Valentines Day is fast approaching. I thought it would be fun to make a candy box, one the recipient could keep and not have to throw away after the candy is gone.
It was an interesting challenge. Thankfully, a couple people on Facebook suggested I try bent lamination to create the curves. It seemed a bit daunting at first, because I always thought it would be very difficult. In fact, it was very easy and it opens up a whole bunch of possibilities for future projects.
The only trick it to plane your wood down as thin as possible to allow it to bend. Then glue up several pieces and let them dry around a form. Plus, scrounge up every clamp you can find.
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Please welcome Micro Jig as a new sponsor to the show! Great products and people.
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For Valentines Day, I decided to make a heart-shaped box with a little extra. It has a tray area, for sorting change, holding rings or whatever. I wanted the design to flow together as one unit and repeat the sweeping arcs of the heart shape.
If youve made a band saw box before, you will recognize the techniques. This is sort of like making two in one. Just consider the tray area as a second box: instead of slicing off the back, you will just add a separate base.
I used purpleheart and padauk and it really looks nice, although I wouldnt recommend using such hard woods. Bandsaw boxes require a lot of sanding to smooth out the blade marks and your will struggle less with a soft wood.
PlansIm quite proud of this cutting template! It includes all the steps you will need to perform to make this box. Just print it out (make sure you set your printers scaling to 100% size) and paste it to a block of wood.
- Download WWMM Heart-shaped box template. (pdf)
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Jack Read, the box-making king, checks in with this heart-shaped box made from orange agate and redwood. Just gorgeous!
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Dean Morrell made a bandsaw box for each of his children on their 5th birthday. (Such a cool idea.) This one is redwood and douglas fir. The drawer handle is made from a foam brush handle.
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Keith Mealy made this butternut box about 25 years ago and based it on one found on an ancient Greek shipwreck.
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Paul Brown made two of these tea light candle holders for his nieces when they got engaged.
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Sergeant First Class Ron Sims tried out my ink-jet transfer method on this heart he made for his wife. I have yet to try that technique on anything besides black ink yet. Looks like it works well! Neat stand, too.
