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The Finger Box will introduce you to basic workpiece creation and three new woodworking joints. You'll learn to cut wood accurately and read drawings to reproduce a simple finger-jointed box.
Take this project as far as you want to. It can be as simple as single type of wood neatly assembled with no embellishments or you can add to it: A laser engraving, CNC engraving, contrasting woods, or even a felted interior with dividers.
This page is a summary of the steps to guide you through the Project Punch List.
Steps
Steps
1-Read Drawing and Redline Changes.
1-Read Drawing and Redline Changes.
Use a red pen to notate any changed:
Write the type of wood you are using.
Change any dimensions you want to change.
Get your changes approved before moving on.
2-Make a Cut List.
2-Make a Cut List.
Look at the drawing to identify the size of each piece.
Make a table showing the quantity and size of each piece.
Include
Name of piece (Top, side, bottom, etc.)
Type of wood.
Number of pieces needed.
Length
Width
Thickness
3-Cut Stock.
3-Cut Stock.
Find a board that will be large enough for all six pieces.
Cut about an inch extra.
Record your cut stock on a Materials Acquisition sheet.
4-Cut Workpieces.
4-Cut Workpieces.
Follow the steps for Cutting and Squaring Stock!
Plane boards to thickness + 1/16".
Dual-drum both sides to remove snipe and finish thickness dimension.
Joint one edge of each board.
Rip cut each workpiece to width.
Use an accurate miter saw with a finish blade to cut each board to length. Remember to cut both ends.
Save your scraps for future operations.
5-Cut Dado for Bottom.
5-Cut Dado for Bottom.
Use the dado table saw with a 1/4" dado stack.
Cut a 1/4" wide dado in all four side pieces. Look at drawing for dimensions.
6-Cut Rabbets.
6-Cut Rabbets.
Use the dado table saw with a 1/4" dado stack.
Clamp a sacrificial board to the fence and set the blade flush to the fence.
Set the depth to just under 1/4"
Make a practice cut, then test fit it into the dados that you cut in the last step.
If the fit is too tight, raise the blade a tiny bit and repeat until it fits.
Cut all four sides of the top and bottom pieces.
Move the fence 1/4" away from the fence and repeat the cuts for the top piece.
7-Cut Finger Joints.
7-Cut Finger Joints.
Watch this video to see how to make the finger joints.
Be sure to use the stop block for your pieces.
Take your time and check everything a bajillion times!
8-Assemble.
8-Assemble.
Dry Fit all of the pieces.
Make adjustments until everything fits cleanly.
Lay out the pieces in the order that you want to glue them. (Hide the top... you're not going to glue that!)
Spread Type 1 glue on all of the edges that will touch.
Do not glue the bottom! (You can put a dot of glue on one end to keep it from rattling if you want.)
Assemble the box and make sure it's square.
Use a couple of pieces of blue tape to hold it together.
9-Sand.
9-Sand.
Start with 120 grit.
Using a block of wood, sand all faces.
Sand edges, ends, and corners. There should be no sharp corners.
Repeat with 220 grit.
When you think you're done, sand some more.
Sand some more.
Keep sanding.
I know. Sanding is awful. Go sand some more.
10-Finish.
10-Finish.
Go to the finish room (get permission first).
Put a couple of spacers under your box.
Find a container of cutting Danish Oil.
Use a paper towel or chip brush to lightly spread oil all over the box.
Wait 10-15 minutes.
Dry entire box.
Put a piece of paper with your name and period inside your box.
Let dry for a day.
Get your box and put everything else away.
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