Part 1: Finding the wood to get started, and deciding what type of wood would be best for the box you are planning to make.
1. First of all you will need a pattern or drawing of the box you plan to make and the exact measurements of the box, so you will know just how much wood is needed. Always allow an extra 10%, because you will still need to sand the wood flat and laminate the boards. Patterns can be found at wood craft store, books on box making, woodworkers and craft magazines and even online by searching for patterns.
2. You can find most woods at your local specialty wood or lumber store, kiln dried wood is excellent for making band saw jewelry boxes. And in some cases you can use logs that have been air-dried for about one season in a dry place, like under your deck or in your garage. You will want to elevate it, so it will dry evenly and slowly so it doesn’t split, a cool dry place is ideal for that.
3. If, you are a first timer to making band saw boxes, then you might want to start with a less expensive wood like pine, birch, alder or even oak is a great wood to work with. Keep in mine that hard; dense wood is usually heavy and the heavier the box is going to be. Join me next week for the continuing series, part 2, choosing your pattern.
