayout.jpg

Here is a shot of the dovetail corner and foot. Yes it's hand cut, Frank would frown if I cut them with a jig!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c166/indymac24/Lindsay%20Suddeth%20Box/DovetailCorner.jpg

I used Brusso 95 degree hinges that stop the lid without a chain stop.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c166/indymac24/Lindsay%20Suddeth%20Box/BrussoHinges.jpg

Finally I morticed in a half mortice lock.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c166/indymac24/Lindsay%20Suddeth%20Box/Keyinhole.jpg

I think she wants me to mount a brass plate with their wedding date on the inside of the lid.

Thanks for looking.

Mac

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Mac..............Absolutely stunning craftsmanship, wood, finish, execution....Absolutely stunning!

[Gary Keedwell]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v196/evsac/Video/ThumbsUp.gif Now that looks great. Making a nice box like that is on my long list of fun projects I want to do in the not too distant future.
Gary K.:)

[Jim Becker]

Oh, that's truly a beautiful piece, Mac. Such elegance in simplicity. Nice choices on the hinges and lock, too. Outstanding!

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Very impressive Mac. I'm sure she will be thrilled! Thanks for sharing.

[Martin Shupe]

Very beautiful, in form and execution. As always, I have a couple questions...

1) I like the Brusso hinges, and know where to get them, but I really like the lockplate and half mortice lock. Where did you get those?

2) Since you glued the top and bottom cross grain to the sides, aren't you worried about wood movement splitting the top and bottom? Or is the top so small that wood movement isn't that great?

Thanks!

[Jules Dominguez]

Beautiful design and workmanship. It should become an heirloom.

[Ron Brese]

Very fine work!

Ron Brese

[Clint Winterhalter]

Mac,
GREAT JOB!
It came out beautifully!

Clint

[Roy Wall]

Mac -

As always......beautifully done! Very Impressive detail work.

[D.McDonnel "Mac"]

1) .........I really like the lockplate and half mortice lock. Where did you get those?

2) Since you glued the top and bottom cross grain to the sides, aren't you worried about wood movement splitting the top and bottom? Or is the top so small that wood movement isn't that great?


Martin,

The half mortice lock and lockplate come as a set. I bought them and the hinges at my local Rockler. Both are very good quality but the quality does come at a price, about $25 for the set.

Wood movement. I suppose at 7" wide it could be a concern but I just followed Frank's lead on this one. He has been making boxes like this for years and if wood movement was a problem I don't think he would have had us make it that way. I've had my original box I made in class for 4-5 years now with no problem.

[John Schreiber]

That's a stunning little box. Beautiful craftsmanship. I love the pillow top that hides the end grain that way.

[Martin Shupe]

Martin,

The half mortice lock and lockplate come as a set. I bought them and the hinges at my local Rockler. Both are very good quality but the quality does come at a price, about $25 for the set.

Wood movement. I suppose at 7" wide it could be a concern but I just followed Frank's lead on this one. He has been making boxes like this for years and if wood movement was a problem I don't think he would have had us make it that way. I've had my original box I made in class for 4-5 years now with no problem.

Thanks Mac! It sounds like the wood movement is not an issue in this case. I'll have to check out my local Rockler (again).

[Dave Ray]

You created a beautiful box Mac. Can you imagine that box will be passed on to the young ladies grand children? A thing of beauty, built with and by a true craftsmen, filled with memories. Treasured by all.

[Robert Miller]

Awesome work, perfect dovetails, beautiful finish. classic proportions.

Other than that, it turned out ok.....http://www.sawmillcreek.org/images/icons/icon10.gif

[D.McDonnel "Mac"]

Thanks for the kind comments. A lot of work went into getting the details just right. But then I can get a little anal about the details of a project. I'm sure she'll like it and I can only hope it means a little more because she has known me her whole life. I know I was honored to be asked to make something for her to give to her husband on their wedding day!

Mac

[Ben Grunow]

Very nice. What patience you must have.