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jimcrockett · 04-09-2008, 11:02 PM

I would like to make a guitar-shaped valet/jewelry box for my grandson for his high school graduation. He is an avid guitar player and I thought this would be a very suitable gift.

I have idea of how to do this but I wanted to run my ideas by others on the forum to see if my thoughts are reasonable of if there is a better way.

It will be shaped as in the attached image, I'm thinking about 8" long and whatever width is proportional. Probably make it out of figured maple about 2-1/2" thick.

What I was thinking as the easiest way to do this is to make a template of the interior dimensions (3/8" wall thickness). Then cobble together an overarm pin device allow me to move the stock to follow the template attached to the stock. Using a 1/2" straight bit, I would think that this would hollow out the interior of the box quite nicely, taking 1/8" to 1/4" passes. I have a router book showing sketchy plans for the overarm pin routing device, so should be able to make that.

Then, once I got the inside hollowed out, I can cut the outside, cut off the front where I would build and insert a drawer and cut a top to fit.

Sounds like a lot of details when written out but I cannot think of any other good method of doing it. I thought of using a pattern bit, but I'd have to make a very thick template to keep the bearing in contact with the template - my pattern bit (top bearing) is nearly 2" long. It would be easier to see what I'm doing this way, though.

So, what does everyone think of this? Any other thoughts/ideas or reasons why what I'm thinking won't work?

Jim

**challagan** · 04-09-2008, 11:32 PM

Jim, sounds like a perfect job for the router skis and using templates for the inside and outside of the shape. There is a lot of information on making the skis and using them for projects like this in the template forum here.

Corey

**bobj3** · 04-09-2008, 11:45 PM

Hi Jim

Just my 2 cents

Sounds like a neat project

, I think I would band saw the lid off 1st from the same blank block so the wood will match but then I think I would use a ski jig setup and not a pin router setup plus you will need to get a extra long bit to hog out the pocket ,it will need to be a 2 1/2" long bit or longer..and with a brass guide it will be easy.

The ski jig is a easy one to make if you want to see a snapshot or two just ask and I will post one or two...

Looks like Corey is a bit quicker than I with his fingers

but we both think the ski way would be the best for this project

==========

template tom · 04-10-2008, 02:55 AM

Jim
This is a typical project for the use of the template guides where this achieved with greater safety.
(1) Determine the size of box you wish to make
(2) Select the cutter you will use. (A Dish / Bowl cutter will leave a radius in the corners)
(3) What template guides can I use (Guide Bushes)
(4) Once you have setout the answers to the above you can now produce a template which will be the same shape as the final box but only larger. How much larger this cut out will be is determined by the Guide and cutter you will use to rout the internal surface of the box.
(5) Secure your timber to be used for the box to a Jig (Flat piece of MDF or Plywood)
(6) At each corner of the jig secure a 60mm x 40mm x box material thickness which will act as supports for the template.
(7) Fix the template to the four corner blocks (The jig should be secured to the bench)
(8) Rout the internal surface and it is important to use a set of skis for this step.
(9) Insert a plug into the recessed box the rout the external edge of the box with a combination of Template guide and cutter to give you the thickness of the box sides. (The 'Plug' should be a neat fit and can be cut with the router using the original template with the proper guide and cutter combination) do not rout all the way through leave 2-3mm for trimming.

(10) The same procedure is used to rout the lid and it may be necessary to produce a second template for this step (It's the way I normally do this step)
(11) Rebate on the underside of the lid can also be added before routing the external edge, (A second plug is required for this step)
(12) Rout the external edge again leaving material for trimming
(13) Add a beading edge to the top of the lid and maybe roundover the base of the box.

It is important that some knowledge as to how the guides are used before attempting such projects.
Tom

template tom · 04-10-2008, 03:11 AM

Pics required for my last posting

fibertech · 04-10-2008, 06:39 AM

Jim, You got replies from the best here. Tom O'Donnell has a reputation of being a great teacher and innovator. Bob will always find the information that you need and post either pictures or links to support and Corey has vast experience as well. Please keep us posted with your progress and good luck. Your project looks very interesting. -Derek

duckarrowtypes · 04-10-2008, 09:12 AM

Wow... all this template stuff. I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to just make it like a real guitar by bending the walls and then attaching a bottom and a top!

It sounds like a really cool project. I might steal the idea for my guitar-playing brother in law but I think I'll use my CNC instead. Teehee!

edit: for what MY opinion is worth, I would probably approach this like I would a bandsaw box. I'd shape the blank free-hand on the bandsaw, slice off the top, and hog out the middle with a good 'old bowl-making chisel/scraper. What fun!

Julie · 04-10-2008, 09:37 AM

Make it like a bandsaw box.

Shape the blank on the bandsaw.
Saw off the top AND bottom.
Make an inside piece by cutting into the inner piece and going around the shape the wall thickness that you want the box to be.
The left over piece can have a piece sliced off the top of it, which is glued on the inside of the lid to make it fit nicely.
Drill hole in the top for guitar hole, either before or after gluing on the inside piece.
Glue back the cut you made to get inside.
Glue the bottom back on.

Much, much easier this way.
~Julie~

**bobj3** · 04-10-2008, 09:58 AM

Hi Jim

I'm sure you will get it done

===========

duckarrowtypes · 04-10-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie

Make it like a bandsaw box.
...
Much, much easier this way.
~Julie~

Julie has the answer...

04-09-2008, 11:02 PM	#1
jimcrockett Registered User Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Jay, Maine, U.S. Posts: 26 View jimcrockett's Gallery	Report This Post! Guitar Shaped Box I would like to make a guitar-shaped valet/jewelry box for my grandson for his high school graduation. He is an avid guitar player and I thought this would be a very suitable gift. I have idea of how to do this but I wanted to run my ideas by others on the forum to see if my thoughts are reasonable of if there is a better way. It will be shaped as in the attached image, I'm thinking about 8" long and whatever width is proportional. Probably make it out of figured maple about 2-1/2" thick. What I was thinking as the easiest way to do this is to make a template of the interior dimensions (3/8" wall thickness). Then cobble together an overarm pin device allow me to move the stock to follow the template attached to the stock. Using a 1/2" straight bit, I would think that this would hollow out the interior of the box quite nicely, taking 1/8" to 1/4" passes. I have a router book showing sketchy plans for the overarm pin routing device, so should be able to make that. Then, once I got the inside hollowed out, I can cut the outside, cut off the front where I would build and insert a drawer and cut a top to fit. Sounds like a lot of details when written out but I cannot think of any other good method of doing it. I thought of using a pattern bit, but I'd have to make a very thick template to keep the bearing in contact with the template - my pattern bit (top bearing) is nearly 2" long. It would be easier to see what I'm doing this way, though. So, what does everyone think of this? Any other thoughts/ideas or reasons why what I'm thinking won't work? Jim Attached Thumbnails
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04-09-2008, 11:32 PM	#2
challagan Retired Moderator Supreme Forum King Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,002 View challagan's Gallery	Report This Post! Jim, sounds like a perfect job for the router skis and using templates for the inside and outside of the shape. There is a lot of information on making the skis and using them for projects like this in the template forum here. Corey __________________ My Carving Website: The Iowa Woodcarver http://iowacarver.tripod.com/ My Shop Website - Woodshop 51503 http://woodshop51503.tripod.com/
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04-09-2008, 11:45 PM	#3
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,242 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Jim Just my 2 cents Sounds like a neat project , I think I would band saw the lid off 1st from the same blank block so the wood will match but then I think I would use a ski jig setup and not a pin router setup plus you will need to get a extra long bit to hog out the pocket ,it will need to be a 2 1/2" long bit or longer..and with a brass guide it will be easy. The ski jig is a easy one to make if you want to see a snapshot or two just ask and I will post one or two... Looks like Corey is a bit quicker than I with his fingers but we both think the ski way would be the best for this project ========== __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J. Last edited by bobj3; 04-09-2008 at 11:53 PM.
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04-10-2008, 02:55 AM	#4
template tom Registered User Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 536 View template tom's Gallery	Report This Post! Guitar Shaped Boxes Jim This is a typical project for the use of the template guides where this achieved with greater safety. (1) Determine the size of box you wish to make (2) Select the cutter you will use. (A Dish / Bowl cutter will leave a radius in the corners) (3) What template guides can I use (Guide Bushes) (4) Once you have setout the answers to the above you can now produce a template which will be the same shape as the final box but only larger. How much larger this cut out will be is determined by the Guide and cutter you will use to rout the internal surface of the box. (5) Secure your timber to be used for the box to a Jig (Flat piece of MDF or Plywood) (6) At each corner of the jig secure a 60mm x 40mm x box material thickness which will act as supports for the template. (7) Fix the template to the four corner blocks (The jig should be secured to the bench) (8) Rout the internal surface and it is important to use a set of skis for this step. (9) Insert a plug into the recessed box the rout the external edge of the box with a combination of Template guide and cutter to give you the thickness of the box sides. (The 'Plug' should be a neat fit and can be cut with the router using the original template with the proper guide and cutter combination) do not rout all the way through leave 2-3mm for trimming. (10) The same procedure is used to rout the lid and it may be necessary to produce a second template for this step (It's the way I normally do this step) (11) Rebate on the underside of the lid can also be added before routing the external edge, (A second plug is required for this step) (12) Rout the external edge again leaving material for trimming (13) Add a beading edge to the top of the lid and maybe roundover the base of the box. It is important that some knowledge as to how the guides are used before attempting such projects. Tom
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04-10-2008, 03:11 AM	#5
template tom Registered User Forum King Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 536 View template tom's Gallery	Report This Post! Guitar shaped boxes Pics required for my last posting Attached Thumbnails
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04-10-2008, 06:39 AM	#6
fibertech Registered User Forum Geek Join Date: May 2005 Location: Everett, WA USA Posts: 334 View fibertech's Gallery	Report This Post! Jim, You got replies from the best here. Tom O'Donnell has a reputation of being a great teacher and innovator. Bob will always find the information that you need and post either pictures or links to support and Corey has vast experience as well. Please keep us posted with your progress and good luck. Your project looks very interesting. -Derek
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04-10-2008, 09:12 AM	#7
duckarrowtypes Registered User Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 54 View duckarrowtypes's Gallery	Report This Post! Wow... all this template stuff. I wonder if it wouldn't be easier to just make it like a real guitar by bending the walls and then attaching a bottom and a top! It sounds like a really cool project. I might steal the idea for my guitar-playing brother in law but I think I'll use my CNC instead. Teehee! edit: for what MY opinion is worth, I would probably approach this like I would a bandsaw box. I'd shape the blank free-hand on the bandsaw, slice off the top, and hog out the middle with a good 'old bowl-making chisel/scraper. What fun! __________________ Modern Daguerreotypes: original pieces or custom made from your images. shinyphotos.com Last edited by duckarrowtypes; 04-10-2008 at 09:15 AM.
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04-10-2008, 09:37 AM	#8
Julie Registered User Forum Geek Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 230 View Julie's Gallery	Report This Post! Make it like a bandsaw box. Shape the blank on the bandsaw. Saw off the top AND bottom. Make an inside piece by cutting into the inner piece and going around the shape the wall thickness that you want the box to be. The left over piece can have a piece sliced off the top of it, which is glued on the inside of the lid to make it fit nicely. Drill hole in the top for guitar hole, either before or after gluing on the inside piece. Glue back the cut you made to get inside. Glue the bottom back on. Much, much easier this way. ~Julie~ Last edited by Julie; 04-10-2008 at 09:48 AM.
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04-10-2008, 09:58 AM	#9
bobj3 Forum Contributer Supreme Forum King Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Littleton,Colorado U.S.A. Posts: 8,242 View bobj3's Gallery	Report This Post! Hi Jim I'm sure you will get it done =========== __________________ PodCast videos RWS on YouTube http://www.routerforums.com/86898-post1.html Besure and click on the Up Arrow key ▲ on the Youtube video, you can select other youtube videos on router tables http://www.woodworkingonline.com/?s=dovetail Machine Cut ▼ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/200...cut-dovetails/ http://www.woodworkingonline.com/woo...podcast-store/ http://www.woodshopdemos.com/menu2.htm Bob J. Last edited by bobj3; 04-10-2008 at 02:06 PM.
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