Hand-cut dovetail keepsake box

How to make it

1. 

   1

   Cut and gauge

   Cut 2 sides at 9 in and 2 ends at 5 in with square ends. Set the marking gauge to the board's thickness and scribe a line around both ends of every piece.

2. 

   2

   Lay out the tails

   Mark 3 tails on each end of the long sides with the 1:8 marker, half pins at the edges. X out the waste so you never cut the wrong side.

3. 

   3

   Saw the tails

   Saw on the waste side of each line down to the scribed line. Remove the waste with the coping saw and pare to the line with a chisel from both faces.

4. 

   4

   Transfer to the pins

   Stand an end piece in the vise. Lay its matching tail board on top, lined up, and knife around each tail.

5. 

   5

   Cut the pins

   Saw on the waste side of the knife lines. Chop out the waste with chisel and mallet, working halfway from each face.

6. 

   6

   Dry fit and pare

   Tap the joint together with a block. Shiny spots show what's rubbing. Pare those a hair at a time.

7. 

   7

   Glue up

   Glue the joints, clamp lightly and measure the diagonals. Equal diagonals mean it's square.

8. 

   8

   Finish the box

   Plane the joints flush, glue on the plywood bottom and sand. Wipe on oil and stick felt pads underneath.