Box Making Question

[Edwin Hackleman]

In the past have made quite a few boxes using various hardwoods and even southern yellow pine. Most have been made with stock that is less than 1/2" thick. 

I recently acquired a collection of quartersawn white oak, dry as a bone and 1-1/8" thick, random widths from 4" to 8" wide. I have never used quartersawn white oak to make a box, but it looks to be excellent quality and in good shape, almost knot free. I thought I would try to make several tool boxes similar to this one that I made out of cherry about 16 years ago:

   

This tool box is 19" x 9" x 9" and includes a lift out tray. I intend to resaw the stock in half with my TS as I have done in the past and edge glue as needed. Does that seem workable? Frankly, I cannot imagine any box much stronger that white oak, especially quartersawn. Please advise.

[Gary G™]

You’re going to be very happy with this.

[Edwin Hackleman]

You’re going to be very happy with this.

Thanks Gary. Here's another Pic:

   
The tool tray lifts out and is box jointed similar to the sides. The oak would be stronger but less formal than cherry, but that might work to its favor. Several of my cherry tool boxes have "suffered" as shelf queens and never really been used in the field.

[Diandrah]

This looks great! A piece of art truly.

[Edwin Hackleman]

The basic idea to all my tool boxes is to use thin stock (less than 3/8") for most of the pierces (sides, top, and bottoms) and then build up the thickness only where needed, such as for the hinge, the handle, and the ends of the tray. That way the weight is minimized. The box will get plenty heavy enough in use when tools are stored inside it.

I recall that Woodsmith published plans for a similar but smaller box than this one years ago and used only 1/4" thick hardwood stock. I believe their box joints were single blade width, which is truly a remarkable feat. I made one of those. but since then, I have used 1/4" thick joint widths by stacking two dado blades. I still have the box joint jig that I used back then yo make it, and I still use the tool box continuously.

[rwe2156]

That is cherry not QSWO.

[Edwin Hackleman]

That is cherry not QSWO.

That's correct. As I said in post #1, I've never made a tool box using QSWO. The pics are a box that I made 16 years ago using cherry. I also said that in Post #1.

[Edwin Hackleman]

You’re going to be very happy with this.

Here are Pics of another tool box that I made during the same era using black walnut:

   

   
I really like this box, but once again, making it the same way with QSWO may be a real challenge. Does the forum think that it can be done with white oak? If not, I would elect to not waste my time trying.

[jcousins2]

Should not be a problem w/qswo. It’s really strong and very nice to work.
jerry

[Bill Wilson]

I've made dozens of small chests out of 1/2" thick red oak for our Faith Chest ministry at church.  They are 10" high, 11" wide and 23" long.  You should have no problems with the QSWO, even if it finishes out at a little less than 1/2" thick.  The ones in your pics are really nice looking.  The QSWO should really look sharp.