Birthday Gift Sewing Box

I hand made a sewing box for my wife´s aniversary with poplar, ebony and some brass hinges and screws.

I hope you enjoy it.

Step 1: Milling and Preparing the Stock List

A poplar log from a fallen tree and a cut list. Size the pieces with a Stanley #4 and a ryoba japanese saw to rip and crosscut

Step 2: Dovetails Layout and Shooting Board

Dovetails first, guys!

Square the edges at the shooting board with a Stanley #5 jackplane

Step 3: Plane Plowing the Grooves

Grooving with a Stanley #50 rabbet plane. Help you with a bar clamp to keep safe

Step 4: Hand Routing the Bottom

Routing the grooves for the bottom with a Record #71 router hand plane. Install a 4mm blade. Use a hand made jig sole for stability.

Step 5: Rabbeting the Top

Make the top recess with a Stanley #78

Step 6: Fitting and Smoothing the Top

Use a Stanley #9 1/2 block plane to fit and smooth the top surface

Step 7: Gauge Marking

Marking the cutting line with a Veritas marking gauge

Step 8: Gluing Up

Assemble the set. Clamp it all the night.

Step 9: Cutting the Lid

After dry, separate the lid from the body with a dozuki japanese saw

Step 10: Chiseling the Hinges

Adding the hinges for the lid. Making the recess with a sharp chisel

Step 11: Fitting the Hinges

Hand routing with a Stanley #271 small hand router plane

Step 12: Spokeshaving the Feet

Shaping the feet with a Veritas flat sole spokeshave

Step 13: Adding Some Ebony Knobs

Shaping with the rasp and the files

Step 14: Final Assembly

At least, all the pieces together

Comments

[d1moonvalleymama]

HI Luis, Great job. Really beautiful work. the only thing is, I don't see any instruction as to how you made the oval hinge(?) pieces. i.e. those ovals that hold it all together.

[LuisJ37]

Hi, there are no plans nor instructions. Only method, hand free shaping using a rasp and a metal file.

[thomcomstock]

Yes Luis, I do believe that was d1moonvalleymama's point: You provided no instruction regarding the ovals.

[chuckstake]

not for me great job i do love seeing the old ways at work

[grangerknives]

That is an exceptional box! Your project turned out very nicely! You are a many of great skills, confident experience and fabulous tools! Thank you for sharing. - Paul

[MatMan]

Well done and thank you for showing me how to restore the same design box that my great grandfather made for my mom. A point of information, my sewing box has 3 tiers, so whomever does try your project should know they can add as many levels as they might need.

[NEW PEW]

Great Instructable! Congrats with being a finalist in the Hand tools only challenge!

[Nikita Maree]

Very nice build. Great Instructable.

[bighaich47]

That is really a nice piece of work. Thanks for sharing this.

[LuisJ37]

Thanks

[LuisJ37]

This is awesome too. I love It.

[sujitnair.india]

Hi, This is really impressive to me. I loved how neat and smooth it is. I was wondering if you have a project plan to share. I would love to try to make it this.

[LuisJ37]

Sorry, there is only a draft hand drawn in a booknote. I will remember my shelf to upload a picture.

[seamster]

Very impressive work, nicely done!

[LuisJ37]

A pleasure seamster

[Penolopy Bulnick]

This is a great design :)

[LuisJ37]

Thanks Penelopy