Watchbox-in progress

[allen levine]

Wanted to make a couple of boxes, a watchbox, humidor-gifts
Watchbox is for my son.
Figured when I croak, I want him to inherit my watches, the few that Ive purchased over the past 35 years that have any value.


Got alot of mahogany, so why not give it a shot.
I dont do well with tight fitting little things made out of wood.

Had some planed down from table, figured out the size I need.

check out this cool clamp,26185 not sure if its made for this or strictly cabinets, 26186but it worked fine, just had to adjust pressure and tighten down,measured all sides to see if square.
Wanted a small base molding to go around bottom of box, since IM glueing a bottom to walls. Have to make my own molding, so I routed out a few lengths with a profile, maybe cove?(its not like I have a choice, I only have 3 router bits for shaping edges)
Then cut the wood to 2 inches height, and then sliced it as thin as I could get without losing the profile.(about 5/8ths, I was shooting for 3/8s)
Glued up a base, cut out a top, and now I have to let it sit and dry overnight before I continue.

[Bill Arnold]

Allen,

Nice start to your project. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.

Those Merle clamps are really nice to have around. I bought a couple of them several years ago along with extra corners. I've used them for boxes as well as an octagonal piece I made a few years ago.

[allen levine]

I thought I had bought it,(at a garage sale or flea market) but I remembered after I started with this hobby, my neighbor, who does contracting, said he had no use for them, he saw me making boxes he gave it to me. (I never thought Id use it)

[Tom Niemi]

I have a simular clamp hanging on the clamp wall, I'll have to give it a try on a box. For some reason I never thought of using it. Been using painters tape as a clamping system on boxes. Thanks Allen

Tom

[Bill Arnold]

I thought I had bought it,(at a garage sale or flea market) but I remembered after I started with this hobby, my neighbor, who does contracting, said he had no use for them, he saw me making boxes he gave it to me. (I never thought Id use it)
I don't use mine often, but they come in handy occasionally. Not to hijack your thread, but here's a link (http://www.mlcswoodworking.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/smarthtml/pages/merle_clamp.html) to more info on the clamp system.

[allen levine]

thanx, wont make much difference in my work though, I still cant cut a perfect mitre'd corner.(I think I shoulda went with the finger joints.)

[Vaughn McMillan]

Looks like it'll be a fun project. :thumb: I got couple of those Merle clamps on sale a year or so ago. Still haven't used them, but at some point I suspect they'll come in handy. Just waiting for the right project.
...I still cant cut a perfect mitre'd corner...

You can, but it just hasn't happend yet. It will. ;)

[allen levine]

I breezed through some of the jewerly boxes and other small boxes made by others on this site, and realized whoa boy!
What am I thinking?:dunno:

did ya see jasons maple box? wow.

Alot of you guys should be happy Im posting this thread, cause the value of your boxes will skyrocket when Im done.
Show the wives and girlfriends my box and you'll get your favorite meals for a month straight!

[allen levine]

since I started this thread, Ill put a few more pics as it nears completion.

(I can honestly say you guys have been tolerant of my work and postings related to it. )

Didnt feel like wasting any more mahogany to make the inserts.
Used pine, but it will be covered with felt like substance as will the entire inside.
Small pillows will hold the watches.

ONe pic shows as close as I can get and fix the corners.(this is why I dont build small boxes)At least I managed to hold the camera still.

I took a shot so it shows the lid, I routed out a profile on the lid to match the bottom molding profile.(keep the laughing to a minimum)

Im a bit ashamed to ask this question, but Im using small hinges that will have to be mortised into the back and lid.
Ive never mortised a hinge into hardwood(accurately, or at least close enough).
Is there a special technique, using a chisel? Do I make many taps going down the depth I need? I really dont want to mess up the box now.

[Rennie Heuer]

Hey Allen, those miters don't look half bad. Well done! I wish some of mine came out that tight.

[Jeff Bower]

Allen, your to hard on yourself...that is an outstanding looking box. I can't wait to see how it looks with some finish on it. Well Done! :thumb:

BTW, you are providing great threads on projects from start to completion....I think everyone on the site appreciates that. Thank You!

[Tom Niemi]

Not a thing wrong with your corners, better than I can do :p and as Jeff said, give yourself a break, too rough on yourself, YOU DO GOOD STUFF :thumb:

Tom

[larry merlau]

see allen it aint jist me tellun ya to be easier on your self... those who say cant never will and those like you who keep tryun will and will do more than they think..as for your hinge question take and postion it where you want it ,,mark it out with a sharp pencil or betteryet and utility knife just mark it, if your hands are that steady then use the pencil..then after you have th eoutline take your chisle and tap the out line with the bevel side to the to part that gonna be gone ..tap it lightly dont want to go to deep your just staing your shape..then go back and take your chisel and tap across the area every 1/8" or so down deeper to get the depth your after not all at once the final thing will be shaving out the final fit..after you get your 1/8 cuts done go back and gently tap themout but be careful near your outside edge that you want to stay there take your time and you can practice on a scrap pieec to get the feel for it ,,after you have done acouple you wil have the methode down pat allen..if you dont understand feel free to ask more questions and like jeff said your the one carrin the ball right now in flat work stuff so we are relying on you :thumb::D

[Gayl Beals]

Allen That box looks just fine.Those mitre'd corners look really nice.:thumb:

[Bill Arnold]

Allen,

You mentioned mortising your hinges, but had you thought about using barrel hinges? I've used them on one box I made and like them because they're concealed when the box is closed.

[larry merlau]

here is another thought,, you could use the none mortising type. they come in a couple diffrnt sizes.. just postion and screw.

[allen levine]

I ordered a cheap pair of brass hinges. Regular rectangle hinges.
I think I like the non mortise type better, Ill look up a pair,(rocker?)
The box is very plain, a little brass showing is ok.

I rubbed in a coat of Formby's Tung oil(is it really tung oil?)I also rubbed the inside of the box even though its going to be lined, the words of the guy going off in my head saying always do to one side what you do to the other to prevent problems.

I guess the box was thirsty, call it really drank up that oil quickly. Ill let it dry at least 24, probably more before I rub over it.(this pic is the first coat)

[allen levine]

Allen That box looks just fine.Those mitre'd corners look really nice.:thumb:

Gary, I took a board of 1x10 pine and cut it down into 3 inch strips.

Set my mitre saw at 45 Degrees,(bevel) well, it wouldnt set, seems I could not get it to fold down all the way, so I just moved the blade over the table to 45, and kept practicing making 3 inch high pine squares till I got one that fit good.
Now IM going to take a 1 inch thick piece of mahogany, and practice cutting out a mortise.

Im in the middle of repainting and recovering my 25 old kitchen/dinnette chairs dark brown with tan cushions, since the white look went out when I brought the new table in.(My wife wants me to get busy making chairs now)

Its been super busy at work, I have to take the day off from woodworking and hop into work to pat the crew on the back and tell them what fine job they are doing.

[allen levine]

I just showed it to a buddy who stopped off on his way home to say hi.
He took one look at the box, and said, wow, looks like a miniture casket.
You burying something in it?

[Stuart Ablett]

Tell him you are burying time in it :thumb:

Looks good to me, nice looking wood too. The point of the box is the watches, not the box, so I think a nice simple, tasteful box is what is called for, and you are achieving that :clap:

Good luck on the hinges, I agree with Larry, practice a few, you would not want to damage your fine work so far :wave:

[allen levine]

I went out ofcourse, and took out a nice foot piece of mahogany and was tapping away with a chisel.
It looks like such a simple, easy task, but theres no second chances.
(I think I waste more BF practicing anything and everything than I do in the actual build itself most of the times)

Stu Im going to copy this box except for the bottom modling, will go with much thinner next one, and line it with 1/4 inch spanish cedar and call it a humidor(maybe a little brass latch in front and a brass handle on top)

[larry merlau]

allen i dont know what your plans are on the inside coating cloth or flocking, but the sealing witha oil inside might be a trouble spot brewing..the adhesive may not want to stick well... so heads up friend... and as for the practicing board feet use any thing it doesnt have to be the good stuff just a slat of a pallet will do your just cuttin wood to get the feel of how to do a operation for the future

[allen levine]

I have the box in the house drying at room temperature, and just took a walk into the garage. No way Ill be doing much of anything, its 17 degrees out there, Ill stay inside or head over to one of the big stores to look around.

I will not leave this llittle project the way it is, it bothers me my buddy called it a coffin.

IM going to attempt, (Im pretty sure Ill ruin the top), to rout out a center rectangle, rabbet out a groove and place a piece of smoked lucite in there.
I figured hed stop by and then call it a coffin with a moon roof.

[larry merlau]

allen dont worry so much about what others think!!!! everybody has opinions. they are like other things that we all have!!! he may have just been kiddin and to chance making the box have a catastrophy isnt worth it.. someone else posted a box just recently that looked alot yours and it was nt critcized with that term... he ,,your buddy can go take a hike, he isnt a good friend if he cant be nice with comments..

[Bill Arnold]

I just showed it to a buddy who stopped off on his way home to say hi. He took one look at the box, and said, wow, looks like a miniture casket. You burying something in it?
Amen to what Stu and Larry said.

When someone else likes something I've made, that's great. But, the main thing is what LOML and I think about it. :thumb:

[Toni Ciuraneta]

One thing is making constructive criticism that help you to improve in whatever you're doing, another is just being mean and sarcastic in order to harm you.

I would just send him to pasture, which is a literal translation from what we say here...

[Rennie Heuer]

I just showed it to a buddy who stopped off on his way home to say hi.
He took one look at the box, and said, wow, looks like a miniture casket.
You burying something in it?
You could ask him to model it for you. :eek::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[allen levine]

hes not mean spirited at all, just very honest with me and wont hold back anything he wants to tell me.
(were close, known each other since we were 14)
My only 2 good straight bits(yes, that is sad), one was too short, the other had a broken bearing/stop.
Way too cold anyway, I couldnt feel my fingers.
Maybe Ill leave it alone, just put the hardware on it when its fully coated and finished.

[allen levine]

Kudos to all you guys/gals that make jewerly and small boxes every day.
Dealing with these tiny pieces of hardware is not for me.
Its 35 degrees in the garage, my hands are stiff, the joints dont bend in my fingers, most of my fingertips have the ends split from drying out, so I dont feel much in the tips anyway, and these little tiny itsy bitsy brass screws, Id rather be building a dog house.

Everything I do is usually something new to me.
Ive never used a chisel in my life for anything but cleaning out the mortises Ive cut with the drill press.
I scored the wood with a sharp razor blade, chiseled out the outline, then worked it slowly and carefully. Its far from perfect, really far from perfect, but when you screw a hinge over the errors, hehe, most dissapear.
The only huge error I made was going a bit too far in once with the drill bit.26505See on the left side, right side of the hinge, the bit didnt go through,(looks like a pimple) it poked the surface from underneath. I pushed it back, surface was not cut through, and put finish over it, Ill see how it comes out.
Yeah, I know I should have used a stop, but I figured just a tap with the bit, just break the surface. Eh, Im not selling it.
Heres a few pics so far. 3 rub on coats of tung, lightly sanded in between each coat, 4 rub on Minwax wipe on gloss poly.
I hade to sand out something on the edge, so Ill put a few more coats of poly on it, Then Ill felt line the interior.

I can build 4 adirondack chairs in the same amount of time Im devoting to this little box.

[larry merlau]

ya dun good again,, let me tell ya a story about drillin,,dad had built a chest it was far from perfect and we all have mistakes i our work,, bt he brought over one daya nd we looked at it and together we decide we could help it out in the appearnce factor,, we both worked on it i did some when he wasnt there.. but we got his all fixed up and i finished it for him stain and laquer.. well it was time to put it back together. he had along piano hinge and and had made his moretis to deep so he put a shim in under the hinge to make it work.. wel when he put it back togehter he switched places with the shim and went to screwin in the screws.. yup he had the nicest set of dimples you never wanted to see in the top..:eek: but he was happy that it turned out better than he had planned and that the next time he would do things differntly..we all learn from the mistakes,,, as for your dimple next time get your self a set of "thixx bits' i think that is right name they are made for predrilling hnges allen and you wont be going threw with out stops no more.. they come in sets of 3 usually.. the watch box looks fine.. thanks for sharun!!!

[Rob Keeble]

Hi Larry ....I think you mean VIXX bits.

[larry merlau]

Hi Larry ....I think you mean VIXX bits.

thanks rob yup i had that first but it dint look right:rolleyes:

[allen levine]

before I slice up the spanish cedar for a humidor, Ill get me a set so I dont make the same mistake twice.
Im quite sure there are plenty of other mistakes I can manage.

[Vaughn McMillan]

I think the watch box came out looking beautiful, Allen. Much better than my first few boxes. Your corners are nice and tight, and the simple but consistent profiles on the lid and base are a nice enhancement.

Your hinge mortises also look real good...better than the few I've done. Like you saw, the hinge covers up most problems as long as you stay inside the lines with the chisel.

I noticed Larry commenting earlier about applying flocking over an oiled surface. I don't think you have anything to worry about. The Formby's "Tung Oil" finish is just a wiping varnish, so once it's cured a day or so the flocking adhesive should have no problem adhering to it.

All in all, I think you deserve to be proud of this box, but if you keep this up, you're going to have to start admitting you're a real woodworker. ;) (Face it, you really are a woodworker. Maybe not as experienced as some of the guys here, but you conceive, build, and finish nice things out of wood. That's woodworking in my book.) And every project like this where you try new techniques and tools makes the next project that much easier.

[allen levine]

I didnt put more than the first coat inside.

After my ipe table and chairs, Im pretty happy with my status as a novice woodworker.

Im pretty sure Im going to stick with indoor furniture for a while now.

thanyou all for the nice comments(and mostly helpful advice)

[allen levine]

basically finished, just need to put the felt covered blocks under each watch.

Put something in there so it gives it a bit of character as to what it is.
I hope I dont give it to my son for another 35 years, but I like to have things sorted out, so this is one less thing Ill think about, and he'll have something to remember his old man everytime he trips over it.(maybe he'll dump the watches out in his sock drawer and use the box for candy, his mail, whatever, as long as he remembers who made it for him.

[larry merlau]

hey allen did you notice that reflection in the bottom side of your box lid??? its reflecting the watches ,but its also reflecting the shine that you put on the finish on the whole project,,that doesnt happen by accident:thumb:

[allen levine]

thankyou kindly.

The next box Im going to try to incorporate some more intricate joinery.
Figured each time I build one try to teach myself different techniques.

[Tom Niemi]

Sure turned out good Allen :thumb: Very nice build, very nice finish. I'm sure in another 35 or more years when your son receives this he will value it. (burns the build pics on a CD to give him also.....that is if they are not acient antiques then:p)

Tom