Getting a wooden latch to feel right.
Marking out the latch for three watch and jewelry boxes. This part took time and really put my patience to the test. I enjoyed it, and I’m happy with both the result and the precision.
Masur birch, mahogany, and cherry.
Hand-machined ebony latch with a small metal spring. This clip shows the birch and mahogany builds and how the wooden mechanism is fitted and constructed.
Each latch is adjusted by hand until the movement feels right.
Aiming for the same precision as the watches that will live inside. It’s tricky, and not really possible in wood that moves and has its own life. But that’s what I’m working toward.
#WatchBox #JewelryBox #Horology #woodbox
Making bridle joints for the lids on these oak boxes.
The client wanted exposed joinery and a very minimal design, so I thought this joint fit the piece well, simple and strong.
I used the table saw to cut the slots with an old jig I found laying around in the workshop. I actually made it years ago when I first started woodworking for cutting dovetails, but it worked perfectly here too.
Good reminder to never throw away old jigs.
Cut the tenons on the pantorouter and fitted everything by hand after that. The boxes are now on their way to Montenegro
Tea cabinet, 2022. Cherry and birch.
Made during my time at @capellagarden
First time making tambour doors, ended up doing many more after this.
It ended up in London, which feels like the right place for a tea cabinet 🫖
Shaping the handles to get the balance right between looks, strength, and feel.
Running them over the jointer almost like a shaper, stop clamped to the fence so every piece comes out the same. Was a bit worried about the tearout so I kept the last passes light and flipped every piece so the grain worked in my favour.
I used the Bessey clamps for the glue-up and made 5 boxes and a prototype of this kind. The client wanted something simple, but there’s a lot behind it to make it feel right, look good, and last.
The client is an architect, so it was a fun process working out the design together.
Bessey clamps used:
-BESSEY TGA10-135 Special Edition
-Bessey K Body REVO KRE80-2K
Had these rough mahogany cuts sitting in the workshop for a couple of years. Finally finished them up to try out a new latch. This is just a prototype, practicing different latches and case designs at the moment. Might make some more refined ones down the line 🪵
