This project was built and designed by Billy from Newton Makes. It’s a sleek, modern keepsake box with a clean design and contrasting wood tones that make it both functional and visually striking.
Whether you use it for pencils, jewelry, or other small valuables, this box combines sharp joinery with fine materials to create something special. The build is accessible for intermediate woodworkers and rewarding for anyone looking to improve precision and finishing techniques.
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Selecting the Right Materials
Billy starts by choosing a combination of light and dark wood species to give the box contrast and character. The outer shell is made from sycamore, a light-colored hardwood with subtle grain, while the drawer is built from a darker species like walnut or chocolate ebony.
This contrast gives the finished box a high-end appearance while staying approachable from a materials standpoint. If you don’t have access to exotic woods, any stable hardwoods with complementary tones can be substituted.
When selecting stock, Billy emphasizes the importance of having a little extra material on hand. If something goes wrong, offcuts and small mistakes can often be turned into a second box or used for parts like drawer dividers or lids.
Constructing the Outer Shell
To form the outer shell, Billy cuts miter joints at each corner, creating a seamless wrap-around design. These angled joints give the box its clean edges and professional finish.
Because miters can be tricky to align, especially with narrow stock, Billy recommends building a simple jig from MDF and double-sided tape. This provides a safer and more stable surface for making repeatable cuts on the miter saw or table saw.
The parts are taped together dry first to test the alignment. Once everything checks out and the joints close properly, glue is applied, and the taped assembly is folded together into a perfect rectangle.
Ensuring Square Assembly
Keeping the shell square is critical to the success of the build. Billy checks each corner carefully before the glue sets and makes small adjustments as needed.
Painter’s tape holds the joints while the glue cures, which is often enough for small boxes like this one. Excess glue is wiped off immediately to avoid complications during finishing.
The end result is a shell with sharp lines and invisible joints, forming the foundation for a stylish box that can serve a variety of purposes.
Building the Drawer
With the shell complete, attention turns to the internal drawer. This part is cut to fit precisely inside the outer box, leaving just enough clearance to slide smoothly without being loose.
Billy opts for a darker wood species here, giving the drawer a strong contrast to the lighter exterior. A book-matched grain is used on the bottom panel, aligning the two halves of the board so the grain mirrors itself for a refined, symmetrical effect.
The drawer sides are cut and joined using clean butt joints or miters, depending on the desired look. Care is taken to dry-fit the drawer before glue-up to confirm everything sits evenly within the shell.
Installing the Handle
The final structural detail is the handle. Billy chooses a modern bar-style handle, typically made from brass or a similar material. Before securing it, the bottom is lightly scuffed with sandpaper to improve adhesion.
For installation, Billy uses epoxy or a strong adhesive rated for both metal and wood. Clamping the handle in place ensures it bonds well during curing, keeping it centered and square on the drawer front.
A bar handle is not only practical but complements the box’s modern aesthetic. It’s a small feature that makes a big impact on the final appearance.
Applying the Finish
Once assembly is complete and edges are chamfered or sanded smooth, the box is ready for finishing. Billy uses a lacquer finish for this project, which provides a soft matte sheen that lets the natural wood tones shine through.
The lacquer is applied in light coats with attention to even coverage. This finish choice is ideal for modern designs, giving the piece a refined, professional feel without the glossiness of polyurethane.
After the finish dries, the drawer is inserted, and the fit is tested. A smooth slide, crisp lines, and a refined surface mark the completion of the project.
A Personal and Practical Project
This keepsake box is a great project for anyone wanting to build something beautiful, useful, and customizable. The form is simple, but the choice of wood, the clean joinery, and thoughtful finishing elevate it beyond a basic container.
Billy encourages experimentation—swap out woods, try different handle styles, or add interior dividers to tailor the box to your specific needs. It’s a versatile format that can be adjusted for any style, from rustic to ultra-modern.
Please support Billy by visiting his website here: https://www.newtonmakes.com/shop.