It had been 20 years, but Jake still had his dovetail box.
His grandpa had given it to him on his 18th birthday. Now the box’s full of Jake’s new family photos. One day, he hopes to pass the dovetail custom box on to one of his sons.
If you’re looking for a woodworking project that makes a timeless present, then you should check out dovetail joints. When you take your skills to the next level and master dovetail joints, you’ll be able to make some of the coolest boxes.
Why would you want to make or gift a dovetail custom box? Read on to find out.
Take Your Skills to a New Level
One of the first reasons to make a dovetail custom box is that you’ll get to discover the joy of dovetail joints. Unlike traditional joints that can break, dovetail joints are extra secure. They’re the perfect choice when attaching drawers to the front of the drawer box.
How exactly does a dovetail joint work? A dovetail marker will help you layout the box.
Using interlocking fan-shaped pieces, the wood holds itself together. Precise chiseling can create the notches that make up the joint. The notches are pins and tails in the woodworking world.
One of the best parts is that a dovetail joint doesn’t require any hardware to hold it in place. Each piece of wood should perfectly fit together.
The woodworking technique of creating these joints can be challenging to master. However, once you learn the basics, you’ll be able to improve your dovetail joints over time.
When you have fully mastered dovetail joints, you’ll be able to make all sorts of fun projects. You could make a hand-cut dovetail box, dovetail drawer boxes, and more.
Embrace the Joy of Woodworking
Another reason to make dovetail gift boxes is that you’ll be learning a valuable skill. Woodworking is a real-world skill that can become more than a hobby. If you wind up loving woodworking, you could even turn it into a lucrative side hustle.
You could eventually sell your woodworking projects online. You can even take your dovetail custom boxes to nearby shops to see if they are interested in buying your goods. At the end of the day, you could make money doing something you love.
Give a Timeless Gift
During the holidays, Americans wind up spending an average of $1,000 on gifts. Unfortunately, many of the things you can buy for people wear out over time. Either the item loses its appeal, becomes forgotten, and breaks down as the years go by.
Dovetail custom boxes don’t have the same problem. When you get somebody a dovetail custom box, you’re giving them a gift that they can cherish year after year.
The timeless present will serve as a reminder of how special they are to you. These boxes make especially great gifts for family members.
Take things one step further by engraving a special message on the dovetail custom box. You could include a symbol, a favorite quote, or even a single word. Everything you can do to customize the dovetail custom box will make it that much more special.
Inspire Others to Learn
Have you ever seen somebody accomplish a big goal and feel inspired in the process? Sometimes, all we need to spark our creativity is proof that great things are possible.
If you know somebody in your life who could use a little pick me up, try making them a dovetail custom box. When they find out that you made the box from scratch, without any woodworking skills, they’re sure to be impressed.
You’ll be able to inspire the gift recipient, showing them that anything is possible! To document your dovetail custom box-making journey, we suggest taking photos throughout the process.
Start with day one, and photograph all of your materials. Every day as the box progresses, you can take new pictures to show how it’s coming along.
Include these photos with the box when you give it as a gift. It’ll serve as a reminder that instant gratification isn’t the only way to find happiness. Instead, hard work and dedication can build a fortune.
Get Creative With Your Design
Who said that all dovetail boxes have to look the same? It’s entirely up to you the size, style, and overall feel you want your box to have.
For instance, if you’re taking a walk on the wild side, try using zebra wood and redwood to create unique visuals. The striped wood can make up most of the box, with the redwood taking up the center of the lid.
Are you naturally artistic? After making the dovetail box, you can use special wood pencils to create designs on the lid. You can even do the creation of the sides and bottom too.
Easy to Source Materials
Another reason to make a dovetail custom box is that you’ll always have plenty of supplies. Wood is readily available and easy to find. As long as you’re not buying the most expensive type of wood, you can even find a great deal.
Here’s a shortlist of some of the best woods for wooden gift ideas:
- Ash
- Cherry
- Butternut
- Hard maple
- Mahogany
Different woods will give your dovetail custom box a unique look and texture. For instance, ashwood has a gray-brown color. The pronounced grain will provide your box, of course, texture that makes it extra durable.
If you want your dovetail custom box to have a nice reddish-brown color, you should consider using hard maple wood. The light reddish-brown colors will look wonderful across the faintly-grained wood. Hard maple is moderately hardwood, and it also finishes exceptionally well.
Gifting a Dovetail Box
There you have it! These are some of the top reasons to make and gift a dovetail box. Whether you’re new to woodworking or consider yourself a pro, dovetail custom boxes can be the perfect project.
Be patient with yourself as you learn the intricacies of the joints. It may take some practice, but you’ll be able to make a beautiful wooden creation with time.
Remember to choose a wood that will have the color and finish that you want the box to have. And have fun! For more ways to have fun, check out the rest of our website.
