This project was built and designed by Alex from Bevelish Creations. It’s a sleek, curved tissue box made with bent lamination and precision joinery, offering a creative challenge for advanced woodworkers and a striking result for any room.
Combining walnut, white oak, and laminated veneer, this build stands out for its elegant curves and clean joinery. The magnetic bottom panel and removable lid add a modern, functional twist to an everyday item.
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A Creative Take on a Common Household Item
This tissue box build was part of the #RocklerBentWoodChallenge and gave Alex a chance to explore new woodworking techniques. The bent lamination corners define the shape and elevate the look far beyond a basic box.
Instead of building from standard square parts, Alex curved the corners using thin veneer strips soaked and laminated in forms. The result is a piece that’s both functional and sculptural.
Choosing the Right Materials
The build features walnut for the straight sections and lighter wood veneer for the curved laminated corners. These materials contrast beautifully while still complementing one another in tone and texture.
White oak was chosen for the top and bottom panels to finish off the project with a crisp, clean look. The lighter wood helps highlight the darker walnut and gives the box a refined finish.
Building the Bending Forms
Bent lamination starts with making a form to shape the veneer into a consistent curve. Alex built a master template out of ¼-inch material, then stacked and glued MDF layers to create a sturdy bending form.
Each layer was cut with a bandsaw and trimmed flush to the template. The finished form included packing tape along the curve to keep glue from sticking and to block moisture during the bending process.
Pre-Bending the Veneers
After soaking the veneer strips in water, Alex pressed them into the forms to pre-bend them before gluing. This step helped reduce stress and spring-back during lamination.
Once dry, the veneers were glued together inside the form. With careful alignment and clamping, the laminated corners cured into strong, stable shapes that held their curve permanently.
Joinery and Edge Cleanup
With the laminated corners cured, it was time to cut them to size and prep them for joinery. Custom jigs held the curved pieces steady while trimming the ends and routing tongue-and-groove slots.
The straight walnut sections were milled and cut to match the dimensions of the curved parts. Tenons were then cut into the walnut pieces to fit snugly into the laminated grooves, forming tight, seamless joints.
Assembling the Box
Once all the parts were cut and dry-fit, the box was glued together. Some minor alignment issues on the top and bottom edges required flattening.
Alex built a quick router sled using scrap MDF to level both ends. After surfacing, small gaps were filled with a mix of sawdust and glue to keep the surface clean and smooth.
Top and Bottom Panels
The top panel was made from white oak and cut to fit perfectly inside the box’s top opening. A large oval was cut out for tissue access using overlapping holes and a jigsaw.
To keep the panel flat, oak battens were attached underneath. These support pieces add structure and prevent any future warping.
Magnetic Bottom Panel
The bottom panel was made slightly smaller than the interior opening so it could be removed easily. Magnets were embedded into mortises routed into both the panel and the inside of the box.
Small internal shelves held opposing magnetic buttons, keeping the panel secure but removable. This magnetic setup allows for tool-free access while maintaining a clean exterior.
Final Assembly and Finish
With all parts ready, the shelves were glued inside the box to hold the bottom panel magnets in place. Spacers were used to keep everything centered and level during the glue-up.
After a final round of sanding and cleanup, the box was finished with a clear protective coat to highlight the grain and sheen of the walnut and oak.
What Makes This Project Special
This build stands out for its creative use of bent lamination. The curves are crisp and smooth, and the tongue-and-groove joinery blends seamlessly with the flowing design.
It’s a great example of how even a small project can offer a serious woodworking challenge and opportunity for growth. From forming and gluing curves to working with jigs and templates, every step adds to the learning experience.
A Challenge Worth Taking On
Alex designed this project to push his skills and step outside of his usual workflow. For woodworkers looking to try something new, this tissue box offers a unique mix of joinery, shaping, and fine detail work.
Even without CNC machines or complex shop setups, the project can be adapted using jigs, careful planning, and patience. It’s a strong reminder that creativity and problem-solving are some of the most valuable tools in the shop.
Learn more about this project here: https://www.bevelishcreations.com/projects/tissue-box/.