Resources for Lidded Boxes and Jars

Here are some resources for the demo I did the other night:

I mentioned Mike Stafford – he does not have a web page to my knowledge but is active in some forums and on Facebook. One forum in which he has remained active is Family Woodworking. He is also on Facebook. Do a Google search on “MIke Stafford Woodturner” and you will get a lot of results, including a number of images of lidded boxes.

Allen Wrenches – when I want to buy a number of allen wrenches of the same size I use Wiha tools. I prefer the black allen wrenches but the last ones I bought (3/16) were only available in the silver finish. I haven’t got them placed in handles yet. You can heat the allen wrenches with a propane torch to shape them. To create the cutting edge, grind the top half of the allen wrench away to the widest point across the center of the tool.

Wagner tools – available from Craft Supplies. The listing shows “TPI” which refers to the coarseness of the knurling on the wheel. I had the coarsest one with me the other evening, only because that matched the other two jars in the “set.”

Termite Tool – Here is Onway’s web page which describes the tool. The tool is available a number of different places on the web including Amazon. I don’t believe it’s available through Woodcraft but you can ask at the sales desk. Note: the ring I was using the other evening is an optional extra large ring.

Process – I was going to list the main points of the process but after I got to 25 steps I knew it was too complicated. Here is an 11-step process. Let me know if you have questions. I would be happy to mentor someone through the process.

1. Round the workpiece between centers and make tenons on the ends for the scroll chuck.
2. Mount the workpiece in the chuck and lay out the top and bottom of the box and the point of largest diameter. Add the distance of the tenon (lip) for the lid and part off the top.
3. Rough out the shape of the box.
4. Hollow the box. Sand.
5. Refine the tenon (lip) for the lid and the shape of the top part of the box. Sand.
6. Remove the workpiece from the scroll chuck and mount the top of the workpiece in the scroll chuck.
7. Create a jam chuck and mount the box into the jamb chuck. Refine the shape of the box as needed and finish turn the bottom of the box. Remove the box from the jamb chuck which will become the lid of the box.
8. Ease the fit of the box into the lid. Refine, sand and decorate the inside of the lid.
9. If needed, chamfer the inside of the lid so it will fit down over the shoulder of the jar. Turn a bead on the bottom of the lid. The bottom of the bead should meet the edge of the chamfer.
10. Part the lid off. Use the left over wood or a piece of waste wood to create a jamb chuck for the lid.
11. Refine the shape of the lid. Sand. Decorate the lid if desired. Remove the lid and place on the box (or jar)