Secret Heart Box

Hello!  Thank you for viewing my instructable.  Please let me know what you think of my project and vote for it in the Valentine's Day Contest if you like it!

I came up with the idea for this box when I was brainstorming ways to propose to my girlfriend.  I wanted to find a way to symbolize "giving my heart to her" and I needed a nice box for the ring, so this heart shaped ring box seemed like the perfect idea. 

There are plenty of heart shaped boxes out there, but this is the only one that has a secret way to open it, making it a puzzle box as well.  It has plenty of room for a ring or any other small gift.  Pictures of the finished box and a video showing how to open it are below:

And by the way....she said yes!  Check out the proposal video here and the background story here.

Step 1: Equipment and materials

You will need the following tools:

• Scroll saw
• Drill press
• Belt sander
• Scissors and/or Box Cutter

You can pull it off with a jig saw, hand drill, and sand paper, but it will take a lot more work.  I would also recommend planing the wood to make sure it is flat before starting, but if you get good non-warped stock you won't need a planer.


The shopping list for this project is pretty short:

• 0.5"x4" hardwood (I used Padauk), approx. 2' long
• 1/4" Dowel pin, 2" long
• Wood Glue
• Sand Paper (120-200 grit)
• Varnish

Optional supplies for the ring cushion:

• Super Glue
• Velvet
• 1/8" thick foam

Comments

[Ballooner]

Wow, this looks really great. It would look cool if you used red and purple heart woods to make it as well because of the wood's natural coloring.

[emilyvanleemput]

wow, a total of 10000 views.......

[dmedlock]

I was just wondering where you bought your wood from? Thanks!

[LMO]

I got the padauk from our local WoodCraft store. WoodCraft is in a lot of major cities, but even if you don't have one there should be some other store. You can also order online, but I prefer to see the wood before I buy it.

[desertsniper]

I'm going to have to make this! great project, my girlfrind will love it!

[sabu.dawdy]

a beautiful gift our men make for us ;) simply beautiful

[lukev2]

its a movie lol

[zatan]

ur not listed in the contest

[LMO]

There was a short delay in getting it into the contest, but it's there now. Thanks!

[gproulx]

Great project!

[bobbieiler]

Fabulous job!!!!!!

[Lindie]

Very nice!

[woodmagnet]

Very nice box, and congratulations to you both
on your engagement.

[Harry Smith]

H.Smith, UK.
Well thought out and nicely made, no wonder she said YES !

[isetmyselfonfirefollowinginstructables]

Hey there, this is amazing, I'd definitely like to make one of my own, awesome Instructable! And congratulations on a successful proposal. You've got my vote.

[scoochmaroo]

Gorgeous!