Bottoms for cigar type boxes

[dan lemkin]

Hi,

I just got a new leigh 24" superjig and wanted to practice with it by making some jewelry/cigar size boxes... I was going to use through-dovetails on the sides, and a single piece top on hinges...

The bottom has be a bit perplexed... I want it recessed, so only the sides show when it sits on a table. But I want it flush with the bottom, so a slot like used for drawer construction wont work.

I was going to assemble the sides, and rabbet the sides using a router, chisel out the corners, and nest the bottom piece in the recessed space. I was considering adding shallow biscuits on 4 sides to add additional "fall-out" strength.

Is there an easier, or more aesthetically preferred method for doing this?

thanks
dan

[Joe Chritz]

You can do the rabbits before assembly but since you have to do a stopped rabbit anyway it probably isn't any faster.

The rabbit joint is a long grain to face grain glue up and should be plenty strong without any extra work. It isn't like the case can hold 50 pounds or anything.

Joe