Mom's Keepsake Box
Instruction
Let's work on crafting a special keepsake Mother's Day box! Within the file, you'll find two versions of this delightful box, each featuring a charming lift-top design.
When crafting the box, https://www.festi.info/boxes.py/ proves to be an invaluable resource. This user-friendly website enables you to effortlessly design a custom box by inputting the desired dimensions, selecting the preferred top style, specifying the wood thickness, and a few other minor details. Once your design is complete, you can conveniently download it as an SVG file.
The heart graphics featured on the box tops were crafted using Creative Space, xTool's software boasting a variety of basic line graphics perfect for enhancing your projects. What's great about these images is their flexibility — they can be ungrouped and fully customized to suit your preferences. Additionally, the text was also crafted within Creative Space, allowing for seamless integration and customization within your design.
For this project, I opted to cover the plywood with masking. This step ensures clean, residue-free cuts, enhancing the overall quality of the finished product.
For optimal results in this project, utilize the following settings: Cut the Maple plywood with Power set to 100%, Speed at 10, and a single Pass; for the walnut plywood, use Power at 100%, Speed set to 8, and again, a single Pass. When scoring the maple and walnut, adjust your settings to lightly mark the wood, ensuring precise placement of glued items.
Before assembling the pieces, I gently smoothed the surfaces of each piece using 320 grit sandpaper. This step not only ensures a clean, smooth surface for assembly but also facilitates a pristine finish application at the project's conclusion.
When assembling the boxes and affixing the images to the tops, I opted for CA glue and accelerator, my preferred choice for box-making projects over traditional wood glue. Unlike wood glue, which necessitates curing time and clamping or banding of edges, CA glue sets rapidly, expediting production. However, caution is advised when using CA glue: it sets almost instantly, so quick adjustments to object placement are crucial.
To complete the finish on these boxes, I applied a wipe-on urethane. I particularly appreciate the striking contrast between the walnut and maple once the finish is applied. I trust you'll find joy in crafting and admiring this project!