Box frames are constructed from solid wood, many with a
solid wood top panel. Others have veneered top panels or
marquetrey tops. Most of the veneers used are hand sawn by
me, some from stock that I have sawn and air dried here
where I work. I very much prefer air dried wood rather than
kiln dried as it invariably displays clean, clear, bright
highlights and colors whereas kiln drying often homogenizes
the tones and colors and even turns woods like walnut
greyish and lifeless. My sawn veneers are usually about
1/16" thick when finished. I always make the top panels
first and boxes may contain as few as two compartments or
lift out trays or as many as 15, some hidden or secret.
Some boxes may have solid or veneered compartment covers to
add design elements to the interiors. Box corners are
constructed utilizing the splined mitre which is extremely
strong and ensures that no unsightly end grain will be
seen. The box interior and the compartment trays or drawers
are lined with a suitably colored pigskin leather.There are
two basic box types: the lift lid, which is generally of
smaller size and having a knob or handle on top, and the
hinged lid, usually with a brass lid restraint anchored in
the box side. If the lid is not too large or heavy, I may
use brass stop hinges and no brace. Occasionally I will add
a lock. All hardware mounts are of the best quality brass
available. On a few boxes I finish with white dewaxed
shellac but more usually I finish with my own mixed
combination of tung oil and gloss polyurethane. All boxes
are created individually, I do not engage in any production
work.