Let's get started making some small boxes!
These will be boxes suitable for toothpicks, matches, or whatever of similar size. I'll be using blanks 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" because I happened to have a lot of blanks that size on hand.
I start by drilling as many tops and bottoms as I need. I like 7/8" for the bottoms and 1" for the tops. That allows me to cut the bottoms with a tenon or shoulder to fit snugly into the 1" top while leaving the wall 1/16" thick.
Next I mount one of my 7/8" jamb chuck fixtures and a drilled bottom blank using the tailstock for safety. (See more about the fixtures in my earlier post at
http://www.rickurbanwoodturner.blogspot.com/2012/01/tools-for-small-boxes.html ).
Then I shape the bottom, cut to mark where the waste block will be parted (cut) from the top, and cut a tenon so the bottom can be held in the chuck jaws. I repeat this for the rest of the bottom blanks.
Next time we'll do the tops and almost finish the boxes.
13 1/4" x 3"
Mount the bottom on the fixture sized for the opening. If it's too loose just shim it with a piece (or two) of paper towel.
I start by drilling as many tops and bottoms as I need. I like 7/8" for the bottoms and 1" for the tops. That allows me to cut the bottoms with a tenon or shoulder to fit snugly into the 1" top while leaving the wall 1/16" thick.
Then I shape the bottom, cut to mark where the waste block will be parted (cut) from the top, and cut a tenon so the bottom can be held in the chuck jaws. I repeat this for the rest of the bottom blanks.
I have also made some fixtures for mounting the predrilled blanks. These have a morse taper for the headstock and are also held by the jaws of the chuck seen in the picture. That makes it possible to make small adjustments in the mounting so they run true.
I use a lot of different tools from time to time, but these work well for me for this project. The 1" spindle roughing gouge lets me round the blank and form the general shape quickly while the 3/8" bedan tool is great for peeling away the small sections of waste very quickly. There isn't a better tool than a skew chisel for leaving a clean final surface on this kind of object. This one is a 1" skew. The 1/16" parting tool separates the project from the waste without loosing too much of the stock.
I make small boxes for gifts and for sale. I was surprised to learn just how many other people have a fascination for well made boxes. Some are for treasures, some for toothpicks, and some just hold wishes. I'll go through the process I use to make them.
