Concealed compartments - designs?

[Anonymous]

I plan to make my eldest granddaughter a jewelry box for her birthday this year (September) as she hits two figures this time. Rather than just go for a regular design I wanted to incorporate a hidden compartment. My concept was to have a drawer in the bottom half and the usual lift-up lid and trays inside etc, but I wanted to put in a false bottom so that there could be a compartment at the back of the drawer - the drawer wouldn't go full depth.

I could do an easy solution with a carefully made removable bottom, but I want to do something a bit more 'exciting' and have it spring loaded with a hidden catch. That sort of thing would appeal to her. Does anyone have any designs that I could take the concept from and adapt? Easier than starting from scratch... Other suggestions for hidden compartments are also welcome.

Thanks.

 

[Aragorn]

Can't help with any plans, but I saw Norm do one once where the moulding around the bottom was in fact a hidden drawer. I looked quite good I seem to remember!

 

[DaveL]

I saw Norm do one once where the moulding around the bottom was in fact a hidden drawer. I looked quite good I seem to remember!

I think I have that on DVD somewhere, let me know if you would like to see it.

 

[Noel]

Speaking of which, the Norm merchandising empire begins to grow. There will be NYW DVDs available later this year.


Noel

 

[Midnight]

Brian...

although these aren't jewelry boxes, there's a bunch of ideas for secret drawers, hidden compartments etc although you'll have to do a little head scratching re their release mechanisms..

http://www.hygra.com/writing.html#WBb1800

 

[frank]

i can think of two lads that must have seen a few,( norman and restorer )

 

[Alf]

Not really an answer, but have you seen the Jewelry Box competition on Wood Central, Brian? Might be helpful with some ideas.

Cheers, Alf

 

[norman]

i can think of two lads that must have seen a few,( norman and restorer )

Hi Frank
Yes lots. could show you how !! not sure I could explain in writing as its part of the planing stage.
sorry
Norman

 

[The Restorer]

Certainly found a few and some that the owners didn't even know were there (normally empty though) did find one with a picture of a long passed away relative of the clients in, certainly made the bill easier to swallow.
As far as making/designing them, as Norman says difficult to describe, desperately trying to think where i've seen an article with one in a jewelry box that would fit the bill but just can't think of it. (will let you know if it clicks) There most commonly found in bureaus where you've got a bit more room to play with. Best one i saw had 26 secret compartments!

 

[norman]

Hi Brian

if you could give us some idea of the style for the box, maybe we could come up with some ideas :idea:
norman

 

[Anonymous]

I like the spice box idea on the Wood Central winners page, but it's too large for Zoe (grand-daughter). Something with less drawers. I have made two jewelry boxes in the past -- see the last two items on this page http://www.managementtectonics.com/woodwork/objets.html

I'm thinking of a combination idea - spice box with lift up lid plus cabinet with door in front of a number of drawers. The secret compartment could be accessed under the lid, or at the back of a/some drawers, or (easiest idea perhaps) a removable back panel. The removable back panel would have a hidden release, probably inside the top. It could even be a slide-out design, where the panel drops through a slot in the base on release of a catch (could be hidden underneath).

Trying to figure out how to do it in a small design is what's making it interesting! I have found a couple of designs for fly-apart boxes, and a couple of interesting boxes that have built-in linkages to trap the unwary (all in long past issues of American Woodworker), so I'm feeling I could design something quite interesting. Now all I need is time....

 

[J.A.S]

Brian,

there's quite a good description, with pictures, of adding a secret draw to a box in Doug Stowe's Box Making (Taunton: Newtown, 2004), p. 92.

The design incorporates the draw in the box's base, and could thus be a starting point for the more complex secret draw that you're after.

Hope this helps.

JS