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