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Box 5

5/21/2015

10 Comments

 
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The idea for this box has been floating around in my head for quite some time. I had not made it yet because every time it surfaced I couldn't get the proportions right. But inspiration often comes when we are least looking for it. After I had completed box 4, I put it on the counter, knelt down in front of it to get a head on look at the front elevation, and it hit me. Those were the perfect dimensions for this box. The length and width of this box are the same as the length and height of box 4. I haven't been giving dimensions, but if you're wondering the box is 2 in. wide and 12 in. long.

When I thought of this box in the past, I never had particular species in mind for the sides and lids. As I was looking through my lumber rack and assorted piles of small pieces of lumber, I took a break to go into the house and see what the kids were doing. My daughter was in her room, which is where I saw a little wall cabinet I made several years ago (see the picture at left). It's ash and apple. The apple is gorgeous. I immediately decided to make the lids from apple. I thought about making the body from ash, but back in my shop I came across a very nice piece of quartersawn white oak that was just the right size for the sides. The earthy, multi-hued apple, I thought, would compliment the white oak's brown very well. I think the woods go very well together. Sadly, my stash of apple got a bit smaller.

I had planned to put some cocobolo lifts on the lids. But when I got to that point in the construction I just couldn't do it. No matter where I placed the lifts, they obscured the apple's beautiful grain and colors. The box body was already finished, but that didn't deter me. At the drill press, I used a Forstner bit to create the finger openings. I actually used two different bits. The opening in the middle is larger than the ones on the sides. I plan to reuse this technique (I might even remake this box in different woods), and I'll put a finger opening on both the front and back for each compartment. You can open the compartments just fine as it is, but it will be easier if you can pinch the lid between two fingers.

I don't remember when I decided to paint the top face of the box bottom. In the past, I've made fabric cushions for the insides of boxes, and I always choose a fabric that popped. (Take a look these boxes to see what I mean). That lead to the milk paint, I guess. I just like the surprise of opening an all wood box and seeing a bright splash of color. The marigold yellow milk paint looks great, I think. I like how it crackled of it's own accord.

OK, time for some random thoughts:

  1. This is an awesome piece of apple. Look at those colors. It's amazing that it had a small "defect" in just the right place so that I could get one in each lid. When viewed from the top, the lids look like little framed paintings. The box is subdued enough to let the lids stand out in all their beauty. (Apple could be the prettiest wood there is. Madrone is a close second.)
  2. Drilling those finger openings was scary. I thought they'd look good and work, but I wasn't sure. I was wavering, but reminded myself that part of the reason I'm doing this 52 box thing is to take risks. I'm glad I did it.
  3. Marigold yellow milk paint! You never fail me.
  4. Look at that white oak. Not only does it have some very cool ray fleck, but the grain has some funky glittery streaks. If I didn't know better, I'd think it came from Fangorn or Lothlorien. Hell, what do I know, perhaps it did. Let me know if you see any Ents or Gil-galad headed my way.

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10 Comments
Billy
5/22/2015 03:07:37 am

Once again I am most impressed with( besides the craftsmanship, of course) the eloquence that shines out from the simplicity. These boxes are now having me look at objects in a different light and I am anxious to see if and how it affects my next project.

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Matt Kenney
5/22/2015 05:25:29 am

Billy,

Thank you very much. The best compliment you can give a person is to say that you've been inspired by his or her work. Good luck in the shop.

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Adam
5/23/2015 06:19:47 am

Beautiful. As you might be able to tell, I'm following the progress eagerly! I too love the pop of the bright yellow paint! Both of those woods are just awesome. Have you ever used lyptus wood? It has some of the same qualities of the apple you've used (at least in pictures) and it's sustainably produced in Brazil. It's really inexpensive right now because of how fast it grows, but I think it is a really beautiful wood that is under appreciated. Maybe because it's newer to the market.

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Matt Kenney
5/23/2015 02:41:08 pm

Adam,

I've never used lyptus but I've seen it many times, although not for many years. I'll give it a closer look the next time I see it at a lumber yard or woodworking store. I don't know the exact year that lights was introduced, but recall that it was not long after I started woodworking. I would guess about 10 years ago.

At any rate, thanks for reading. I hope the boxes continue to peak your interest.

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Jerry Stark
5/28/2015 09:37:48 am

I like the design, materials and execution.
Another great box.
I am still getting used to the idea of using milk paint on and in boxes, but it certainly is working for you. Very nice.
Treebeard would be proud of what you have done with the white oak and apple.
Regards...

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Matt Kenney
5/29/2015 02:36:10 pm

Thanks, Jerry. Don't worry, I'm sure I'll bring you over to the dark side soon enough. Milk paint is impossible to resist.

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Chris Somers
6/2/2015 12:57:07 pm

I've been a fan of mixing natural wood + color for a long time, and that's probably why your boxes are appealing to me - that and their elegance!

Regarding the lids/lift on the current incarnation, a couple thoughts... I'm guessing the grain and "defect" of the apple spoke to you about orienting it left->right and "top/bottom" - so, the 3 lids already MUST be put back in the exact right space and orientation, just to preserve that look. I think, then, having the finger cutout on just one side makes perfect sense. The thing you could do to improve the lift is round-over the "back" edge of each lid, so they would rotate better, kinda like on an invisible hinge, if you lift from the cutout with your thumb.

Anyway, just a though. Looking forward to the next one.

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Matt Kenney
6/2/2015 02:44:14 pm

Chris,

That's an interesting idea for the lids. I've made boxes that worked in a similar fashion. I got the idea for a woodworker named John Nessitt, who's been in Fine Woodworking a few times. You can see him box in an article called "4 Ways to Top a Box." I think that I'm listed as the author of the article, but John and Mike Pekovich also have boxes in the article.

Thanks for reading.

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Chris Somers
6/2/2015 05:00:26 pm

Very cool! I just went to that article and jumped to the 4th box - ingenious, making the back rabbet deeper to hold the upright lid, plus the subtle side tapers :)

One other thing I thought of on the suggestion of rounding over the back edge of the lids of your current design - both the bottom and top corners of the back edge: it would provide both visual and tactile clues when it comes to replacing the lids in their proper direction.

Anyway, fun stuff, thinking about small design elements like this.

-C

Jake
4/21/2018 02:15:38 pm

Matt,

I subscribe to the magazine, listen to the podcast, and just purchased your book; 52 boxes in 52 weeks. You have inspired me to follow the path of tiny furniture making. Oh and a nice quartersawn piece of apple is in my opinion the most visually striking wood species that’s ever grown out of the ground.

Jake

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    I love furniture design, and smart techniques. This blog is about both.

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