Two Ways To Make A Wood Box - FineWoodworking

Facebook Icon LinkedIn Icon Email Icon Pinterest Icon Twitter Icon X Instagram Icon Tiktok Icon YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Skip to content Video Workshop Two Ways to Build a Box Author Headshot By Matt Kenney Aug 07, 2012

In this video workshop, I’ll show you step-by-step how to make these two elegant wood boxes. The mitered box with splines is ideal for a woodworker who is just starting out. The mitered dovetail box is a Master Class technique for a seasoned woodworker who wants to test their skills. This workshop will include instructions on resawing boards to get a perfect four-corner match, cutting grooves, miters and mitered dovetails, techniques for making floating top and bottom panels to accommodate seasonal wood movement, assembly, glue up, installing hinges and hardware, building tight-fitting trays, and finishing.

Member-only Plan

Produced by: Gina Eide; Video by: Gary Junken; Editing by: Tom Olivares

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers. Newsletter Signup Sign Up

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. See all newsletters Start Watching
Videos in the Series
  • How to Make Mitered Boxes August 7, 2012 In this introductory video, Matt Kenney previews two ways to make boxes: mitered with splines and with mitered dovetails.
  • Resawing a Board for a Box August 7, 2012 In this video, you'll learn how to get a perfect four-corner match for your box.
  • Routing Miters and Grooves for a Mitered Box August 7, 2012 This video shows a router-table technique that will give you precise miters every time.
  • Cutting Mitered Dovetails for a Box August 7, 2012 In this video on mitered boxes, you'll learn a challenging new twist on dovetails.
  • Cutting the Top and Bottom Panels for a Mitered Box August 7, 2012 Learn how to make floating panels to accommodate seasonal wood movement.
  • Assembly and Glue-Up for a Mitered Box August 7, 2012 In this video on mitered boxes, you'll learn two ways to glue up a box: one with clamps and one without.
  • Installing Hinges and a Lift for a Mitered Box August 7, 2012 In this video, you'll learn how to accurately install box hinges and a shop-made ebony lift.
  • Making Tight-Fitting Trays for a Box August 7, 2012 Learn how to cut and assemble small, piston-fit trays for the inside of a mitered box.
  • A Tried-and-True Finish for a Mitered Box August 7, 2012 In this video, you'll learn how to prep the box and apply a hand-rubbed oil finish.
X X

New Feature

Fine Woodworking Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Get It All!

UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.

Start Your Free Trial

About Video Workshops

Watch our experts build a piece of furniture step-by-step on video and download a detailed project plan so you can build along.

If you're looking for a new woodworking project, try one of our video workshops. These are complete, online courses taught by some of the best woodworkers in the country, and include companion articles, project plans, and step-by-step video instruction.

View All Video Workshops

Video Workshops

View Allvideo workshops Previous Next
  • Cabinet on Stand with Tim Coleman

    This intimate video series follows legendary woodworker Tim Coleman as he designs and builds a cabinet on stand—a timeless form made famous by his teacher, James Krenov. Filmed over the…

  • Bandsaw Jigs with Michael Fortune

    Michael Fortune demonstrates his collection of bandsaw jigs and improvements, maximizing the possibilities of one of the most important machines in the shop. From an auxiliary fence that minimizes blade…

  • Queen Anne Side Chair with Dan Faia

    With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…

  • Creating full-size drawings from a museum piece

    Not everyone has the privilege of strolling into a museum and gaining hands-on access to a furniture masterpiece. However, for some fortunate individuals, and even more so for those with…

  • Make a faceted octagon with hand tools

    Michael Cullen demonstrates one of his favorite hand-tool exercises— making a perfect octagon—which tests a woodworker’s skill from material selection and careful layout to tool preparation, blade sharpening, and sawing…

  • Staining and dyeing wood with Mike Mascelli

    With a seemingly endless array of wood stains and dyes, it’s very easy to get confused and overwhelmed when adding color to your furniture. Mike Mascelli will help you understand…

  • Sharpening Fundamentals with Bob Van Dyke

    If you're not able to get your hand tools sharp, you're not going to have much success (or fun) with them. Early in my woodworking journey, I thought that everyone…

  • Turned wall shelf

    In this bite-sized video series, you'll see how Mark Gardner creates these stylish shelves that look harder to build than they are. 

  • Restoring vintage handplanes with Roland Johnson

    Woodworking expert Roland Johnson teaches you how to tear down and rebuild three classic handplanes.

  • Shaker Candle Stand with Christian Becksvoort

    He’s built dozens of round Shaker stands over four decades, so there is no one more qualified than Christian Becksvoort to demonstrate making this classic. In this seven-part video series,…

  • Contemporary Stool with a Woven Danish Cord Seat

    From joinery to parts shaping, soap finish to seat weaving, David Johnson builds a Danish-inspired stool from start to finish in a five-part series.

  • Start Woodworking: Small step stool

    Built of walnut, this elegant step stool offers beginner woodworkers some great lessons in joinery that can be easily incorporated into larger projects as their skills progress. In this Video…

  • The fundamentals of using hide glue with Patrick Edwards

    The traditional glue pot disappeared from woodshops and trade schools soon after World War I when synthetic adhesives took over, leaving later generations of woodworkers to learn this secret of…

  • Hanging Wall Cabinet with Mike Pekovich

    I teach quite a bit and this wall cabinet is probably one of my favorite things to teach. It's not that big of a piece, but it packs in a…

  • A perfect French polish finish

    In this video series, professional finisher John Coffey demonstrates the French polishing method he’s perfected after 30 years of finishing new pieces and refinishing priceless antiques.

  • Bob Van Dyke's Sharpening Series

    Bob Van Dkye The founder and director of the Connecticut Valley School of Woodworking answers questions from readers about keeping hand-tool blades sharp–with demonstrations and explanations of time-saving techniques.

View Allvideo workshops Up Next

Featured Workshop

Queen Anne Side Chair with Dan Faia

With its graceful curves, cabriole legs, and ornamental back splat, a Queen Anne side chair is a bucket list build for many woodworkers. Dan Faia had a very specific Queen…

Featured Projects & Plans

Build a Contemporary Sideboard

Chris Gochnour's sideboard combines usefulness, strength, and beauty in a contemporary case piece

Related Stories

  • Wood Block Simplifies Glue-Ups
  • Smart Method for Sanding Tight Curves
  • Cheating at the Holidays
  • Simple Projects for Gifts, Donations, or Craft Shows
Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

  • Shape Your Skills

    when you sign up for our emails
    Plus tips, advice, and special offers from Fine Woodworking. Newsletter Signup Sign Up

    Signing you up...

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. See all newsletters
  • Shop Talk Live Podcast

    Our biweekly podcast allows editors, authors, and special guests to answer your woodworking questions and connect with the online woodworking community.

  • Our favorite articles and videos

    We have created these special content collections organized to give you a deep dive into a range of topics that matter.

  • E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking

    Join our trusted experts for these in-depth, online learning experiences.

  • Sign Up for the New Woodworking Fundamentals Learn More

    Your step-by-step introduction to the craft of woodworking.

Small Projects

View All Small Projects articles
  • Wood Block Simplifies Glue-Ups
  • Smart Method for Sanding Tight Curves
  • Cheating at the Holidays
  • Simple Projects for Gifts, Donations, or Craft Shows
View All Small Projects articles Previous Next
  • SketchUp for Furniture Design Buy Now
  • Foundations of Woodworking Buy Now
Get the latest from Fine Woodworking Magazine
  • #322-Mar/Apr 2026

    • Craig Thibodeau's Magical World of Puzzle Furniture
    • Online Extras from FWW #322
    • Q&A: If you have a quality miter gauge, why bother making a wooden sled?
  • #321-Jan/Feb 2026

    • Simple Projects for Gifts, Donations, or Craft Shows
    • Online Extras from FWW Issue #321
    • Build a Glass-Top End Table
  • #320- Tools & Shops 2026

    • Layout and Storage in a Small Shop
    • Online Extras from FWW Issue #320
    • From the Editor: Setting Up for Better Work
  • #319-October/November 2025

    • Dovetailed Jewelry Chest
    • Online Extras from FWW Issue #319
    • Editor's Letter: Why No Wendell Castle?
  • #318-AUG/SEP 2025

    • Techniques for Curved Molding
    • Carved Entryway Mirror
    • Knife Hinges Made Easy

UNLIMITED membership - Get access to it all

Start Free Trial

Get instant access to over 100 digital plans available only to UNLIMITED members. Start your 14-day FREE trial - and get building!

Search Magnifying Glass Icon Search

Main Menu

  • Projects and Plans
  • How-To
  • Shop Tips
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Gallery
  • Magazine
  • Video Workshops
  • Members
  • Forum

Popular Topics

  • Design
  • Small Projects
  • Beds
  • Chairs, Benches And Stools
  • Built-ins
  • Storage And Shelves
  • Cabinets
  • Carving
  • Casework
  • Desks
  • Tables
  • Shop Storage And Furniture
  • Woodturning Projects
  • Workbenches
  • Surface Prep

More

  • TV
  • Forum
  • Blogs
  • Customer Support

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Digital Libraries
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe

Membership

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Unlimited
  • Log In

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Webinars
  • Podcasts

Events

  • Fine Woodworking Live
  • Fine Woodworking HANDS ON

Newsletter

Get woodworking tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox Newsletter Signup Go

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. See all newsletters

Follow

UNLIMITED

Become an UNLIMITED member and get it all: searchable online archive of every issue, how-to videos, Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking digital series, print magazine, e-newsletter, and more.

Start Your Free Trial

Toggle Caption Previous Next

Members get unlimited site access.

To unlock this page, Start a Free Trial.Already a member? Log in

Tag » How To Build A Wooden Box