does anyone know a clever way to build a (wooden) box without using any nails, or screws or glue. Just by pluging the different parts together?
Is there a webpage where this is described?
thanks!
does anyone know a clever way to build a (wooden) box without using any nails, or screws or glue. Just by pluging the different parts together?
Is there a webpage where this is described?
thanks!
dovetail joint, pinned. Dave
Armin asks:
Don't know about a web page, but dovetail the sides, and make the top and botto so they slide into grooves. No artificial fasteners needed, but not particularly clenver or unusual.
Charlie Self "There are two ways of exerting one's strength: one is pushing down, the other is pulling up." Booker T. Washington
Sliding dovetail joints
Here's another way.
Cut a box joint, with interlocking fingers (tablesaw or router table jigs help). Use fairly thick timber.
Groove the bottom of the four sides, so that the base is held inset in the groove.
Assemble the box joints, trapping the base.
With a drill press (for vertical accuracy is important), drill downwards in each corner, through the interlocking fingers of the box joint. Insert a tight-fitting bamboo peg, made from a barbecue skewer or planed-down chopstick. You don't need to go all the way down, just maybe an inch for a typical jewellery box. Plane the top of the peg off flush.
To be honest, all of these are cheating. They're nailed boxes, just using wooden treenails instead of iron nails.
Find a book on traditional jointery. I have seen designs from the 18th century where each dovetail locks the one before it and when you are done you have a solid box without any fasteners that can be easily taken apart ... if you know where to start.
You will still use glue, but miller dowels are an option too.
Direct link to miller dowels is:
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