I had the opportunity to work with Diane Liddy to train several students this summer in the art of box making. I took ten teen girls and several adults through the process from designing, bandsawing the box, sawing out the inside, gluing up, constructing the lid, sanding, and finishing.

The students chose from two combinations of wood; redwood and lacewood or cherry and maple. We started by outlining the shape of the box onto the block. After cutting out the basic shape on the bandsaw, we cut off the bottom of the box. Next, we cut out the inside of the box on the bandsaw by cutting through the end grain. After removing the center, we glued up the side using clamps and Titebond glue.

The next day, we glued the bottom back on. We shaped the lid to roughly match the box bottom. Taking the waste previously cut from the center, we removed a thin slice to glue to the lid.

The third day was shaping the box on the sander. The top was fitted to the bottom and the whole piece was shaped to final shape on the 6" stationary belt sander.

The fourth day was used for final sanding with orbital palm sanders with 120 and 240 grit papers. The inside of the box was flocked. The first coat of finish was applied.

The final day was also finishing. After smoothing with 0000 steel wool, we applied an additional coat of General Finishes Polyurethane. On the morning of the sixth day, the boxes were displayed to other campers and taken home.