Like most of my projects this one started out as 3D model in SketchUp.

Here is a link to the model if you want it.

I gathered the material I would need.

The veneered Birdseye panels were test pieces I had done for another project and were the driving force for the size of this box. The Padauk is a cut-off from that other project as well. 

I don't have a saw bench, so I use the overhand ripping technique from Christopher Schwarz to cut out the pieces of Walnut that I need.

The Walnut started out as a 5/4 board and I used my frame saw to re-saw it to get two 1/2" boards and enough material to make two boxes at the same time, one to send off and one to keep for myself. I also cut out the strips needed for the frame of the lid.

Everything was then planed to size and the edges were squared.

Next step is to get out my Record #050 small plow plane.

I cut the 1/4" grooves for the plywood bottom of the box and the 5/16" grooves for the lid panel.

Once the grooves were cut I could saw the pieces to their final lengths and clean them up at the shooting board to make sure they are all the same size so that the box will glue-up square.

I marked all of the pieces for their reference face and edges and also put marks to keep them in the correct orientation and to distinguish each of the two boxes.

Next step is to cut the curves in each of the box sides.

I used a cardboard template to make sure they are all consistent and then I cut them out; first with a coping saw, then a spoke shave, and finally I used a 3/4" dowel and sand paper to refine the curved edge.

Now I can cut the miters for the lid frame parts.

First I use a combo square and marking knife to mark the 45 degree angel and carry it all the way around the part.

Then I clamp the piece down and saw close to the line.

I then attach a speed square to the fence of my shooting board with a clamp and clean up the miter right to the line.

I move on the shooting the long miters on the side panels by attaching my "donkey's ear" to the fence of the shooting board. It holds the panel at 45 degrees to the sole of the plane and I can work my way right down to the corner.

When cutting this much end grain be sure to have a really sharp blade. You should be getting nice solid end grain shavings, not dust. Re-sharpen often.

With the long miters cut, I cut the plywood bottom to fit and glued up the body of the box.

While the glue was drying I moved on to fitting the lid panel.

I want the panel to sit flush with the frame pieces. It took some very careful measurments and a lot more time than I expected. I had to go back and forth quite a few times to get the panel and the miters to line up perfectly.

Once I was happy with the fit I glued up the lid.

Because I used plywood there is no danger of wood movement so the frame pieces are glued directly to the lid panel and the miters do not need to be reinforced.

Now that the glue has dried I move on to shaping the front of the lid, the curve here gives a place for your fingers to lift the lid and also mimic the curves around the bottom of the box.

This is also the time to cut the mortices for the hinges. We will be adding the corner posts next and they will interfere with holding the box in the vice while flushing up the lid to the box

Here is a link to my technique for adding hinge mortices to a box. Just skip over the part where I cut the lid off the box.

I cut and planed the Padauk to a 3/4" x 3/4" square strip and the cut a 1/2" x 1/2" rebate so I ended up with an "L" shaped piece.

I cut off pieces to fit on the corners of the box.

I then used a block plane to cut a taper on the narrow edges.

I turned the piece in the vice to cut a taper on the wide edge too.

The corner posts are applied and the glue is allowed to dry.

These post will also act to reinforce the mitered corners of the box.

Now is a good time to finish sand the box for finishing. 

I start with 150 grit and move up to 220 and then 320. I'm very careful to sand each species with it's own paper. the Walnut can contaminate the Maple, and the Padauk will turn everything it touches orange.

The finish will be Watco Danish Oil in natural. I flood the surface every 20 minutes for one hour and then wipe off the excess and let it dry for a couple of days.

While the finish is drying I move on to the padded suede liner.

Here is a link to how I make and apply the suede leather liner.

Because I'm lining this box I did not bother to apply finish to the inside of the box.

After the finish has fully cured I apply a good quality furniture wax.

This product is called Alfie Shine. It's a resin enriched hard wax polish.

It smells and feels so much nicer than the Johnson's paste wax I used to use.

All done and ready to ship off to it's new home with Ian in Waseca, MN.

Thanks for following along.

I hope you found it as enjoyable as I did making it.

If you have any questions or comments just leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them.

-Timmy2Hands