Small boxes

Here is a selection of small boxes that I made for the ladies in my family and for gifts and display. Various materials and processes were used in the construction. Some aspects of these can be seen in the joinery.

A "crooked" box, where all the sides are cut at 10 degrees off the vertical. The lid was sawn off using a special set-up and the bandsaw and then a thin strip of walnut was added to accentuate the joint.  I started this as an experiment in cutting the joinery but it turned out very well.

Below is the first puzzle box that I built. It's quite simple really , slide the lid to one side, press down the side adjacent to the two small slots and then slide out the lid. The moveable side is attached to a false bottom which acts as a spring to hold it in place. Strong hands are needed!

These are "tongue drums" that I built after my grandson asked if I could build one. He has one and I have the other. The main body is made from maple and the top is made from Padauk. The bottom is removable and the individual fingers (tongues) can be tuned to provide a specific note when struck with a small rubber mallet. The centre celtic knot piece is glued to a pillar attached to the removable bottom. 

I built these puzzle boxes when a neighbour asked if I could build her one that was difficult to open. Each has five rotating rings (like a combination lock) with eighteen letters or numbers located around the perimeter. Material is maple and black walnut. The box will only open when the correct digits are aligned with the small indicator mark at the bottom. I call these the "Mensa" puzzle boxes, a good place to store your teenager's cell phone!

Below is another puzzle box that was hard to build but turned out to be quite easy to open. 

These are cremation urns that I made for two very good friends that passed away. The one on the left is made from mahogany and black walnut while the one on the right is made from figured cherry and douglas fir.