HOW TO MAKE A JEWELLERY BOX

Today we live in a society that is all about now and buying furniture that is cheap and basically crap as it will not last. Sadly for our children they are growing up in an era where everything is made cheap to be replaced. I try to tell and advise my children to save the money and spend it wisely on quality solid wood furniture.

How To Make a Solid Wood Jewellery Box

 First of all you will need to have a basic plan or at least an idea and create your masterpiece on the fly. I have opted for using recycled Rimu that was once sarking on a Villa from the year 1950. This timber was 250mm wide so we put it through a plane to dress the timber to a size of 200mm wide and 20mm thick.

Once you have your dressed timber at 90mm wide 20mm thick we can start to create

First lets cut the sides to a length of 265mm x 90mm wide with ends cut on a 45 degree angle .

Then cut the ends to 160mm in length with both ends on a 45 degree angle

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I have not illustrated it here but I will make a point of doing this next time to show you. It is quite easy really, 

STEPS FOR SIDES & ENDS

1. Lay out your sides and ends with the 45 degree angles facing down so you have your box laid out end to end. 
2. Now I want you to tape the ends of each piece to the next adjoining piece.
3. Once that is done then carefully turn on its side. 
4. Now apply a small amount of PVA glue to each of the right angles so they are covered from top to bottom.
5. Now join your corners together and you will notice how the tape is holding your box together then check it is all square with your square.
6. Use a wet rag to wipe away excess glue from internal corners
7. Once this is done leave for about 2 hours before starting next step.

STEPS FOR TOP AND BOTTOM

So your box is taking shape with all sides glued together and square. Great now we take the two pieces for the top and bottom to join to our box.

1. Take 2 pieces of your timber that is 90mm wide by say 270mm in length and glue down one edge of the timber.
2. Clamp these 2 pieces together making sure that they are even and flat and let these dry over night
3. Repeat step 2 for top of your box this can be done in advance.
4. Once your pieces are dry run glue PVA around the bottom edge of the box then squeeze together ensuring that the base is wider than your sides in length and width
5. Now repeat this process straight away for the top of the box and clamp together so that you have a completed box clamped tightly together.
6. Leave to dry overnight clamped very tightly using 4 clamps

MAKING YOUR TOP

Lid

1. Measure 30 to 40mm down from the top and place a line around the box here
2. Now with a tablesaw if you have one or with a handsaw carefully cut this piece off as this will be your top / lid.
3. Once this is done you may wish to use a plane to shave the timber down on the bottom of box then sand all your box until it is very smooth.
4.  You may choose to use a router to make a nice shape on the lid
5. Great now our lid is ready mark 25mm in from each side on the box and on the lid for where your hinges will be placed.
6. Now very carefully draw around the hinges both on the box and the lid and very carefully chisel this out so your hinges are countersunk.
7. Now take a fine drill and partially pre-drill where screws will go!
8. Once you have your hinges on your jewellery box you can finish final sanding and then coat with oil or alternative to protect and beautify your creation.

OILING YOUR JEWELLERY BOX

Hinged and oiled

I highly recommend using Danish oil as it gives a very distinctive look to your finished project. You can buty Danish oil from all good outlets that deal with paint and timber products.

1. Step one make sure your project is free of dust
2. Use a cotton cloth and gently wipe all over your bare timber.
3. Leave to dry overnight then lightly sand with a 600 grit
4. After sanding repeat the process until you have 6 to 10 layers depending on the depth of field you desire

Materials & Tools

Looking Front on Beautiful Gloss

1. Timber 90mm wide as a minimum, however you may find wider pieces at your local timber yard for the top and bottom parts
2. PVA Glue
3. Masking tape
4. Ruler or tape measure
5. Table saw or handsaw with a good eye!
6. A pair of small hinges
7. 180 grit sandpaper & 400 grit to finish
8. Sharp knife remove some dry glue
9. Screwdriver
10. 4 x G clamps
11. Danish Oil

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. Always use a fresh clean cotton cloth for oiling
2. You will most likely only have to sand the first 2 or 3 coats to obtain a smooth finish
3. Always use a microfiber cloth for dusting
4. After glue all corners wipe with a wet cloth
5. Have all tools ready in advance
6. Always leave overnight before apply next coat of oil

Have Fun and enjoy!