[Bstrom]

...I made it anyway. A kitchen table hutch for a coworker whose wife sketched out the details. Went through the final details with the husband and the rest is history. Muffed the long ‘wall’ by forgetting the layout of the middle portion, etc. Was glad to see I could make dados on both sides of a 1/4” piece of Maple without compromising the material. Used clear Titebond glue which was a big help. A freebie job that I completed in less than a week with about 18 hours into it.

Another good learning experience on how-to and how-not-to make a box. The practice will be useful for a copycat project - a tea box.

 

[Bstrom]

Thats really nice Brian ,I’m really liking the radiuses . Thanks for sharing

The ‘customer’ was especially taken by them but to me they were a design nuisance. Here’s why - anything off a 90-degree cut widens that mitered surface’s width, so each of those 45-degree radius cuts added half again as much material to mate up as a simple square corner would have. Lining up the interior surfaces left a good 1/16” of material sticking past the joint - I just crudely shaved it off with a chisel and rounded them off with 80 grit until I could go to a lower grade of sandpaper. With all the other warts to try and conceal, this was the worst one. Thankfully, they will love this freebie and never complain but I’m wondering how to do it correctly - if there is a way. The upcoming Tea Box Won’t have any radius corners!

 

[Bstrom]

I like the radiuses look rather than a boxy square look. To eliminate the one angle longer than the other on the corners ,you will have to bisect the angle.
Herb

Can you offer a more detailed explanation, Herb? I think I understand but seriously doubt it! More pieces and smaller angles? (A drawing would be helpful...)

 

[Bstrom]

You are all much smarter than I am - but no more! I have the mathematical solution and will use it on the next piece! Thanks Herb and Chris... please promise me you will reveal my ineptitudes every time you see them.

Many thanks for all the encouragement after such a klutzy start. The 1/4" material wasn't as tough to deal with Steve since it was very sturdy Maple. Another 'improvement' I'll be making is to 'mic' the stock coming out of the planer and fitting it into a test dado for the best fit. This can only get better, right? Hello? Ha!

 

[Bstrom]

Brian,

We all tend to be critical of our projects, but lets face it, it is very nice and practical and a gift. It sure beats my table piece that only holds napkins and the S&P shakers !
I do like that mine has a handle, did you consider that as a feature ?

Dan

Yes, it was a good learning experience and I can't ask anything for what is essentially a prototype for gaining skills. I really prefer to gift what I make as most of my friends are looking for or likely to spend what these things are worth. Cuts out a lot of expectations and complication in doing this well.

For a handle, since it wasn't going to go anywhere we didn't want a handle sticking up in the way of all the cubbies. And it's a bit hefty so two hands are needed to move it with all its contents still loaded in it. A smaller, simpler version could certainly use a handle. Good thought...