Pandemic shutdown woodworking project

[Earvin32]

While my school was on shutdown from mid March through the end of the school year in June, I decided to build some wooden boxes to replace the cardboard card boxes I bought from the local card shop that held my cards. My dad built a wooden box with me when I was in college years ago. It had hinges and latches. I still use that box but I wanted to build something less complicated and simpler. I used some leftover maple veneer plywood from my kitchen cabinets that I built a few years ago. It is a good thing to use up old supplies. I used finger joints at the corners and I made a concealed lid that slides out to access the cards. Inside, I made one row wide enough for graded cards, if I ever put any in here. The boxes are not light but I don't travel with my cards so the weight is not an issue for me. I built 2 of these and my Magic Johnson pc and Oscar Robertson pc are liking their new homes, along with a few of their friends.

[Vinny1984]

Nice work!

[n1nesports]

Man funny you made this I was thinking of this exact idea, the only difference is I can't build crap haha. Looks awesome, exactly what I had in mind, so weird.
I bought a big plastic box instead and found these awesome long wooden boxes that are split into 3 sections and put em in my big box along with cardboard card boxes with the lids cut off.

[mattsgarage]

That looks awesome! Nice box joints, and the sliding lid can be tricky - great work! It's incredibly rewarding to be able to use something you've built with your own two hands.

I've been mixing my two hobbies of woodworking and card collecting for a little while. I've made some similar boxes:





and I'm working on a hinged box that will hold BGS and PSA slabs. I'll try and post some pics when I'm closer to being finished.

[Earvin32]

Originally Posted by mattsgarage

That looks awesome! Nice box joints, and the sliding lid can be tricky - great work! It's incredibly rewarding to be able to use something you've built with your own two hands.

I've been mixing my two hobbies of woodworking and card collecting for a little while. I've made some similar boxes:





and I'm working on a hinged box that will hold BGS and PSA slabs. I'll try and post some pics when I'm closer to being finished.

Very nice work. What type of wood did you use?

My next box will be of real wood, not plywood. I want to get better at my miter lock corner router bit. If you want to check out more of my work, my website is https://www.greenwoodturnings.com/. My main gig is natural edge turned bowls but I am attempting my first river table. Maybe my next box will be a river box with the sides having an epoxy pour running down the middle. My new projects are posted on my Facebook page under greenwood turnings.

[BenWallacePC]

Very nice! This is a very classy way to hold a collection.

[mattsgarage]

Originally Posted by Earvin32

Very nice work. What type of wood did you use?

My next box will be of real wood, not plywood. I want to get better at my miter lock corner router bit. If you want to check out more of my work, my website is https://www.greenwoodturnings.com/. My main gig is natural edge turned bowls but I am attempting my first river table. Maybe my next box will be a river box with the sides having an epoxy pour running down the middle. My new projects are posted on my Facebook page under greenwood turnings.

Those turned bowls look amazing! I just have a tiny shop that fits into a corner of my garage, so a lathe is out of the question for now but definitely something I want to learn in the future.

I have a buddy who's father was a sort of 'wood collector' - he had some land here in Wisconsin and he and his friends would go out and mill up trees for fun - he ended up with a substantial 'collection'. Anyway, I was able to get quite a bit of air dried stock from him, including cherry, walnut, oak and maple, which is what I use most of the time. It's all rough sawn, so it takes a bit of effort to mill it down to usable flat pieces. I think it's worth the effort though because I get some pretty unique pieces to work with.

Here's another box I did a while ago from walnut:

[packerfan4200]

Nice work everyone! My two hobbies are card collecting and carpentry/woodworking as well. Haven’t gotten around to making a box(es) for my cards yet. I used to make some nice sliding top boxes/cribbage boards that would work some a small amount of cards, out of tiger maple 4” casing with a built in backband for the sides, and 1/4” thick walnut mulls for top and bottom. Just use a clear finish myself as well, that’s the only acceptable way haha.

Will have to bust out the dovetail jig sometime soon

[Oldschool42]

I wish I had skills like that. My father can build anything, weld, do wood working, rebuild a Model A from the ground up, etc. Me? I can barely use a cordless drill! Nice job.

[Earvin32]

I would encourage everyone to try something new. You don't know what you are capable of if you talk yourself out of something. Try something new and you might surprise yourself. You are creative. You have hands. Dream up something and try to build it. If you don't know something, find someone to ask your questions to. Network. I hear this many times at art festivals when people see my work. I can't do that, I don't have the patience or the skill. That is just an excuse to limit what you are capable of. That is why I love being creative as I don't fear the unknown, I just have to figure it out how to get over my skill gaps. There is no better feeling when you complete a project and you created it with your own hands. It can be very addicting.

[volblorx8634]

Ditto, I would be helpless trying to do something like this, but your boxes look great!

[packerfan4200]

Originally Posted by Earvin32

I would encourage everyone to try something new. You don't know what you are capable of if you talk yourself out of something. Try something new and you might surprise yourself. You are creative. You have hands. Dream up something and try to build it. If you don't know something, find someone to ask your questions to. Network. I hear this many times at art festivals when people see my work. I can't do that, I don't have the patience or the skill. That is just an excuse to limit what you are capable of. That is why I love being creative as I don't fear the unknown, I just have to figure it out how to get over my skill gaps. There is no better feeling when you complete a project and you created it with your own hands. It can be very addicting.

Yep, you said it perfectly...People too often sell themselves short. Do the research and ask the questions (most are happy to help when you show interest in learning something they’re passionate about) and most people would be shocked what they can actually achieve.

I’m sure the river table will turn out amazing as well! That is something I’ve wanted to try myself. I think I have enough epoxy, just need to get some slabs. A nice walnut, live edge table would be wonderful. Would make the wife happy lol, double win..

[big ticket]

Nice work gentlemen, love seeing this type of stuff.

[ClipsandVols]

These are all really cool. Great work. Also mattsgarage, you take fantastic pics.

[gowizards0]

way better than my cardboard row box

[mattsgarage]

I finally finished a project that a collector contacted me about earlier this year. He has a set of 160 PSA graded baseball cards and wanted to store them in something nice. He was happy with the finished project, which makes me happy.

[mindcycle]

Wow great stuff in here guys! Thanks for sharing!

[Giannis34fan]

Nice work guys!! Those wooden boxes look Great!!

[stalemonkey30]

Awesome work. I need to learn how to cut the dovetail joints.

I built a murphy bed recently at the request of my wife and learned a lot about finishing work. I'm still bad at it, but I learned a lot.

[packerfan4200]

Originally Posted by stalemonkey30

Awesome work. I need to learn how to cut the dovetail joints.

I built a murphy bed recently at the request of my wife and learned a lot about finishing work. I'm still bad at it, but I learned a lot.

This is all that really matters. Just keep learning and working and before too long, you’ll be a pro.

[val47]

you guys are inspiring me

[mattsgarage]

Originally Posted by stalemonkey30

Awesome work. I need to learn how to cut the dovetail joints.

I built a murphy bed recently at the request of my wife and learned a lot about finishing work. I'm still bad at it, but I learned a lot.

That's basically how I feel about every new project I do - I make a ton of mistakes but I learn each time.

The joints I used on these boxes are finger joints and they are actually pretty easy to do with a table saw and a simple jig. I have a dovetail jig for my router and I've made drawers and things with dovetails, but I find finger joints easier and faster - especially for boxes.

[Round Mound]

Really nice boxes!!!!!!