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Lance Norris
04-10-2008, 5:42 PM
I posted a thread last night with some pictures of bandsawn boxes that I made.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=81661

Several of you have asked to see details of how these were made, so here goes. First start off with a large chunk of wood. If you like, you can laminate several pieces for contrast, or cut swooping kerfs and glue in contrasting veneers. When you have your blank ready and squared, cut the sides off like I show in the next few photos. I like to cut about 3/4"



http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop133.jpg

Mark your sides for later so you dont mix them up, and lay them off to the side. Then draw the inside cut lines on the end of your blank like this, remember you can cut any inside shape you like.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop134.jpg

Cut the lid first and when you get to a sharp curve, nibble the waste so you can make a 90 degree turn.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop137.jpg



Then cut the core out and when you are done, this is what you have left.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop140.jpg



Now mark the lid for a hole to be drilled for the brass pin you are going to cut. I use a 1/4" brass pin and drill the hole 1/64" oversize. I usually mark 3/8" in from the back edge and 3/8" down from the top.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop143.jpg

Drill your hole and then use a 1/4" dowel center to transfer your hole position to each matching side. Press the dowel center into each side and drill the hole into the piece that matches. Left side of the lid into left side piece, right side of lid into right side piece.




http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop145.jpg

Now measure the depth of the hole in the lid and the hole in each matching side piece and add them together and cut your brass pin just a little undersize in length. Measure each side piece because they may not be the same depth, when you ripped them at the bandsaw, they might not be the same thickness. Now this next step is IMPORTANT. Round off the back edge of the lid on the belt sander. If you dont do this, when the box is assembled, you wont be able to open the lid.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop146.jpg

I like to round off the matching edge on the box body as well. Then I take the lid, and with a miter gauge to keep it square to the belt, lightly touch it to the belt. This reduces the width of the lid, ever so slightly, so it isnt tight between the box sides when the box is assembled.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop148.jpg

Get everything ready for glue-up, insert your brass pins into the holes, and glue 'er up.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop149.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb97/weblance/woodshop150.jpg

After the glue is dry, simple shaping on the belt sander, maybe a little fitting of the lid(if tight) and finishing.

Mike McCann
04-10-2008, 6:10 PM
wow you made that look so easy.

thanks

John Devost
04-10-2008, 6:16 PM
Very nice, thanks for posting that, very informative! :)

Peter Quadarella
04-10-2008, 7:10 PM
Wow I can't wait to (try to) make one of those, thanks!

Andrew Pezzo
04-10-2008, 8:48 PM
THANK YOU!

I recently got a craftsman pro 14" bandsaw and was wondering how to make bandsaw boxes. Invaluable info, greatly appreciated!

Bob Noles
04-10-2008, 8:51 PM
Great photo shoot Lance and the turtorial is very much appreciated. I see you are using the Carter Stabilizer. I just got mine mounted the other night. Looks like it works well for the intended purpose.


Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

Lance Norris
04-10-2008, 9:07 PM
THANK YOU!

I recently got a craftsman pro 14" bandsaw and was wondering how to make bandsaw boxes. Invaluable info, greatly appreciated!

Andrew...These are very simple boxes. They are starters. After you make some of these, use your imagination and branch out to other designs. The bandsaw allows so many variations, its simply amazing what you can do with it.

Lance Norris
04-10-2008, 9:08 PM
Great photo shoot Lance and the turtorial is very much appreciated. I see you are using the Carter Stabilizer. I just got mine mounted the other night. Looks like it works well for the intended purpose.


Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.

Bob... the Bandsaw Stabilizer works very well indeed. I wouldnt want to try using a small blade without one.

Jim Dunn
04-10-2008, 10:12 PM
Lance thank you for the picture tutorial. Very informative! Now I have more of a reason to go to the shop:)

gary Zimmel
04-11-2008, 12:15 AM
Lance

One more thank you for the great post...

John Revilla
04-11-2008, 12:49 AM
Hello Sir,
I was one of the chorus asking for a tutorial. Thank you very much for sharing this technique. Have a good night, Sir. Godspeed.

Ray Phillips
04-11-2008, 8:47 AM
Lance, thank you very much for posting your tutorial it was a learning experience. Another good reason to contribute to the Creek. I have just one other question. What size saw blade did you use?

Lance Norris
04-11-2008, 12:19 PM
Lance, thank you very much for posting your tutorial it was a learning experience. Another good reason to contribute to the Creek. I have just one other question. What size saw blade did you use?

Ray... to cut the sides off, I use a 3/4" 3tooth blade. To cut out the core, I use an 1/8" 14tooth.

Lori Kleinberg
04-11-2008, 2:51 PM
Lance, very nice of you to share your box making procedure.

Grady Cowardin
04-21-2008, 11:47 AM
I need a bandsaw! :D

Bill Bolen
04-25-2008, 12:25 PM
Thanks Lance! I spend most of my time down below in the turning section but I have wanted to do one of these for years. I think you got me off my rump!...Bill...

Stan Tilley
04-25-2008, 1:00 PM
:D I never even knew I wanted to make a bandsaw box. But now I think I'll have a go at it. Thanks.

Lance Norris
04-25-2008, 10:49 PM
Thanks Lance! I spend most of my time down below in the turning section but I have wanted to do one of these for years. I think you got me off my rump!...Bill...


:D I never even knew I wanted to make a bandsaw box. But now I think I'll have a go at it. Thanks.

William, Stan... These are a lot of fun. They are a very simple box, but functional. I really enjoy making bandsawn boxes and have made hundreds. Post pics when you guys are finished.

Jim Becker
04-26-2008, 9:00 AM
Thanks for this thread, Lance.

Norman Gallaher
08-02-2008, 5:34 PM
really nice, simple straight forward construction

Jeff Mohr
01-07-2009, 11:57 AM
I know this is an older thread but I just got my bandsaw a month ago and am giving it a go. Great thread!!!

Can anyone point me to a place to get brass pins?

Lance Norris
01-07-2009, 9:00 PM
Jeff... I just buy brass rod stock from the Borgs. It comes in 3' sections. Cut to length with a hacksaw, and file where you cut it, to smooth out the rough edges.

Show your boxes when you get them done.:)

Robby Tacheny
01-08-2009, 7:46 AM
I made a couple boxes from a very similar design that I found in a book I purchased. It uses a block of some wood and then contrasting pieces for the sides. I am not trying to steal the thread. Just offering a slightly different design of the same style box. It has a divider in the bottom that you leave in the "big chunk" of wood. This one is padauk and curly cherry.

I like to cut the block in half and then saw the top and bottom separately following the pattern which I put on with spray glue.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=104458&d=1230058450 http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=104460&d=1230058796

Not trying to steal the thread. I was just talking with a friend and he was telling me that those Carter Stabilizers are the way to go. I might have to get one for my GO555x.

Great post and thanks for sharing. I think there are too few bandsaw box articles on this forum and this helps to fix that problem.

-R

Mike Gager
01-08-2009, 8:12 AM
hey lance i have a ridgid BS as well, i was wondering what you used for the riser? does ridgid sell one or did you use a different brand?

John Thompson
01-08-2009, 10:07 AM
I realize this is an old thread, but thanks for the quick tutorial. I am making a couple of small boxes inspired by my neighbor Ed Sallee up the street and it's a lot of fun after doing large carcass work. I would like to try some band-saw boxes for Xmas gifts next Xmas and this is a good reminder.

Sarge..

Lance Norris
01-08-2009, 10:17 AM
hey lance i have a ridgid BS as well, i was wondering what you used for the riser? does ridgid sell one or did you use a different brand?

Hey Mike... its Grizzly H3051. Ridgid does sell a riser kit, but if I recall, its $160 and the Grizzly is like $60. Its a perfect bolt in. Its painted green, so with the $100 you save, buy some grey paint if that bothers you.:)

Lance Norris
01-08-2009, 10:28 AM
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=104458&d=1230058450 http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=104460&d=1230058796

Not trying to steal the thread. I was just talking with a friend and he was telling me that those Carter Stabilizers are the way to go. I might have to get one for my GO555x.

Great post and thanks for sharing. I think there are too few bandsaw box articles on this forum and this helps to fix that problem.

-R

Robby... nice box. I really like paduk and recently just bought a bunch. Im going to contrast it with some walnut on some and maple on others. I also have cut boxes with the dividers in the bottom. If you look at the thread linked at the top, the box with the drawer has the divider cut in the top chamber. As per your comment on the Carter Bandsaw Stabilizer, I think its a great addition to a bandsaw when using a tiny blade. I use an 1/8" blade on my Ridgid BS and there was no other way to control a small blade otherwise. Neat for me is it also fits my bigger Grizzly BS, but I almost never use the small blades on that saw.

Robby Tacheny
01-08-2009, 1:32 PM
Wow! I didn't look at the linked thread. Those are beautiful! Very nice work and finish. I was using a 1/4" TimberWolf blade for mine because my roller bearings won't allow for a 1/8" blade. You know, I saw someone online selling boxes lined with felt which were based on that design for $159 each. I think its a very streamlined design, and the lack of visible hinges is nice too!

I think I may have to get the Carter Stabilizer and a 3/16" or 1/8" Timberwolf blade. I need to get a 1/2" too!

I am glad this thread resurfaced,

-R

Pat Germain
01-08-2009, 5:28 PM
You know, I saw someone online selling boxes lined with felt which were based on that design for $159 each.
-R

I was in Estes Park recently and saw bandsaw boxes going for over $300 each at a "Gallery". They were OK, similar to the Lois Ventura designs, but nothing spectacular. I doubt that store sold many at that price.

FYI, you don't need to line the drawers with felt. You just get this stuff called flocking. It's a kind of powdered fabric. You brush some glue onto the drawer surface and spray it on with a cardboard tube. When it's dry, it looks like the drawers are lined with felt. It's inexpensive and very effective: two features I appreciate!

Dave Lehnert
01-08-2009, 8:40 PM
Looks GREAT!

Just wondering what bandsaw you own?

Lance Norris
01-09-2009, 11:11 AM
Looks GREAT!

Just wondering what bandsaw you own?

Dave... if your asking me... I have 2 bandsaws. The first I bought is a Grizzly G0457(excellent). The second is the much complained about Ridgid BS14002. Im lazy and didnt like changing blades back and forth all the time, so after I bought the Griz, I bought the Ridgid. I keep a 3/4" blade on the Griz and a 1/8" on the Ridgid. After tuning and some mods, the Ridgid is a fine saw. The Griz was excellent right out of the box.

Jason Tuinstra
01-11-2009, 12:34 AM
Lance, nice post. Thanks for putting the work into it.