Looking for a unique woodworking project? In this guide, JKM Woodworking shows you how to create a stunning wooden gift box, perfect for holding a wine bottle opener or any other special gift.
Materials:
- Walnut wood (3 feet long, 9 inches wide)
- Wood glue
- CA glue
- Wax oil finish
Tools:
- Joiner
- Table saw
- Miter saw
- Bandsaw
- Planer
- Strap clamp
- Painter’s tape
- Sander
Step 1: Prepare the Wood
Start with a piece of walnut about three feet long and nine inches wide. First, straighten one edge using the joiner.
Step 2: Cut the Top and Bottom
On the table saw, cut a width that will be used for the top and bottom of the box. The top and bottom will have book face grain, so cut roughly half the length of the box. Then, cut it to rough length on the miter saw.
Step 3: Resaw the Wood
Using the bandsaw, resaw the piece down the middle. The bottom of the box and the lid will both be a quarter inch thick. After resawing, you should have two pieces each about 3/8 inch thick.
Step 4: Glue the Pieces Together
Glue the two pieces together to achieve the book match grain for the full width needed for the bottom piece and the lid. It’s essential to keep everything flat while the glue dries.
Step 5: Cut the Sides of the Box
Next, cut the sides of the box. The width should be the final height of the box plus the kerf of the saw blade. Reserve a little width for future cuts. Since the wood is 3/4 inches thick, plane it down to 1/2 inch thickness.
Step 6: Cut Pieces for Continuous Grain
To get continuous grain, cut each side piece in succession. For a rectangular box, alternate cutting long and short pieces. Use the miter saw for 90-degree cuts and the table saw set to 45 degrees for the angles.
Step 7: Create Dados for the Bottom and Lid
Using a dado stack on the table saw, cut the slots for both the bottom and the lid on all four pieces. This will prepare the box for assembly.
Step 8: Cut the Handle for the Lid
Now, cut the handle for the lid. Set the fence and use a crosscut sled for safety. Check your cuts to ensure everything aligns properly.
Step 9: Assemble the Box
Once the glue on the bottom piece is dry, plane it flat and cut it to the correct width and length. Sand the inside of all pieces before gluing the box together, using painter’s tape for cleanup.
Step 10: Prepare the Lid
Rough cut the lid piece into two, laminate them with perpendicular grain, and let it dry overnight. After removing the clamps, plane the lid to the right thickness and size.
Step 11: Attach the Handle
Use CA glue to attach the handle to the lid. Make sure to align it correctly and hold it until the glue dries. Add extra glue along the bottom edge for security.
Step 12: Finishing Touches
After sanding the entire box and lid to 220 grit, apply a wax oil finish. Let it dry for about an hour before buffing off the excess.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A beautiful wooden gift box that’s perfect for any occasion. Thanks to JKM Woodworking for sharing this fantastic project.