A gift for our friend, Diane, this seed box incorporated several small-project techniques that are relatively new to the Marietta Wood Works shop. Resawing stock provided 1/2″ and 1/4″ thick components in keeping with the scale of the overall project. Temporary painter’s tape hinges did a good job keeping components aligned during glue up and assembly. Finally, the CNC-carved lettering and decoration were filled with tinted epoxy casting resin.
- SketchUp model, closed.
- Sketchup model, open.
- Resawing maple on the bandsaw.
- Resawn stock for sides, top, and bottom of the box.
- Edge gluing 1/4″ strips for top and bottom.
- Top and bottom clamped with stretchwrap-covered plywood cauls to keep everything flat.
- Cleaning up the top and bottom glue ups with a scraper.
- CNC routing the graphics and lettering.
- Monitoring the CNC toolpath progress.
- Carved box top and front.
- First dry fit of all components.
- Mixing epoxy resin with red and black opalescent pigments.
- Filling the carvings with a 10 ml syringe.
- I allow 24 hours for curing, plus a one hour kick in a 100 degree oven.
- Final sanding of resin fillings and all components.
- Box top and front ready for assembly.
- Using painters tape hinges for aligning and folding mitered box corners.
- Final assembly done and sitting in clamps overnight for the PVC glue to cure.
- Separating the lid from the body on the tablesaw.
- Shims and clamps stabilize the two sections for the final cut.
- Cherry dividers cut to fit and ready for half lap joints.
- Removable divider assembly fits in box bottom with no glue.
- Fitting hinges with tiny (fragile) brass screws before finishing.
- Light stain and two coats of polyurethane bring out the character of the hard maple.
- Top slats and carving style give this project a refined rustic look.
- Packets of seeds hold the promise of a bountiful harvest next growing season.
- Diane’s Seed Box complete!