86 - DIY Keepsake Box from Wenge with Padauk Trays, how to make

Small Wenge Keepsake box with Padauk Trays
This is a small Wenge Keepsake Box with African Padauk trays that was a commission project for a member of our King’s Fine Woodworking Community.
It was built with corner miter joints and assembly was done mostly with CA glue.
Follow along if you’d like to see how it was done.
Special Thanks to JP Brown from Fox Hall Woodworks who helped with the editing. He is a part of our team and is invaluable. Check out his channel here: / @foxhallww311
Things used for this project:
Tools:
Grizzly Jointer - amzn.to/3j09TAk
Grizzly Cabinet Table Saw - amzn.to/3wXwzo1
Grizzly Bandsaw - amzn.to/3XUUobR
Microjig Grr-Ripper Table Saw Pushblock - amzn.to/3XQ7I1y
Push Block Set - amzn.to/3DvgyJX
Grizzly Planer - amzn.to/3x2v20l
Machinist Engineer Solid Square - amzn.to/3l22Mb2
Dewalt Bar Clamp - amzn.to/3Rgtzgd
Grizzly 12" Disc Sander - amzn.to/3wsbjH4
Festool Kapex Sliding Miter Saw - amzn.to/3DvoCdC
Respirator - amzn.to/3Iib0VR
Respirator Cartridge - amzn.to/3RVL1Ha
This is all the components of the router table. These are our links.
All Woodpeckers:
Router table top: amzn.to/40DNVEm
Router lift: amzn.to/3HyOEO9
Router table stand: amzn.to/3JzMfFM
Router table fence: amzn.to/3HVlxWG
Router motor: amzn.to/3X28PtI
On/off switch: amzn.to/3YpYMjl
MNA Core Box Router Bit Set - amzn.to/3DF4iXg
Porter-Cable Router - amzn.to/3Dvx7pb
Freud Chamfer Bit Set - amzn.to/3l8VT8e
1/4" Shank Rabbet Router Bit - amzn.to/3laZoLr
WoodRiver 6 Piece Bench Chisel Set - amzn.to/3KNUVcm
Materials:
CA Glue with Activator Bundle - amzn.to/3XnHp1q
3M Super 77 Multipurpose Spray Adhesive amzn.to/3EFV65k
Sandpaper Set 5-Inch - amzn.to/3Wygb7S
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Link to the KFW Community Woodworking group. Share pictures of your work & get help if needed. Join our Community Page. Woodworkers helping other woodworkers. Share advice, get project ideas. Free tips. Insider information. Get the best deals on lumber & tools: / kingsfinewoodworkingco...
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Purchase plans on our website: kingsfinewoodworking.com/coll...
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We love teaching the world to do woodworking.

[@sidicer33]

lesson I learned, if a mistake is made, not the end of the world, adapt. Thanks for making it look so simple man!

[@koalafan1576]

Love the video.

[@nosaltiesandrooshere7488]

👍 = there is nothing left to say! Everything perfect!

[@stevenkofoed1698]

Simply elegant! Thank you.

[@lcook0825]

What a beautiful box.

[@ryanivester5042]

Absolutely beautiful James! Wenge, Paduak, along with purple-heart are my favorite woods.

[@rtanderson2]

Putting both pieces on one side is such a simple trick! I love it!!

[@dddriller1]

glad to see you again lovely build

[@Aprendiz-de-Marceneiro]

Beautiful work! 👍👍👍

[@patmash]

Beautiful project. Your skills are very impressive.

[@j316finewoodworking6]

Always a great video and Community is also awesome. Helped this newbie make some money 👍👍🇺🇲

[@JohntheSchreiner]

This JP sounds like a good guy. I'll have to check out his channel. Awesome project. Looks great!

[@smithsoncreationshandcraft5770]

Very beautiful James!!!

[@jacksonvandenberghe9420]

definitely getting shop envy

[@Colinmac1]

Nice looking box love the wood

[@guitarboy656]

Beautiful work, really helped, I’m going to try a hand cut dovetail version of this!

[@TheCraftyWeiner]

My day is complete! Oh happy day. Missed you brother....beautiful as always!

[@StanFerris]

Nicely done!

Congratulation...fantástico!

[@nathansilver9190]

Hi James, Thanks for another great video. I've seen every one of your videos at least 4 times....no joke. I'm finally getting my shop completed, and my first priority is to build the extreme torsion assembly table. I have your plans, and of course, I've watched that series....many times. Thanks again, I love your channel.

[@johnnyking2965]

Thanks for the education on the wood. I never would have thought that wood could cause that much of a health issue.

[@sgrisez]

Everyone else: "I messed up my project!!" James: "Look at this nice feature. It's now a decorative groove." That's amazing how a chamfer can blend the grain like that, too. Great project!

[@Finnefever]

Cool little box

[@samuelroberts334]

Beautiful

[@andrewpowell6457]

Lovely Just Lovely

[@DuncanEdwards.]

Excellent

[@koalafan1576]

Oooo James uses all American Woodpecker tools. 🇺🇸

[@glenngoodale1709]

Great teaching ...

[@scottpetrie8707]

Awesome!

[@zavoina]

Another great video with tips. It sounds like if this wood is sold in Cali it would have a lot of disclosures with it. :)

[@mike081270]

Just ordered my Hammer. One of my favourite channels. Keep up the great work

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi Mike, thank you very much!

[@tigacub]

Very nice

[@lcook0825]

I watch all your videos and they are very interesting. Unfortunately I am retired and live on a very strict budget so I can’t afford one of the Thor hammers. They are beautiful.

[@josephkrug8579]

That is really cool, but dangerous dust woods make me happy to work with more normal "safer" ones. Granted I still do use a respirator and do proper dust collection. :) This is a cool project. I really enjoy how you cover all the steps.

[@atteljas]

Ive done many boxes and to be honest I never thought of using butt joint like done here on the drawer. Just excellent!

[@borealpatriot1502]

I'd better stay away from wenge. I'm crazy enough as it is. Great video! Why would someone dislike a woodworking project video? People are so strange.

[@jajablonsky]

Beautiful keepsake box James. I really enjoy all your videos. Are you still planning on doing the training project videos you started last year? I was looking forward to some of the projects your were planning for the training/classes. Thanks again for your excellent videos.

[@royaallfd220]

nice work سبحان الله وبحمده سبحان الله العظيم

[@mkdesignsfinewoodworking]

The pictures don’t do this box justice. You did a fantastic job on this one my friend. Yay! JP got a shoutout!

[@jcsrst]

I see you got a new Kapex. You should do a review ; ) Thanks for the video!

[@onlyonweekends5424]

Gotta have the right tools.

[@hazembata]

I dig it.

[@dddriller1]

also happy fathers day too

[@jamescalvert284]

The groove that you put on the bottom did you cut about 1/16 inch per cut until you got to the depth you were looking for I hope I here from you I love your videos I have learned so much from you

[@installer1571]

Hello James I just wanted to say you do extremely beautiful work have a lot of attention to detail but what I would like to see if you could add to your videos some sort of idea of how long these tasks and full projects take from start to finish so we have a better understanding of the time it takes to do these projects when we understand these where less likely to rush 3 things and make mistakes because when you watch it on a KZbin video it looks like the whole project was done in one afternoon thanks mate

[@sawdustwoodchips]

another great vid. James how did you engrave the logo on the hammers?

[@scottmoore5101]

Hi nice work! Would you mind sharing what grit you are using on the disk sander. Thank you

[@marlowej6302]

Hi James, Great work and great video! I was very interested in your band saw fence. Is it an after market accessory?

[@ClevesBackyardWoodworking]

Nice box! How do you know how much your cutting the rabbet on the lid face down? you can't see and there was no stops

[@rexcoley9963]

Please tell me how you did the dados for the lid and top of the box. Is it trial and error or is there a formula. I've gone through more wood trying without luck. Your box is beautiful...elegant but simple. Really great video!

[@geckosethpe]

When and why did you get rid of the Bosch Miter Saw?

[@bjmgraphics617]

Will lacquer keep padauk or any color wood from fading or turning brown? thanks for your video.

[@johngunning2123]

I really enjoy these videos they are so inspiring. When I watch you apply the spray lacquer. I can't help but think you really need a "Lazy Susan", so you can spin the workpiece around towards you. There are heaps of second-hand ones in stores around Australia. It would make your life so much easier and they sell for cents over here. Keep up the good work!

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

That’s a great idea!

[@jimcooney9019]

very nice job I have a question everytime I buy super glue I use it once and then it goes bad does it matter which brand I buy but it goes bad I make sure that it's sealed but it goes bad is it the brand or is it me I buy the cheap stuff from Walmart or Home Depot or Lowe's and it still goes bad does anyone have the same problems PS HELP...............................

[@nickkropat8857]

I have been told that Red Cedar can also be quite toxic if exposed to a large quantity of the dust - I have been working with it for years with no ill effects, but I always make sure to wear a mask just in case.

[@26tp]

Hang on. Where is the video bomber?

[@codybryant8684]

James could you show us your sharpening method for your chisels?

[@aral2dmax]

Thanks for the warning , I will never work with wingait wood . How long do you have to wait when applying acetone to the wood to apply the glue ?

[@86blejd]

how much would a box like that cost with shipping to uk?

[@megavolts6524]

Beautiful! What viscosity of CA glue would one use for best results?

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi, medium is perfect for this.

[@lotustreedesign]

I have the bosch glide 12" and am not the happiest with it. I am thinking of switching to the Kapex. Looks like that's exactly what you did. Are you happy with the festool? I've read about the motor burning out so, I've been hesitant. Do you have any concerns with it thus far?

[@zordanxxx]

Nice ! I just wish you would've kept the green tone the exterior had before the finish.

[@jeffgauger]

James, I am starting to make boxes and am interested in how you attached top by using rabbeting bit. Would you have a link to the router bit you used. Also have you covered this before in another video? Thank you for content you provide.

[@ryderscustomcreations3665]

I’ve been scouring the internet today for a way to attach a box lid like you did! Thanks

[@VinceEspositoJr]

How does the accelerator reach the CA once the joint is closed?

[@Brian-dr2yi]

Next time try taping it against a fence. Makes things much easier.

[@philquinn73]

How long will the CA glue hold? 5 years, 10 years, 15?

[@RedAngelS60R]

Why not titebond glue?

[@hobbyturner6634]

Great little box ! Where's the link to the Lathe Disk Sander? Am I missing it?

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi sorry about that. Here it is. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ2xhamcnMmhjsU

[@kathywinn6869]

Can you please tell us the dimensions of this box? Thank you.

[@LiloUkulele]

would like to explore gluing the tray pieces in place, with a wax paper barrier between the tray and the box...any thoughts?

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

It will work. I’ve done something similar. It’s just a bit tedious

[@oscrfsh]

What bit is used for the rabbit for lid and bottom

[@TheMusicalKnokcers]

25:08 is there a way to get rid of the holes ?

[@Bobby9093]

How and where do you find the ranch wood?!?!?!

[@williamwoodhams1494]

Might be in another video, but, what is the make and model of your bandsaw? What is the blade?

[@1302Boris]

Выглядит конечно красиво, но можно было бы внутренние вставки запилить под45° ,

[@benjaminellis556]

Where do you order your wood from?

[@TheSaboteur99]

Why did you remove the old vid?

[@MrRahluv357]

What were the sizes of the pieces for the box?

[@NASTYcraftX]

Wait... why was it green for a minute there?

[@thestime]

I guess it works, but I don't see how the spray part of the CA glue penetrates through to the glue on the inside of the joint. Gorgeous box!

[@richardlug6139]

You really do not need it to or want it to. It will set the exposed glue fast so you will not have hold it any longer. The accelerator actually decreases the strength of the bond. A you tuber did a test on using it and not applying it. The bond was stronger with not using the accelerator. I can not remember the guys name so I do not have a link.

[@wb_finewoodworking]

That box is beautiful. The contrast between the two woods is beautiful. Most woodworkers could easily follow your video and make a box like this in their choice of woods. Great project James.

[@markshen7651]

What was the thickness of the tray pieces??

[@MikeyDonna]

Is there some reason you didn’t miter the corners of your trays ?

[@LiloUkulele]

sure wish there was a way to preserve the Padauk color...always goes brown

[@ivokolarik8290]

👍

[@tomroeder7348]

I don't think I've heard / read an explanation as to why you chose CA glue over wood glue for this? Just ease of use/quick setup time?

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi Tom, it’s just a really good choice because of the wood. Wenge has a porosity that lends itself to great bonding with medium viscosity CA. However, Titebond would still work, no problem. I just wanted to use the CA since the opportunity presented itself.

[@georgemelendez1698]

Hi James, What grit of sandpaper are you using on your disk sander?

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi. I use anywhere from 80-120 grit depending on how much wood I have to remove, and how hard the wood is. Probably 100 grit is the most common for me.

[@georgemelendez1698]

@@KingsFineWoodworking So I'm assuming 60 grit is probably too aggressive to just flush down the sides of some of the keepsake boxes you make. I ask, because I just got a 12" disk sander and it came with 60 grit and I wanted to know if I should change it. Thanks, George

[@jakehosfelt9347]

Are butcher blocks worth it?

[@ta1ntv1lle39]

in your experience, how long do you have until the padauk turns brown? is it in the 5 year range like purple heart?

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Well, I’ve never heard of the 5 year range. I have a Purpleheart Box and a bowl here that I built in 1985. That was 34 years ago. They are both the exact same beautiful purple that they were when I made them, and they look the same as the fresh Purpleheart I use today. Now, they won’t last in the sun that long. In fact in full bright sun they will start to brown in a couple of years. After that they’ll turn gray. Padauk is pretty much the same way. Although we do see a darkening reddish tone in the first year or so, it stabilizes. Then if you keep it out of the sun, it’s good for a long time. I am a chemist & I have written articles on the oxidation of both of these species if you are interested. And steps that you can take to greatly slow that down.

[@ta1ntv1lle39]

@@KingsFineWoodworking def interested, i was reading about it on the wood database... type that in to google and a website will pull up... i was also talkin to an older gentleman at a sawmill that deals purple heart, he told me the exact opposite, said they degrade with age and will eventually turn brownish gray, and that purple heart will actually brighten up when set in the sun for an hour or two

[@koalafan1576]

@@KingsFineWoodworking I would love to read your articles on this.

[@koalafan1576]

Can you give me some advice on re-sawing on the bandsaw please? I tried resawing some maple and it started moving and it was all messed up.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi Martin, look up Alex Snodgrass. He is an expert and very respected teacher on this subject. He has many videos on it, and he’ll show you how to do a tune-up on your bandsaw to make it re-saw perfectly!

[@koalafan1576]

@@KingsFineWoodworking I don’t own a shop. I live in an apartment so I use a community shop I pay a membership fee to. But I will definitely check out the videos. Thank you.

[@C_L_Thomas]

James, instead of winging it, why not use your golden ratio caliper?

[@Sebastopolmark]

I was thinking the same thing

[@kylefisher4883]

Is that the youtube survey song

[@michaelt7191991]

What ever happened to the courses? You stopped only after some basic info about tools and such. Are you going to go back to those videos? Thanks

[@borealpatriot1502]

All things considered, I don't believe we (as a community) are sufficiently supporting James' efforts via Patreon. If you are, thank you. If you aren't, please consider doing so.

[@kokane1888]

Hey Mr King do you have any of your mallets left

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Hi, Yes we sure do. You can go online and pick whatever you like. They are all in stock. Thanks! James kingsfinewoodworking.com/collections/thors-hammer-woodworking-mallets

[@kokane1888]

Ok thanks

[@mattroome5264]

I always thought that wenge was pronounced "wenj" and after watching this video I feel like my whole life has been a lie.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

Haha! For the first few years I used it, I thought that too.

[@teekaypew6538]

Glue and padauk fingers look like they’ve been munching on Cheetos.

[@KingsFineWoodworking]

That's for sure.

[@austinveatch6993]

Sycamore is the same way. Just awful to breath.

[@georgegeorgiev2610]

Why not cut the inner pieces at 45degrees, its more professional...

[@Bakamoichigei]

Soooo... Wenge splinters are basically guaranteed to cause infection, and long-term exposure to the dust can cause neurological damage. I'm gettin' a real sense of enmity toward human life, here.... Let me guess, it's native to Australia? 😏

[@2shoestoo]

I love getting CA glue on my fingers, it like sticking your tongue on a frozen metal pole 🤢