Toochaos Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Hi guys this is my first post and I'm having some difficulty, I'm making a small box designed for cards. I made a prototype since this is for a friend, and i found a few issues, but my main problem is getting the top correct, it is 3 sides due to the angle of the lid all mitered together but everything slip and slide so getting a nice tight joint just isn't happening. I really have no idea how to put decent pressure on the joint without it slipping apart ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 There is a trick using a pin or tiny brad nail. You drive the nail halfway in to one side and then cut the head off to a point. When you push the pieces together they should grab. Apart from that it is often a case of cutting corner blocks and using cauls. Corner blocks just have and inside corner cut in them to capture the outside corner of you project. Cauls are anything to keep the center from popping up. It could even be a book on a small lid. Just be careful to use something like wax, wax paper, or packaging tape so you do not glue anything to your project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Or you can use a small band clamp, or even a few heavy duty rubber bands. The important part is that there's equal pressure on all four joints at the same time, otherwise you get exactly what you experienced...slip and slide. On small boxes like that, that don't really see much abuse and don't require super-terrific joint strength, you can use a little trick where you just use tape. I think I remember Marc using this trick somewhere long ago. Let me see if I can find it. Hold please... ...Here it is. Skip to 11 minute mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbutcher74 Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 You can lay all the pieces out on a flat surface, miter to miter. Then run a strip of painters tape or two across them connecting them tightly Apply some glue on the miters and roll them up. There are several videos on You Tube that show how to do this. April Wilkerson shows how to do this in her video named Garden of Innocence.It works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 I've used the tape method often and it works well. And, welcome to the forums! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 I have used the tape method with clear packing tape. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toochaos Posted September 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 The issue with the rubber band method is that the lid only has 3 sides, but I did use that method for the base I think that the tape method might work though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted September 14, 2014 Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 The picture makes all the difference. Tape for the win, disregard my post entirely. I was envisions pieces all in one plane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 The issue with the rubber band method is that the lid only has 3 sides, but I did use that method for the base I think that the tape method might work though. I like the piece! Let us know how it works out for you.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toochaos Posted September 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 thanks will do i made so many mistakes on that piece it was good to do it, so i know i need to cut all the Miters before glueing anything, as i didn't so had to fix the big holes, also learned while walnut is beautiful glue just soaks right into the grain ruining the finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPCV_Woodworker Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 thanks will do i made so many mistakes on that piece it was good to do it, so i know i need to cut all the Miters before glueing anything, as i didn't so had to fix the big holes, also learned while walnut is beautiful glue just soaks right into the grain ruining the finish. The tape trick helps a lot with this. Just make sure to spread the glue evenly, and not within 1/32nd of the outside edge of the miter and things will go more smoothly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Also be careful about the inside. Sanding that isn't fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted September 15, 2014 Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Will the lid be made of a different wood, as in your prototype, or will it be the same wood throughout? If the same throughout, although tricky with this design, sometimes the lid can be made as part of the box and then cut off afterward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toochaos Posted September 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2014 Im actually changing the wood to be hickory on the bottom (instead of mahogany), because i have a lot of hickory laying around, then the top will be Purpleheart because my friend is a big fan of purple., the issue with that is i have too resaw the purple heart down as i can only get it in 4/4 stock, and i have to do this on a table saw so i need to get some more tools to get it to come out right. and I believe I used way to much glue on the previous attempt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wouldwurker Posted September 16, 2014 Report Share Posted September 16, 2014 I have used the tape method with clear packing tape. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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