Tabletop Treasure Box Woodworking Plan

An artful break from regular finger joints, the alternating-width finger joints featured in this design add interest to the corners. You might also consider alternating-width dovetails in place of the finger joints. A small project like this one provides an opportunity to learn how to hand-cut dovetails. We show you how. To make it easy to build a box just like the one shown above (mahogany box, bocote lid and divider, and wenge handle and feet), we provide a mail-order wood kit (listed on the plan). You also can use those odd pieces of figured wood you have stashed away. Just pick out contrasting species to set apart the box, lid, and handle. For instance, make the ends and sides from cherry, the lid and divider from maple, and the handle and feet from walnut.

Workshop Articles included:

Hand-cut dovetails for a custom look.
How to cut tails-first dovetails.

Finished Dimensions
Height: 2.5 inches (6.4 cm)
Width: 6.625 inches (16.8 cm)
Length: 13 inches (33 cm)

Plan Author: Steve Altman

Plan Contributors: Jan Svec, Jeff Mertz, Roxanne LeMoine, Lorna Johnson

Published Date: 2006 February

Plan Language: English, all measurements are inches/feet unless stated otherwise.

Wood and Supplies needed:
1 of 3/4 x 3-1/2 x 36 inch mahogany*
1 of 3/4 x 3-1/2 x 36 inch bocote*
1 of 3/4 x 1-1/8 x 12 inch wenge*
1 of 1/8 x 12 x12 inch baltic birch plywood
* Some parts will have to be resawn or planed to make required thinner stock.

Tools needed:
Table saw, scroll saw, router in table and other common workshop tools.