Keepsake Box with Mitered Dovetail Joints

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When I saw the mitered dovetail in a YouTube video I just had to try it myself!  The woods I used were Hickory, Padauk and Wenge, which I planed to ~1/2" thickness.  Baltic Birch plywood was used for the box and tray bases, and I used Maple for the tray rails.  In making the box, I hand cut the eight side-edges with tails, which was a bit tedious, and they didn't come out as cleanly and consistently as I'd have liked.   Using a router with a dovetail jig would have made them all perfect, and it would've been done much quicker, but where's the fun in that?  I then mitered the sides and made 1/4" grooves for the base and tray rails.  I also cut a rounded groove across the top inside face of the back side of the box using a cove bit.  This rounded groove allows the lid to open, as without it, the rear edge of the lid would bind against the back side of the box.  I then made the lid, and hinged it to the box using 1/8" brass rod.  I then made side handles and feet out of Wenge.  For the handles, I also used brass rod pins for added strength and aesthetics.   The inside tray is made from 1/4" stock using lap joints.  Lastly, I finished everything using Odie's Dark Oil, which I think worked very well on the hickory to help give it some more depth.

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11 Comments

Great looking box!

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

High potential for failure with that complexity, but looks like you pulled it off like an ace!

Very interesting joinery and design! Colors are wild too
great box, love that dovetail style.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Beautifully done!  I've used the "original" Odie's so am interested in the color change with the dark oil.  Do you have any "pre" finish pictures?  Turned out really nice.
Love me some Odie’s! Never used anything other than the original though…not sure why?

Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".

Good looking box, lik the handle for the lid as well as the dovetails and wood choices 

Ron

Interesting box.   Good contrast of timbers.  
Nice job - lots of interesting features!
fascinating work done well

WOW, just wow....great work!

Mike