Introduction: How to Make a Pencil Box
If you're like me, you pretty much keep any usable scrap of hardwood that you have for that mythical time when "you might need it." Well, follow along to see how I actually did need it! Below I created this beautiful pencil box that I made out of a relatively small amount of scrap wood.
Being able to take beautiful scraps of otherwise unusable woods and make something special from them is so rewarding. This pencil box was very much appreciated by its new owner. Score one for the woodworker!
• Make sure to watch my accompanying YouTube video of this build!
Where to Follow along with my work:
My Website (full tutorials, plans, videos): https://www.mwawoodworks.com
My YouTube (all my build videos): https://www.mwawoodworks.com
My Instagram (behind the scenes stuff): https://www.mwawoodworks.com
My Pinterest (things I find inspirational) : https://www.mwawoodworks.com
Supplies
Here are the tools I used specifically on this build (affiliate links):
Step 1: Milling the Box Sides
I began here by taking my curly maple scrap and marking a line with my marking gauge to cut the piece in half. Over at the band saw, I set my fence the proper distance over and made sure my magnetic feather board was tight to the work piece. I then resawed the work piece in half. I then took it to the drum sander to clean up any bandsaw marks and to get it to its final thickness. I went for a thickness of 3/8″ for this pencil box
Step 2: Cutting the Grooves for the Top and Bottom
Next I set my table saw blade 3/16″ high and 1/4″ from the fence. The blade is a standard 1/8″ kerf blade. I cut the grooves in the top and bottom of the sides. You can see the final result here.
Step 3: Cutting the Miters
I then set my table saw blade to 90 degrees using THIS DIGITAL ANGLE GAUGE. Using my miter fence, I began cutting the miters for the box sides. When I cut the short end pieces, I used a pencil to hold my work to keep my hands away from the blade. A quick dry fit showed me that the miters I cut were good. No gaps!
Step 4: Cutting the Bottom Panel
For the bottom of the pencil box I used walnut. I first cut it to width based on the inside dimensions of the box and grooves. I then cut a shallow rabbet around all four sides. These rabbets will fit into the groove at the bottom of the pencil box. Finally, I cut the short end of the box off to allow the spot for the lid to slide in the groove at the end of the process.
Step 5: Assembling the Pencil Box
I lined up my parts on top of some blue tape. I then applied some glue to the joints. Finally I added the bottom to the bottom groove and began rolling it up. I rolled it up with ease. The jig I made helps make sure everything is lined up as it should. Now I checked to make sure the joints were all tight and I set it aside to dry.
Step 6: Making the Lid of the Pencil Box
For the lid of the box I used a piece of figured walnut. I scribed a line in order to resaw it. Over at the band saw, I set my fence the proper distance over and made sure my magnetic feather board was tight to the work piece. I then resawed the work piece in two. I then took it to the drum sander to clean up any bandsaw marks and to get it to its final thickness. And then took it to the table saw to cut it to final width.
Step 7: Making the Lid Part II
I set my router table up to cut the rabbets for the top. I set my bit height to the point where it would leave 1/8″ of material (finessed to fit in the groove in the top of the box). And I set my fence to 3/16″ from the front edge of the bit. This would cut away just enough so the box slides nicely in between the two sides of the box. I ran my top across the bit to create the rabbets for the lid of the pencil box. To prevent tearout, I used a backer board for the end grain cuts.
Step 8: Making the Lid Part III
I then glued on a mitered key with CA glue. This would fill the void where the lid will slide into the open end of the box and lock it in position. Once I slid the lid into the grooves I sanded the key flush with the side of the box.
Step 9: Finishing the Pencil Box
After I sanded using 120,180 and 220 grit paper, I applied an oil/wax finish called Tried & True. I love the raw wood feel it gives and the silky smoothness of the wax is great to the touch. Once I finished the inside and outside of the box I made sure to get the lid too. And here’s the lid sliding home into the top of the box. I just filled this box with my favorite writing pencils. There’s plenty of room for erasers and sharpeners too! Well that closes the lid on this pencil box project! A great use of scrap wood if I say so myself.
Step 10: THANK YOU!!
If you enjoyed this tutorial and found it helpful, you can see more of my work in the following places:
My Website (full tutorials, plans, videos): https://www.mwawoodworks.com
My YouTube (all my build videos): https://www.youtube.com/c/mwawoodworks
My Instagram (behind the scenes stuff): https://www.youtube.com/c/mwawoodworks
My Pinterest (things I find inspirational): https://www.youtube.com/c/mwawoodworks
