Wenge And Zebrano Box
After reading Matt Kenney's 52 Boxes, and in light of a conveniently timed r/woodworking "Smaller Than A Shoebox" contest, I was inspired to make this wenge and zebrano (zebrawood) box. I wanted something that could fit my wallet and whatever watch I'm wearing that day without being too specialized like a valet box. The box is made from wenge, the bottom is zebrano, the top is zebrano with a wenge pull. Finished with four coats of super blonde shellac (Old World Shellac). Final dimensions are 12" long x 5 1/2" wide x 5" high (counting the pull).

The boards I started with. Have enough Zebrano for another box. Had to buy a bit more wenge to make the pull for the top.

Too wide for my jointer, so I skip planed to get it reasonably flat, jointed one edge, then ripped it down to size on the table saw.

Mitering the corners.


Rabbets on each side for the lid/bottom.

Box ready to be assembled

Used painters tape to line up the corners, made glue-up super easy.

Test fitting the lid.

I tried a bunch of different sizes and shapes for the pull before I settled on a pull with a 15 degree taper on each side.



Gluing on the pull.

Clamping up the bottom. I wanted it to sit slightly proud of the bottom of the box to give some visual interest. The original piece was the same thickness as the lid, I planed it down by trial and error until I found a thickness I liked.

Testing out danish oil and shellac for the finish. The difference in person is more substantial than the picture indicates. Decided to try the shellac (my first time using it).




Great job on the box, I love the wenge/zebrawood combo!