I am pleased with the outcome:
Easy access, and most of the guides are now in one place:
— Al Navas

Woodworking with passion
By Al Navas
I love working with wood, and sharing here on the blog. I also love designing items that my clients will love having in their homes and offices. Please let me know if you need a special piece to share with your loved ones. Freelance, Legal, and Community Interpreter. Love photography.
Beautiful creation Al!
Some of you folks treat your tools very well. (esp. you and Kari)
Now, can I guess that the family’s heirloom silver cutlery is stored away in a plastic tray inside a hardboard drawer? 🙂
Bob,
Just how did you know about the cutlery??? That is funny!
Actually, Bob, it is NOT. We have quite a collection. The Brass and Bronze-ware with rosewood handles is stored in a gorgeous box that is lined with cushioned velvet. The true silver pieces are in tarnish-preventing cloth sacks, placed carefully in wooden trays. The old collected mismatched pieces that we had silver-plated are in maple divided trays, as are the everyday usage pieces (about 8 different sets) . . . . and I sort, clean and count regularly.
That’s good to hear Sandy.
There are a lot of woodworkers that treat their tools really well and the other stuff not so much. Yet, from having seen pictures on the blog of your own beautiful (and well organized) work, I was pretty secure in knowing the family heirlooms are well cared for. Just had to poke Al a bit.
All the best,
Al, nice job on the box. I enjoy your site and your work. One question as I learn from you. What precautions were taken to avoid blow out with the solid slab in the frame on the top of this box to during potential expansion ?
David,
Thanks! To avoid expansion issues with the curly maple top, it is essential to make the groove deep enough, such that there is about 1/32″ to 1/16″ expansion space all around the maple. This was a bit tricky, as I also had to consider the dimension of the lip that traps the top in the cherry frame. But a dry fit under clamp pressure will allow taking measurements; you can then cut the bottom lip accurately, after machining/routing the groove.
beautyfully useful, terrific box Al
Thanks, Julio!