Pennsylvania Spice Box
Behind a distinctive double-arched door are unknowns and secrets. While surfing the Internet for examples of spice boxes, I stumbled upon an antique box with a distinctive door. While I’m [...]
A Wooden Sword, Part 4 – Continuing Work on the Guard
Another guard style that’s especially popular with students is the faceted guard. This design is easy to lay out using a small straightedge or a 6″ ruler. Once the front-view design is [...]
A Wooden Sword, Part 3 – Shaping the Blade and Beginning Work on the Guard
Last time, I talked about potential shapes for the handle and pommel. In this entry, we’ll shape the blade and introduce the first of several guard designs. If possible, shape the blade [...]
A Wooden Sword, Part 2 – Shaping the Grip and Pommel
After my student finished forming the cross-lap joints (see part 1), I asked what kind of hilt they envisioned for their sword. Should the grip be tapered and rounded? Should it end with a [...]
A Wooden Sword, Part 1 – The Double Cross Lap Joint
One of the most popular projects my students ask to build is a sword. Alongside boatmaking or crafting a gnome house, swordmaking has become one of the signature fourth-grade projects we do once [...]
Vertical Art-Deco-Inspired Boxes: Part 8
Finishing it all up. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 After many hours of meticulous work (see previous entries), I was finally approaching …
Vertical Art-Deco-Inspired Boxes: Part 7
Installing the hinges. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 Most of the time, when building furniture or boxes, I opt for high-quality extruded …
Vertical Art-Deco-Inspired Boxes: Part 6
Designing and making the lid cut. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 Any box designed to house a specific collection item must be …
Moravian Stool
This traditional, lightweight stool is an excellent first step toward chairmaking. One highlight of a visit to historic Old Salem in North Carolina is the beautiful Moravian furniture and [...]
Vertical Art-Deco-Inspired Boxes: Part 5
Wrapping the Brass Strip Around Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 After annealing and straightening the brass and dadoing the sides of the …
Vertical Art-Deco-Inspired Boxes: Part 4
Installing the metal band. Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 In the previous chapter of the Megillah Boxes series, I shared the process …
Vertical Art-Deco-Inspired Boxes: Part 3
Assembling the Boxes Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5 • Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 With all the components of the three boxes completed and their joints fitted, I …
