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Box 9

6/11/2015

11 Comments

 
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This box might look like others that I have made (walnut and marigold yellow together), but there is a huge difference between it and everything else I've made. This is my first bandsawn box. In the past, I've made it clear that I really do not like them (listen to our discussion with David Picciuto, the Drunken Woodworker). Here's why. The vast majority of the bandsawn boxes that I've seen are ugly. Very ugly. The reason why they are ugly is simple. The folks who make them focus on the fact that they're making a box with a bandsaw, so they throw in all kinds of wacky curves, goofy shapes, and drawers within drawers. The box is meant to display the fact that it was made with a bandsaw. Who cares how something was made other than the person who made it? (I know other woodworkers do. We care too much about that sometimes.) Personally, I want the people who see my boxes not to even think about how I made it. I want them to say, "That's beautiful." So, I tried to make a beautiful bandsawn box. Perhaps I succeeded. Perhaps I didn't. I'll definitely try again.

OK, I'm getting off the soapbox before I go too far. I made this box while at Peters Valley School of Craft teaching a woodworking course. (By the way, Peters Valley is a wonderful place to take a class.) I actually made two of this box. The first one was sold in the weekly auction held to benefit the school. The only difference between that box (right) and this one is that I painted the ends of the lid, too. I like both of the boxes, but I think the original (no paint on lid) is a bit more elegant. However, I do like that the lid on this version overhangs the box body more. I intentionally made the lid on the first one smaller, but the overhang got so small that it no longer looks intentional. Design should always be intentional—and look that way.

This box was a good learning experience. I've definitely thought of ways to improve the craftsmanship on my next bandsawn boxes. One of the things I figured out after making the first version of the box, but before starting the second one, is that you get tighter glue lines if you do not sand the bandsawn surfaces after cutting them. Look at the picture below that shows the inside of the box. Those are machine marks left by the bandsaw. That could be a very cool surface texture on the inside. The next time I make a bandsawn box, I'll work on controlling the appearance of the machine marks. For example, for a fairly nuanced surface, I could use a variable pitch blade, like the 3-4 variable TPI resaw blades on the market. These blades are also very thin, and that would help with the glueline.

There's not much else to say, but if you have questions, please ask. I'll answer as best I can. Now for some random thoughts.

  1. To create a shadow line around the bottom, I routed a very small (1/16 in. by 1/16 in.) rabbet around the perimeter. This is a small box (it's made from a piece of 8/4 air-dried walnut turned on edge), so that was an exciting process. Smart setup of the router table made it safe, but it was still exhilarating.
  2. I used blue painters tape to mask off the sides. This made crisp lines at the corner possible, but it also meant that the paint built up a small lip at the corners. I sanded those away with some 320-grit sandpaper before I shellacked the walnut.
  3. The lid's overhang is a natural consequence of the bandsawing process. The lid was cut from the body before the sides were cut free. Cutting the sides free removed material, making the box body narrowing than the lid. This is cool, I think. I exploited the technique for the purpose of design. (It was unexpected, but as soon as I recognized what had happened, I knew how I could use it.)
  4. I'm still a bit skeptical of bandsawn boxes. I think it's possible to make gorgeous boxes using the technique. Just look at what Michael Cullen has done (the black box at the top of this page is a bandsawn box, I believe. And he has an article coming out in FWW that shows more beautiful bandsawn boxes). So, perhaps I'll come around. It's fast, that's for sure. I cut out and glued together these boxes in about 15 minutes. Perhaps after I've refined my approach to them I'll embrace the technique more heartily.

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11 Comments
Billy Davis
6/14/2015 02:19:14 pm

Matt, that's beautiful.

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Billy davis
6/14/2015 02:21:02 pm

One question. How does the lid stay on? Does it overlap the sides?

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Matt Kenney
6/14/2015 02:57:23 pm

Sorry, Billy. I completely forget to explain the top. It has a very shallow rabbet around the perimeter, so the bit that doesn't get removed fits inside the box. And thanks for the compliment.

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Will Simpson link
6/15/2015 03:11:10 am

Your an inspiration. Love the notion of a personal project or challenge to grow and develop skills. My notions of box make have evolved just by reading about your progress. I'm sure the actual doing is so rewarding.

Like you I have found bandsaw boxes to be clunky. You state the reason well, they telegraph the process of making rather than have a design message. Yours uses the bandsaw box making process to further the design and is mostly a hidden aspect of the finished box.

Great work ...

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Jerry Stark
6/23/2015 08:03:08 am

Great box. I have made many bandsawn boxes and I generally agree with you. It is really easy to get carried away with emphasizing technique over form or function. I believe the key is restraint and a good sketchbook, but whatever works...
I like this box. It has great lines and a nice form. Still getting used to paint on boxes. but I am going to try some blue milk paint on the lids of a two-part box I am making for my granddaughter.
The 52-box project is going great!

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Jolie Wang link
7/16/2015 03:30:07 pm

It's so nice. I want to have one like this.

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Brad-Scott Girod
8/14/2015 04:26:10 pm

Hello Matt, I confess, I am a fan. I am a woodturner and frustrated box maker. Thank you for the marker guage I built in hard maple (my favorite wood) It is a wonderful tool used constantly.

My little half car garage shop (400 sq ft) holds more tools than any very little shop should. No table saw - my Bosch T4100 gave out some time ago. I beat it to death. I don't miss the table saw one bit. The Rikon 10-325 Bandsaw does the bulk of the work. The drum sander is for segmented turning and boxes. It has taken years to assemble these tools while liveing on a disabilty at age 65.

I have been a woodworker all my life-litterally. I grew up in an old fashioned lumber yard in Westfield, Ma. Made my living as a Professional Air Traffic Controler. Two ARTCC's and 7 Terminal facilities. Never stopped building, never stopped woodworking.

My current issue is/are my shooting boards. Much cruder than yours but shimmed to an accurate to 44.8 ^. The frame miters are easy - it's the CASE mitres that are killing me. I get burn marks on the hard maple from the Compound Miter saw and when I shoot them with my Woodriver #4 or a block plane I get CHIP out and I have difficult time controling - hand holding the part. And I desperatly need to reach your level before I die.

I don't seem to grasp the need for the fence behind the poplar three layer 45^ block. I'm using it but I don;t get it. I have been using shooting boards for a long time now; built of Birch Ply, poplar, maple, bubinga, white oak, whatever is on hand.

I wish I could send a photo on your site. I am just putting this out on your blog with no expectations of a reply. Perhaps you may address this in some future article.
Thank you so much for your very clear and consise Mentoring.
Brad - The frustrated box maker.

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John
9/16/2015 09:42:25 am

You are entirely correct about the typical bandsaw box.... I never liked them but never took the time to figure out why! That is it exactly.

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Norman T. Keefer link
11/10/2015 11:09:54 pm

this really is a great formula. I would do it instantly with your bandsaw. hope you always create products like this.

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Coenraad (South Africa) link
11/16/2015 09:13:49 am

Hi Matt,

I've become acquainted with your work, and your opinions, via the Shop Talk Live podcast, and I've truly enjoyed every episode.

As far as this box is concerned... I love it! I believe it's a good representation of your style, and a well considered departure from your previous opinion towards the bandsaw box 'brotherhood'.

My personal opinion is that I'd much rather spend my time at the bandsaw making curves such as these...

Anyway, keep the good designs coming!

Regards,

Coenraad (pronounced like Conrad)
South Africa

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Tom Bradly link
8/11/2016 04:59:05 am

I really like this box! I think painting it on the sides is a great way to "break" the wooden color and to make it look trendy, too.

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

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