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by: David M. Freedman
Topics include: mitered inserts, laminated keys, carriage jig, miter joinery, brass jack chain, cut the carcase pieces, mating rabbets, slot hinges, precision hinges, groove for the bottom panel, lid blank, finger relief, continuous grain pattern, pivoting supports, swivel lid, integral lid, separating the lid, sunburst panel, lid panels, carcase front, felt disks, slab lid, adapt the dimensions, assemble the carcase, preliminary finish
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Primo primer --
I shouldn't admit it, but I judged this book by its cover. It seemed to me, from the three lovely boxes shown there, that the author had solid design chops and a good understanding of wood construction.
Fortunately, I wasn't disappointed. As a professional woodworker, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Freedman intelligently discusses everything from the precepts of design and the principles of wood movement to the mechanics of stock preparation.
There's quite a range of nice box projects here. Some are simple enough to make in just a few hours. Others, which incorporate veneering and intarsia, should provide a few day's fun in the shop. The author's use of figured and spalted hardwoods underscores the fact that making small boxes is the perfect opportunity to use those "scraps" of exotic wood you've been saving. Some of the boxes also feature cleverly designed latches and hinges.
A couple of quibbles: Although the drawings are very well done, a few of them contain small inaccuracies. (But then every woodworker who has built something from published plans has learned to double check them first.) Also, the information on calculating board feet on page 15 is woefully inaccurate.
But all in all, both beginning and advanced woodworkers should enjoy this book. Beginners will learn sound woodworking techniques without risking a week's salary worth of wood on a project. That alone should be worth the price of the book. More savvy woodworkers will find that the book is full of great tech tips and jigs as well as nice project designs.
The best of its kind! -- This is what I would expect from a book that used the word "basics" in it. I found it to be a great learning resource, as a beginner to creating boxes. Interesting designs, complete patterns, and cut-lists for each project.
The only problem with this book is that there are no pictures of the boxes in the process of being built. Beginners could use examples of the various stages. The only other pics, other than the completed boxes, are line drawings. That is the one thing that keeps me from giving it 5 stars.
All in all...a good book on box making.
Best basic box making book -- I started with no knowledge on making a jewelry box and this book taught me everything. A very well written book focussed on showing techniques on making many styles of boxes. Many how-to books waste many pages expalining how to use tools and explaining tools. Using this book I have made many boxes most of them given as gifts to family and friends, saving me money on buying other gifts for them.
Box-Making Basics
David M. Freedman
Design ideas, techniques, and projects from an expert box maker.
It took years for woodworker David Freedman to develop and perfect the box-making techniques he shares in this book. Accompanying his techniques are detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to make 16 handsome boxes. In addition to Freedman's designs, there are also selected projects from a number of professional box makers.
The book begins with the fundamentals of box making: the elements of good design, wood selection and preparation, and finishing. The basics are followed by tips and techniques on cutting, gluing, and reinforcing joints, decorating lids, and installing hinges.
In later chapters, you'll learn more sophisticated techniques, such as making spectacular bookmatched lid panels, sprucing up the interiors with lining, dividers, and trays, using frame-and-panel lid construction, dovetails, and finger joints, and dealing with specialty hardware.
Whether you're a beginning woodworker or an accomplished box maker searching for design ideas, you'll find this book comprehensive, easy to follow, and full of inspiration.
"valuable for its techniques, including a lengthy discussion of installing hinges and other hardware."
-- Arizona Republic
Reviews:
Box-Making Basics
David M. Freedman
Design ideas, techniques, and projects from an expert box maker.
Introduction
1 BASICS OF BOX MAKING
Elements of Good Design
Selecting Wood and Preparing Stock
Finishing
2 MITERED BOXES WITH ONE-PIECE LIDS
Techniques
Projects:
Box with a Slab Lid
Beveled Box with a Rabbeted Lid
Lever-Action Pen-and-Pencil Box
3 BOXES WITH DECORATIVE LIDS
Techniques
Projects:
Keeper Box with End Inserts
Two Keeper Boxes with Raised Lid Panels
Keeper Box with Two Tiers
4 BOXES WITH SLOT HINGES
Techniques
Projects:
His-and-Her Ring Boxes
Stationery Box
5 BOXES WITH PIN HINGES
Techniques
Projects:
Box with Two-Piece Swivel Lid
Box with Bookmatched Two-Piece Lid
Box with Blind Pin Hinges
6 BOXES WITH BUTT HINGES
Techniques
Projects:
Sunburst Jewelry Box
Box with Ball Feet
Classic Jewelry Box
Southwestern Box
Metric Equivalence Chart
Index
Box-Making Basics
David M. Freedman
Design ideas, techniques, and projects from an expert box maker.
The popularity of wooden boxes never seems to diminish. They combine the resplendence of nature with human craftsmanship and creative spirit. At the same time, wooden boxes are useful. In their simplest forms, they're relatively easy to construct, inexpensive to acquire, yet limitless in their variety.
I made my first hardwood box about 13 years ago. It was a modest little box of walnut, with surface-mounted butt hinges. I cut the finger joints by hand, and you could tell. But I sanded everything flush, finished the box with oil, and gave it to a cousin as a gift. She seemed thrilled with the box, and her reaction was worth every minute I spent making it.
After years of practice and experimenting with design, I now sell boxes at craft fairs and art galleries for prices ranging from $30 to $300. It's gratifying when people come into my booth at a fair and caress the boxes and say, "Boy, I wish I could do work like that." And I always answer, "You can; all it takes is patience."
This book is divided into six chapters. The opening chapter is an introduction to the fundamentals of box making. Subsequent chapters are in two parts: The first part explains some basic woodworking techniques; the second part is a group of projects that employ those techniques.
For the most part, the projects are presented in order of increasing complexity, from very simple boxes suitable for the beginner to more sophisticated pieces for experienced woodworkers. So start at the beginning, or wherever you feel comfortable, and you'll learn something new in each succeeding chapter.
With some power tools (such as a table saw, a router, and a variable-speed drill for starters) and a little patience, you can make most of the boxes shown in this book, even if you've never made anything like them before. With practice and an adventurous spirit, you can create original designs that are prized for their beauty, as well as for the storage function they serve. I believe that we all have, somewhere within us, the creative drive and design sense needed to produce fine crafts or art; it's just a matter of setting it free and having the patience to grow.
A word about safety
Like any other form of woodworking, box making requires strict attention to safety in the workshop. Every time you buy a new power tool, read the manual before you plug in the machine. Keep your shop uncluttered (as much as humanly possible), and sweep the floor often so that you won't slip. Wear eye and ear protection, and use a dust mask or respirator when necessary.
Use high-quality blades, bits, knives, and chisels, and keep them sharp so that you won't have to apply undue pressure to make them cut. Keep a supply of push sticks and featherboards handy for feeding wood into blades and bits. Stay alert to possible hazards at all times; don't work when tired, distracted, or under the influence of medication. If woodworking becomes tedious or aggravating, take a break or quit for the day.
Be ecologically sensitive
If you use rain-forest woods, such as mahogany and rosewood, please take some time to acquaint yourself with the ecological issues associated with harvesting such species. Some suppliers practice sustainable-yield forest management, others don't. A good source of information is The Good Wood Alliance (289 College St., Burlington, VT 05401; 802-862-4448) or the forestry department at your nearest university.