Candle Box
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa4ujx_s49w
So I made a box for my wife a while back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAxjZ1z3Pzo and everyone kept asking how I made it so I thought I would make a second one slightly different and show what all went into making this small dovetailed Candle Box.
Tools needed
Back saw: http://amzn.to/2hPLb0f
Dovetail saw: http://amzn.to/2hPUmhq
Fret Saw: http://amzn.to/2hyh52l
Carving V-tool: http://amzn.to/2gN30j0
Carving Mallet: http://amzn.to/2hvCtrz
C-Clamps: http://amzn.to/2gCKJ4v
Marker: http://amzn.to/2hvCEmJ
Hand Plane: http://amzn.to/2hvCZpx
Supplies
Red Oak ¼” X 4”: http://amzn.to/2gCQhfn
Blue Tape: http://amzn.to/2hPJP5y
Glue Stick: http://amzn.to/2hvDqAe
Wood Glue: http://amzn.to/2hHmc34
Spray Shellac: http://amzn.to/2hvDMa2
Two sided tape: http://amzn.to/2hPU9dP
Cut Boards to Size
I started off by cutting squares that were about 4” x ¼” This can easily be done at the bench with a backsaw just following a line. If the edge is rough, it can be trimmed with a hand plane on a shooting board or even the bench hook used to cut it.
Cut Dovetails
There are many tutorials on cutting dovetails so I will not go into great detail here. I gang cut all the tails so they match and it is faster. Then gang clean out the waste. Next, transfer the marks one by one for the pins and gang clean them out.
Apply Pattern
The pattern is applied with blue tape and a glue stick so that it can be easily removed from the wood. I start by putting down a layer of blue tape. Then glue that pattern to that. Repeat this for all 4 sides of the box.
Cut Fretwork
Once the pattern is applied we can cut out sections to let light through from the candle. I drill a hole in each section I want to cut out so that I can put the fret saw blade through. I used a raised bird’s mouth to cut the fretwork but it could be easily done on the edge of the bench.
Carve Face
Next, apply the sides to a scrap of wood that can be clamped to the bench. You could tape them to the bench but then they are there till you are done. Then, use the V-tool and carving mallet to follow the lines and carve in the pattern. This may sound daunting but after 15 minutes of practice, most people can do a great job. Trust me it is far easier than it sounds.
Assembly
Use the wood glue to glue together the 4 sides of the box. You may not even need clamps on these small parts; but if they need a little bit of pressure then you can use some C-Clamps with light pressure to hold it until the glue dries.
Cut and Fit Bottom
Once it dries, you can use the sides of the box to trace out the exact shape of the bottom. Then, just like the sides, it can be cut out and fit to shape and exact fit with a plane. If you make the fit clean and tight you will not need any clamps. The glue will hold well, but if needed then C-clamps can be used.
Smooth and Finish
Once it is dried, I use a finely set hand plane to smooth out all of the joints and make it feel perfect. To bring out the color some boiled linseed oil works wonders. Then, for a protective top coat, I used spray shellac to give it a finish. And voila, it is done and ready to give to a friend.
