Furnished content.
(from Lumberjocks.com)
I had 4 pieces of curly Koa just waiting for me to do something with it. A couple days ago I decided I was tired of shuffling it around form place to place and got started on it.Getting the miters cut left me with 4 pieces 6” long and I didn't want to waste any more of it so that was going to be my box size.
Unfortunately, 6” is quite a spread for a one handed lift off lid so imagination had to get busy as well. I decided to make a front handle and inset it top and bottom on the front for lid orintentation so as to keep the curly appearance symetrical.
I just happen to have another piece of Koa 3/4” wide and 10” or so long and it wasn't curly but had very prominate dark lines thru it. A 3/4” router bit on the box and some hand sanding, a little glue and 1/8” dowel holds that in place. I also installed 1/8” dowels in lieu of splines to strengthen the mitered corners. I do feel it was a wasted effort for strength but it looks nice cosmetically but I did put them front and rear for appearance sake.
The box ended up 6” square x 3 1/4” high with a walnut insert for the top, laun bottom with leather glued to the inside. I broke my cardinal rule and stained the bottom outside because it looked terrible natural color.
I used 3/16” oak inside and 3/16” higher than the btoom carcus to hold the lid in place.
Overall, if it weren't for the Koa this would be just another box and in this case the pictures are an injustice to the beauty of the curly Koa. You'll just have to take my word on this one guys – in real time, it is spectactularThanks for looking and have a GREAT day !