Create a gift for your mum that’s straight from the heart

Use your hands to make a gift that’s straight from the heart

2018-06-01 -

instead of chocolates this Mother’s Day, why not give ypur mum a gift made with love by you! Using simple construction methods you can make her day with a present that will last a lifetime.

JEWELLERY BOX Gather your supplies

Box ends and sides 65 x 12mm x 1.2m Tasmanian oak (1)

Trays 20 x 8mm x 1.2m Tasmanian oak (3)

Bases 900 x 600 x 3mm MDF (1) Lid 135 x 19 x 320mm hardwood (1)

You’ll also need

Circular saw with fence attachment; 120 and 400 grit sandpaper; tenon saw; mitre box; masking tape; Sikabond PVA glue; drill; 1mm drill bit; 20mm nails; nail punch; self-adhesive felt sheet (2); wood putty; clamps; sharp chisel; Feast Watson Mastertouch French Polish; methylated spirits; 0000 grade steel wool; clear cabinet maker’s wax; 100mm microfibre mini paint rollers (4)

Here’s how

STEP 1 Set circular saw to cut 6mm deep. With fence attachment on saw, cut a 4mm wide rebate along 1 long edge of timber for box. On opposite long edge use 120 grit sandpaper to round corners.

STEP 2 Use tenon saw and mitre box to cut box sides (A) and box ends (B). Cut ends of each piece at 45° so the angle goes through the timber in opposite directions. STEP 3 Lay box sides and ends in order on bench with outside facing up and

cut ends meeting. Join pieces with strips of masking tape and also hang tape off one piece at the end of the line.

STEP 4 Turn over taped pieces and spread PVA on all cut ends. Lift pieces up on edge and fold them around so cut ends meet in a mitre and the box is formed. Check diagonals for square, make sure all corners are tightly taped then leave 24 hours for glue to set.

STEP 5 Round corners on one long edge of timber for trays. Repeat Steps 2–4 to cut, tape and join tray sides (C) and tray ends (D) to create 2 boxes for trays.

STEP 6 On 1 tray box, fit 2 tray dividers (E) between sides equally spaced between ends. Predrill through sides into dividers with a 1mm drill bit then nail. Use nail punch to drive nail below surface.

STEP 7 On second tray box, nail 1 divider between sides so gap to one end is 105mm.

In this gap, glue ring blocks

(F) against tray sides.

STEP 8 Cut self-adhesive felt to size of tray base (G) and stick felt to it. Repeat to attach felt to second tray base.

STEP 9 Run a thin bead of glue along edges of 1 tray and place tray base, with felt down, on top. Predrill and nail through tray base into tray sides and ends. Repeat to fix second tray base to other tray.

STEP 10 Fill nail holes with matching wood putty. Let dry then sand smooth.

STEP 11 Spread glue along rebate in bottom edge of box then place box base (H) in rebate. Predrill on a slight angle through base into box sides and ends then nail.

STEP 12 To create veneer keys, mark corners 15mm from top and bottom edges of box. Clamp to bench then use tenon saw at marked points to make cuts angled towards middle of box. Make depth about 20mm and make sure you don’t cut all the way through the corners.

STEP 13 Use circular saw to cut thin strips off end of hardwood for lid. Make thickness roughly the same as the tenon saw blade. Spread glue along strips and slip into slots cut in corners. Leave glue to set.

STEP 14 Use tenon saw to cut off excess hardwood a millimetre or so above surface of box.

Use sharp chisel to shave off remaining hardwood and make flush with the box. Sand smooth.

STEP 15 Use sandpaper to round corners at either end of one long edge of handle (I). Also round edges of this long edge and adjacent short ends. Down centreline of lid (J), predrill holes for nails 30mm on either side of the middle. Glue and nail handle to lid in the middle of the centreline.

STEP 16 Use sandpaper to round cut edges of lid to match round finish on long edge.

STEP 17 Mix French polish with methylated spirits in a 50/50 mix. Apply to interior and exterior of main box and trays with a paintbrush. Allow to dry then sand lightly with 400 grit sandpaper. Remove dust then recoat. Repeat once more.

STEP 18 Using 0000 grade steel wool, apply clear cabinet maker’s wax to the box and trays. Leave to dry for 30 minutes then buff wax using a soft dry cloth.

STEP 19 Add mini paint rollers to small ring compartment of one of the trays.

FOR PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE STOCKISTS PAGE