a simple tip for speedy boxes

By sanding and finishing one side of a piece of wood prepared for box making before it's cut into parts, you ease and expedite the process of finishing at the tail end. I thank my retired box making friend Don for the tip.

In the photo are over a dozen future boxes. The woods are cherry, walnut and ash. The outsides of the boxes will be sanded and finished after being assembled. The application of the oil finish before the parts are mitered will not interfere with effective gluing, because fresh unfinished wood will be uncovered when the miters are cut and when the grooves for the top panel and bottom are cut.

I have an editor from Fine Woodworking coming at the end of February to take pictures of the process, and today my book editors and I will go over the next steps in completion of my Guide to Woodworking with Kids.

There are wonderful things that happen in wood shop. We learn to look around us and to assess reality in our search for truth.

Make, fix, create, and assist others in learning lifewise.