[Bob Carriere]

Would love to see some larger and higher resolution pics of the boxes.

....and in particular the hardware.... I understand the handles are still a stock item ......

I have a jig at home for doing dovetails but butter box finger joints are even easier as long as you have a good sharp router bit. Did you use pine or wide planks of tulip wood (North Carolina poplar)

In previous emails there is mention of the boxes being "wax finished" .... I wonder if someone can offer more information.... are we talking parafine wax of real bees wax...??? simply desolved in hot naphta and painted on in multi coats and let air dry....

Just be careful how you heat up the naphta....... method of choice is outside....really outside not hear the open door of the house garage.....using a deep fryer purchased cheap at a flea market and using it as a water bath NO OPEN FLAME...... remember water boils at 212 funny degrees naphta at much less than that..... would need to look it up.

Carbon teth will also disolve wax but is now nearly impossible to find.

There are a number of other wax that could be added to make the finish harder and most of them available from Lee Valley..... Carnuba wax flakes are an example..... will blend with other waxes easily under some heat.....

Your success may encourage others to make their own. I know I will look into making a few for my own 19 set...... hides a modern 12 v. battery beautifully.

The top hinges are probably the most work/time intensive...... did you stencil the lettering or burn it into the wood...?

Bob C.

PS...... the wood could be darkened and aged using a weak diluted solution of black walnut shell husk mixed in isopropyl alcool....... can actually make pine look like walnut...... there is another chemical potassium permangamate (spelling ????) a purple crystal..... used for giving a maple musket/rifle stock a nice dark finish and if you over do it pickling vinegar will lighten the color...... obviously will need to search the web for more precise information. Caution it will stain your skin for weeks...!!!