Mom's Keepsake Box

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!