I hate cords and I will go to great lengths to hide them. I saw an idea on Etsy and I decided to try and make my own. I used 5mm wood to give it a bit more security as it will be frequently used.
This is the second box I have ever designed, and I know enough to acknowledge I lack the skill to create finger joints. :-) So I went to makeabox.io and entered the parameters I wanted.
Once I had downloaded the PDF I moved the file a piece at a time onto my workspace.
HINT: Don't edit your copy and pasted item in any way yet…if you edit you will end up with an inside and outside trace and that will throw your alignment off.
Trace the object and separate the items. NOW you can resize them.
Remember your joints will vary depending on what size wood you entered in the generator, one will not work with another.
Take your time here, I learned the hard way that it doesn't take much to throw off the whole design and you end up recutting.
Place each of your pieces in the same way they were in the pdf.
ZOOM IN and look around.
Then use the vertacle and horizontal lines found at the top and at the left of your screen to check that both the inside and the outside of the lines are appropriate.
It was at this point I decided I wanted the box to be hinged, not a slider.
To make this happen I drew a line from left to right where I wanted my split to be on the front, back and sides of the box.
Then you will turn them into a compound vector.
Make a copy and paste of the each file.
Open the edit function and simplify the vector. NOTE: make sure your crisp lines remain intact and don't get a curve.
Then use the scissors and remove the bottom on a piece, save that file. Then remove the top piece and save that file.
Decide where you want your hole for your cords to go in and out. I have included an optional piece that can be placed inside to keep the cords from tangling.
While I have not added decoration to my boxes I did design some and they are included with this file.
Depending on your machine set your material to engrave and cut as appropriate.
Assemble the box top and the box bottom.
You can use the hinge pattern included with this file or you can use another.
Now stand back and enjoy!