Marineboy
Established Member
I have been woodworking most of my life but put myself in the timber butchery category rather than anything approaching joinery. I know much of the theory but have not really tried to put it into practice. This forum has provided the inspiration for me to attempt something a bit more skilful and intricate.
So, I thought I would start with something small, hence the box. I have done simple dovetails in softwood but never in hardwood. I have some mahogany salvaged from a school changing room (benches) and some ash from the pallet that my woodburner logs were delivered in. I first cut the sides of the box to length, planed them flat with my router sled, and shot the ends square. Now to the dovetails. I quickly realised that hardwood is actually easier than softwood in making these joints, but less forgiving of any inaccuracy in marking out. So, the joints are not the best, but I hope to improve with further practice.
Following the usually accepted best way of constructing the box complete and then cutting off the lid, I routed a groove in the top of each side to accept the box top. This I made from two pieces of mahogany which I edge joined and moulded on the router table using a flat cutter and a coving cutter. It all went together well. To cut off the top I used a 1.5mm groover from Wealden Tools. This produced a superbly clean cut. Gratitude to Custard for his tip I saw in another thread, ie to set the router fence so that the cut just fails to break through the sides, then use a craft knife to make the final separation.
The photos show the box finished other than the hinges and the base. I‘ve finished the top with sanding sealer and wax and will do the rest when the hinges and base are fitted. I am reasonably pleased with it, but intend to make the next one better! Thanks to all on the forum – the vast reservoir of your experience and skill coupled with the willingness to share your knowledge has been invaluable.
So, I thought I would start with something small, hence the box. I have done simple dovetails in softwood but never in hardwood. I have some mahogany salvaged from a school changing room (benches) and some ash from the pallet that my woodburner logs were delivered in. I first cut the sides of the box to length, planed them flat with my router sled, and shot the ends square. Now to the dovetails. I quickly realised that hardwood is actually easier than softwood in making these joints, but less forgiving of any inaccuracy in marking out. So, the joints are not the best, but I hope to improve with further practice.
Following the usually accepted best way of constructing the box complete and then cutting off the lid, I routed a groove in the top of each side to accept the box top. This I made from two pieces of mahogany which I edge joined and moulded on the router table using a flat cutter and a coving cutter. It all went together well. To cut off the top I used a 1.5mm groover from Wealden Tools. This produced a superbly clean cut. Gratitude to Custard for his tip I saw in another thread, ie to set the router fence so that the cut just fails to break through the sides, then use a craft knife to make the final separation.
The photos show the box finished other than the hinges and the base. I‘ve finished the top with sanding sealer and wax and will do the rest when the hinges and base are fitted. I am reasonably pleased with it, but intend to make the next one better! Thanks to all on the forum – the vast reservoir of your experience and skill coupled with the willingness to share your knowledge has been invaluable.
