This demo will cover my process for creating an end grain box with a contrasting wood inlay “framed” by the rim of the lid that is visible from both the top and the underside of the lid. (In contrast to many inlaid box lids that are only visible from the top of the lid).

In addition to the special steps needed to create that effect, I will cover all of the usual topics for end-grain box making such as:

• Hollowing in to end grain with the spindle gouge and scrapers
• Getting the fit of the lid just right. (The box will have the typical over-fitting lid where a tenon in the base of the box fits inside a flange in the box lid). I’ll start with a tight fit to be able to hold the box lid on to the base for shaping the box as one unit, and then later I’ll dial the fit in along the spectrum of possible fits such as the Tupperware-style hard “plop” to a softer vacuum fit that while still not loose, requires much less force to open.
• Design considerations such as making the grain look continuous from lid to base and making the join between the lid and the base look intentional by adding a light v-groove, or disguising it with a feature such as a small bead.