band saw box start and sword

[stephenD]

I gave the band saw box project a go this weekend. It is cut from a mesquite log my son gave me. I have only sanded enough to take off the ruff stuff. I will pretty it up later.
The sword is something I have messed with for about 10 years. I traded a walking staff for the blade and made the handle and sheath from red oak. It is not something I want to use, just something to fool with.

[weiner9696]

Love the box and sword.

Will love to see the finished box.

George

[Hawaiilad]

Nice start to the box Stephen. What size blade did you use and how hard was the mesquite? We have a tree here in the Islands that is like mesquite but unless it is a very old tree, it will not be very large around. So how do you like working with the band saw boxes?

[stephenD]

Larry, I tried a 1/8" blade to cut the curved part and a 1/2 for the straight cuts. Next time I will use the 1/4" for the whole thing I think.
It was hard cutting with the fine tooth skinny blade. I think I toasted it.
This is my second try at one of these boxes. The first was with the scroll saw on a piece of 2x4.
Like most stuff, it will take some time to figure out how to be successful at this.
I forgot to cut off the back of the thing before I cut out the drawer. I'm gona put something back there to stop it from going all the way thru.

[Hawaiilad]

Stephen, I have forgotten to cut parts off of the myself. I was cocky one day after not being in the shop for several weeks and jumped right in cutting a couple boxes when I noticed I forgot to cut the backs off but instead I cut the front off the box...that sure didn't come out very good. I use a 10 teeth per inch 3/16" blade that works great.

[Phil J]

Looking good! Mesquite is some beautiful wood actually. A lot of folks associate it with wood for grilling, which it is good for, but makes beautiful furniture and other things also.

Phil J.