Making a Playing Card Box

On a recent trip to a discount lumber store, I picked up some small "hobby size" pieces of walnut & maple. The maple strips were cutoffs that were already milled down smooth and square, which works great for me since I don't have a planer. I figured they would be great for small boxes. When I was asked if I could contribute something handmade to a silent auction fundraiser, I thought a small box might be a fun skill-building exercise. So I set out to build a box to hold some playing cards.

I had an idea for a variation of a locking rabbet joint that would make the bottom easy to attach to the sides, and let the base protrude out from the box. The finish was also a first-time experiment. I used spray lacquer (which I've used before), but this time I gave it a final smoothing with grade 0000 steel wool. I really like how this one turned out, and I hope you do too. Thanks for watching.

Special thanks to Bill Van Loo, as his lift-lid box provided the inspiration for the design of the lid of my box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt_k9nb0qFs


TOOLS AND SUPPLIES:
Playing Cards (2-pack): http://amzn.to/1MvN7t7
5x8 Writing Pad: http://amzn.to/262PH01
Tape Measure: http://amzn.to/1p0vG8J
Handi Clamp: http://amzn.to/1p0weLG
Table Saw: http://amzn.to/262R6Ui
Band Saw: http://amzn.to/1ShuImg
GRR-Ripper Push Block: http://amzn.to/1ShuSKc
Glu-Bot Glue Bottle: http://amzn.to/1XxgJqF
Babe-Bot, Mini Glue Bottle: http://amzn.to/262UHSu
Router: http://amzn.to/1MvMQqd
Spray Lacquer: http://amzn.to/23HwcIj
Steel Wool (0000 Super Fine): http://amzn.to/1p0xkqL

Video Tether: Wifi-Controlled Camera Slider Prototype

Earlier this year I applied to the "World's Largest Arduino Maker Challenge," a contest organized by Arduino and Microsoft to launch Arduino's new MKR1000 board. It's a small form factor Arduino with built-in WiFi. I was fortunate enough to be chosen to receive one of the the boards, and used it to build myself a device for operating a camera slider. For entry into the contest, the project had to be documented on Hackster.io. You can see the completed project (and video) here:

https://www.hackster.io/benbrandt22/wifi-controlled-precision-camera-slider-b6062f

Walnut Box

I recently got some nice hardwood scraps off craigslist, and decided to try my hand at some fancy box-making with my relatively limited tools. This was also a fun excuse to experiment with mixing wood and aluminum as well.


The main box structure is made from walnut and hard maple, accented with aluminum splines on each corner. The interior liner is made with maple sides and a thin sheet of aluminum at the bottom. I'm aware that wood movement may cause problems with my aluminum splines in the future, but for now I think it looks cool, and it made for a fun build experience/experiment.

I don't claim any expertise in making boxes. I would consider this more of an experimental art project and a skill-building exercise. However, if you want to see some really impressive box-making videos, check out Marty Backe's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/MartyBacke/search?query=box
He goes into more detail on process and technique, and is more qualified to teach the material than I am.

Thanks for taking the time to watch (and to read this).

MUSIC:

"Metanoia (Instrumental)" by Razbaque Dirge
https://soundcloud.com/razbaque-dirge/metanoia
Used with permission from the composer