I was asked...

In response to a reader question, these are the next steps in making inlaid boxes. I cut stock at about a 6 degree angle so the lids will be of sufficient depth at the back edge for the hinges, but sufficiently thin at the front edge. It would be bulky design-wise if not cut and the angle adds interesting effects to the box. The process also allows for cutting two lids at the same time from the original stock. Thrift comes into play. 

Next, I'll inlay the pieces of walnut and linden using the patterned stock I'd prepared in earlier steps. (These are shown in the photo and in my books.) 

I was asked to leave politics out of my posts. All things are political in nature, including the choices we make in the woodshop. We try to make things that are beautiful, useful, and lasting in the hopes that they will live beyond our times and be beautiful, useful and lasting in subsequent generations. That's political. We may not aways be successful. That's where forgiveness comes in. Self then others. 

 Make, fix and create...