Finished project first

The boards I was planning on using.  I didn't end up using the oak board on the left.

This is when I decided to build the box to the lid.  I wanted to preserve as much of this board as I could

Dimensioning.   Right in the middle of this project I moved my hand tools from the garage to a spare basement bedroom which is way more enjoyable to work in.  It has better lighting so I tried to take more pictures. 

Gauge line popping off 

Really long gauge line letting me know I've hit my mark

Squaring the ends 

Dovetail layout

Cutting the waste out with a fret saw.   I used to chop all the waste and it took me forever.  This is quicker and I like it better.

First time using the blue tape trick.  Made it easier to see 

Smallest pins ever cut.  It was challenging for me.  My 1/8" chisel was too bulky so it made things difficult.

Time for the grooves

The end of a stopped groove

Stop groovin

Fine tuning things

Working on rabbeting the lid

More fine tuning

Tiny little shavings

Yay it fits

I used spray adhesive to attach the fabric to a piece of plywood for the bottom.  Couldn't have been happier with the results 

Adding a slight curve to the lid

Made a curved finger recess with gouges to make it easier to open