My students began assembling their boxes today, gluing and taping the corners. Next came the fitting of miter keys to strengthen the joints. Tomorrow we will cut the lids from the base and the students are already beginning their 2nd boxes.
At left Bob is checking the glued corners of his box.

If you receive Fine Woodworking Magazine, look for the tools section of the next issue to arrive in your mail. In it I review a saw blade made by Forest Manufacturing that is a special grind intended for box making. It cuts a straight cornered 1/8" wide channels in hardwoods. We have found it perfect for cutting miter key slots in the corners of boxes. At ESSA this week, we are cutting miter key slots in ash, a wood notorious for tear-out. Guess what? No tear-out.