How to Make Hexagonal Boxes
Clark Kellogg shows you how to dig out your attractive scraps and have some small-scale box fun.
Synopsis: Each of these sweet little hexagonal boxes starts as a strip of solid wood, which becomes the sides. Once that is mitered, rabbeted, and joined, the hexagonal veneered top and bottom panels are set into the rabbets and the box is cut apart to separate the lid. Add a parquetry liner, made from a complementary wood, and more distinctive details, and you have a functional piece of art.
A few summers ago I was given two small pieces of incredible curly maple. I knew they would be perfect for small boxes, but I couldn’t figure out what kind of boxes they wanted to be. I didn’t relish the thought of trying to saw tiny dovetails into such ornery wood, and plain old square mitered boxes felt like a missed opportunity.
Inspiration struck when a yogurt container fell off a shelf in my shop, spilling its cargo: What…
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Comments
Here is my attempt at this project. I am not a very good hand tool woodworker so I approached the project with the intent of using mostly power tools. I made a 60-degree sled for cutting the miters. The body is birdseye maple but the top and bottom veneers are quilted maple. I tried several spalted maple tops but they didn't look elegant enough for the box. The banding, inside top and bottom are teak veneers and the body liner is also teak. I made the box significantly taller than the plan. I used 1-1/2 and 2 pound cut shellac for the finish.
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