Making The Candlebox

Posted by Easy WoodCraft on

Mar 17, 2016

This simple but attractive candlebox is distinguished by its sliding top. The lid has beveled edges tapering so they can slide in grooves cut into the inside faces of the box's sides and one end. A carved, inset pull adds a decorative touch as well as providing a means for easy sliding of the lid. After the lumber is milled to the required thicknesses, widths and lengths, cut grooves to receive the top and bottom panels.

Next, cut the through dovetails at each corner (this procedure is discussed in Making the Document Chest). Bevel the top and bottom panels and assemble the case around the bottom panel, which is left unglued so that it can expand and contract across its width in response to seasonal changes in humidity. Complete construction by fitting plugs into the openings left at each corner at the ends of the grooves.

Hand-Planing The Bevels For The Candlebox Lid

1.

First, make layout lines to mark the limits of the bevel. Make one line around the edges of the lid %" from the lid's bottom surface. Make a second line on the lid's top 1 'A" from the outside edges. The bevel will connect these two lines.

2.

Plane the bevel across the end grain first so that any tearout occur-ring at the end of the plane's stroke will be removed when the adjacent bevel is formed. Although a jack plane can be used to make this bevel, it may be nec-essary to finish with a block plane which, with its lower cut-ting angle, produces a cleaner surface across end grain.

Shaping The Pool

1.

With a marking gauge or a sharp knife, make a line parallel to and 1" from the unbeveled end of the lid. Posi-tion the stationary leg of a compass on that line halfway across the width of the lid. Draw an arc with the compass's pencil point.

2.

Placing the tip of a flat chisel in the scored line, cut along that line, an-gling toward the arc. Using a wide-sweep gouge, make cuts from the arc back toward the scored line. Carefully lever up chips.

3.

Once the depression has been formed, you can give the pull a smooth surface, or, as I've done here, you can give it a bit of texture.

Materials List :

-

Side

2

pcs

1/2 x 7 x 14

-

End

1

pcs

1/2 x 7 x 8 1/2

-

End

1

pcs

1/2 x 6 x 8 1/2

-

Bottom

1

pcs

1/2 x 8 x 13 1/2

-

Top

1

pcs

1/2 x 8 x 13 3/4

-

Plug

6

pcs

1/2 x 3/8 x 1/4, shaved to fit

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