I made a wooden box from firewood with hand tools only

A simple little dovetailed box made from birch firewood. I use a scrubplane and a jackplane to flatten one side of, before riving off a plank using a chisel. Since the pieces are short, the jackplane is used to square up the sides. I was lucky to find som really straight pieces with very even grain. When rived, the grain stays parallel to the sides, making it very easy to plane in any direction.
I use a shop made shooting board with a Veritas shooting plane to square the ends of the boards.
The dovetails are cut with a progressive pitch Dovetail saw from Lie Nielsen. It is filed 16ppi and progressively decreases to 9ppi.
The waste is removed using a fret saw (often called a Jewelers saw)
The tails and pins are refined using chisels.
I finished it with some shellac, but it turned out way too yellow. I have since removed and reapplied the finish. This time with a lighter shellac.
No machines or power tools were used for this project :-)
Hope you like it.
Feel free to subscribe!
Tools used:
Scrubplane
Jackplane
Blockplane
Shootingplane
Chisels
Marking gauge
Dovetail saw
Crosscut saw
Fret saw
Mallet
Dovetail marker

[@coolinken]

Some will look at the title and say "it's just a box." Others, like me, will watch this video and be awestruck by the master-lever craftsmanship. Beautiful work Sir.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much!

[@apoppe3]

I second the notion that this is just plain awesome. I made 2 boxes for like 75 dollars for my grandma. And you can get a couple of manufactured ones for 5 bucks. Earlier I tried hand carved dovetails but those pieces of wood went for a different purpose. Que sera sera 😂

[@frenzykitty]

Amazing. And don't they say making a good box is a foundation skill for all good woodworkers?

[@boesjwoelie]

Just a box... People who say that probably never tried to actually make one

[@epicoutdoor5795]

I read the title as "firewood from dovetail wood." And though that isn't a particularly special skill😂

[@davidjehl4739]

Using the saw like a marking knife for the dovetail is really nice! Thank you!

[@bigbird2451]

I once took a nice square prism piece of oak firewood and polished it on the five sides to a 2000 grit. Leaving the one raw bark side untouched of course.

[@stankolodin5586]

That veritas shooting plane looking kinda worth it now.

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, I like it and use it quite a lot. I guess it is kind of a luxury tool, but I think it is worth it. If I didn’t have one, I might have considered the Lie Nielsen version. I think it is even heavier, which is good in my opinion. One of the really good things about this Veritas plane, is that it is very easy to set the blade straight and thus it is not a hassle to resharpen often.

[@davegoldy1025]

The first split is amazing!

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks, this wood was very straight and easy to split!

[@josh-_-_-]

The first split is actually unbelievable. I put so much effort in sawing boards which are not nearly as plane. The amount of planing i need before i can start the actual work is is ridiculous. Well done.

[@michaelballinger6419]

Never seen dovetails marked with a saw like that before. Its really tricky to plane firewood particularly if it has been kiln dried. You've really mastered the angles on your tools for each task! Super video

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much! The wood I used is air dried (for a long time). I learned the "marking dovetails with the saw"-thing from Rob Cosman. But I think I came up with the jig myself :-)

[@vnvet2282]

Im just learning to cut dovetails. Very interesting way of marking the tail boards with the saw. Never seen this done before. And I have not seen anyone chisel out the waste with boards stacked and offset from one another in this manner. Not just the skill involved but the imaginative way this box was made is very impressive and informative. Some people are amazing.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much! I got the idea to mark the pins with a saw from Rob Cosman. I think the stacking of the boards was something I picked up from Chris Becksvoort or Frank Klausz.

[@robinmarwick1982]

I like the way you mark your pins before removing the tail waste. A beautiful project always seems so much more of an achievement when it's made from reclaimed or saved wood. I'm very envious of your hand tool skills...thanks great video.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much! :-)

[@andybutler2291]

There are boxes ... and then there are beautiful little works of art like this. And shown in such an informative yet restful video. Top work.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that 😊

[@carlschultz1538]

I've bought firewood for this very purpose! You've inspired me to keep at it! Thank you

[@Schnekkern]

Great! Good luck, hope you build something nice!

[@JimmyCapricorn77]

The craftsmanship behind this box is amazing. The skill I hope to obtain one day.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much. I have to admit that it is mostly easier than it looks. Good sharp tools really help 😃

[@PhillMagGamerDad]

Can we all appreciate how this gentleman's collection of handtools probably cost more than the average persons power tools? It's an incredible show of craftsmanship, but arguably outside the reach of most DIY woodworkers. Also, where I come from, firewood for sure does not look like that 😅

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you! I see a lot of much better craftsmanship with lesser tools, but I have to admit that the quality of the tools really help, for me. Many of the tools in this video are really expensive, but all my tools are not like that. The old Stanley, for example, was a flea market find many years ago. It does have a fancy blade from Veritas, though. Same is true for several of my saws and other things. I purchased the tools over many years, and most of them while my local currency was still strong compared to the US dollar. A little here and a little there. One big difference, compared to power tools; My hand tools will probably retain their value much, much better than their power tool counterparts. Because of that, it feels more like an investment. If I need money, I could probably sell many of them for the same amount I payed. Sometimes more. There.. That's my self justification :-D As for the Birch firewood, there is a lot of it here in Norway. The only hardwood that is very readily available.

[@Andrea-bu3vn]

Thank you it was very relaxing to see your work!😊

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much!

[@hardshellwoodworks]

I really appreciate your video and the work involved! Amazing piece and cool to watch! Thanks for sharing your talent!

[@salih.97]

Added to the to do list. Great job🎉

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊

[@johnroberts3723]

This proves that you have mastered the art of using hand tools which is quite a rare thing today.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you! I don’t think I am anywhere near mastery, but at least getting a little closer with each project :-)

[@lujitsu1251]

Holy moly. Unreal. Great job.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@warren8534]

Beautiful, such patience.

[@Erth]

🎉 you are inspiring! Great video for try! Thanks 🙏🏼

[@jthadcast]

pure gold, can't wait for my firewood to dry

[@farmgrowncountrystrong]

Looks nice, love the effort put into it!

[@saulosoare]

I love these videos, please keep making them

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much! I will try to make more videos soon!

[@KillberZomL4D42494]

Such a cute box.

[@jcbrook9463]

Nice and very relaxing to watch.

[@cecilcapriolijr3572]

Sweet! Picked up some tips. Thank you. Love the box.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊

[@donniehodge2548]

Great job 👏

[@RenaissaUllah]

Absolutely love the chiseling. Great work process. Neat!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@cantycanvas4150]

Mycket fint! Fantastiskt roligt att hitta en norsk youtube-kanal med någon som snickrar med handverktyg:) Det finns så många snickerikanaler där man har en maskinpark för hundratusentals kronor.. det är själlöst, tycker jag. Så här ska det se ut!

[@Schnekkern]

Tack så mycket! Ja, jeg trodde også jeg måtte ha masse maskiner, først, men nå savner jeg det ikke. Dette er jo bare en hobby, så det er ikke så viktig at ting går fort heller :-)

[@wildberry865]

Wow good job

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@user-oi4fk8nm9g]

すげえ！！ 手作業だけで、こんなんい綺麗にするなんて。、

[@1qazandrew333]

Pretty little video of a great project

[@erasamus1057]

this is just the type of channel my soul has needed and i only just not stumbled upon it

[@Schnekkern]

What a nice thing to say. Thank you very much 😀

[@benjammin2859]

Jätte bra. Tack så mycket!

[@Subdood04]

While nowhere near the same, when I do spoons from cast off or found wood, it sort of tells you what to make. Very cool.

[@Schnekkern]

Carving spoons is something I want to try!

[@Epta08]

Amazing work!!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊

[@TheHkluivert]

very satisfying to watch

[@nathanmccoy4230]

That finish didn't do your wonderful woodworking skills any justice.

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, ugh. I have since removed it and reapplied some not-so-yellow shellac. Looks much better now.

[@onehandedmaker]

Well done. Fantastic skill and great video, I like your style. Subscribed and will watch more. Regards James One Handed Maker- Australia

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you James! I really appreciate that 😃

[@mickhurley7305]

Thats nice work.

[@bernardzhang1886]

Great video!!!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😀

[@harryv6752]

Beautiful. 🤟

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊

[@cerberus2881]

Beautiful Work! Subscribed.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you so much 😀

[@GeorgeLowrey]

Beautiful

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you!

[@TheWardagh]

Beautiful work 👌🏼

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😀

[@ThomasMoore.1]

Lovely work

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@ThomasMoore.1]

@@Schnekkern You're very welcome

[@allkindsofoutdooractivities]

Super nice build

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks 😃

[@dariushmilani6760]

Beautifully made.👍👍Liked and Subscribed.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊

[@josephreid5307]

this is awesome

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊

[@bluesinsideout]

Nice job man!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😊

[@MoscaWoodworking]

very nice video!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much!

[@tinkmarshino]

Very very nice.. I'm in! lets see what you can do now.. well done son!

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks! Hope to make something again soon :-)

[@tinkmarshino]

@@Schnekkern That vid has inspired me to go out and grab some cherry wood from my pile and make something with it.. Although I have been working with wood since the late 60's I never thought of take a piece of fire wood and making something with it.. Thanks.. This is gonna be fun!

[@WhiteSwordInterieur]

Had found some nice maple and spalted maple a few weeks back. It's now cut up and will be making some boxes soon too

[@Schnekkern]

Cool! Make a video of it 😀

[@JamesVanderVeen]

This is awesome. I did something very similar a while ago

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks! It was a lot of fun!

[@hozb1]

Thank you for posting. You possess great skills. I was wondering if you could show how you made your shooting board? It looks like an excellent build. Thanks again.

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you! And thank you for watching! I might make a video, but it is really simple. Just 2 pieces of plywood on top of each other and a hardwoid ”rail“ to ”capture“ the plane. If I were to make it again, I think I might just buy a kit from Veritas that includes rails and a fence.

[@hozb1]

@@Schnekkern thanks for the quick response and advice

[@MLSteffel]

Beautiful! Hoping to be able to cut as straight someday. Was wondering what the hole was for, and great dovetails!

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks! The hole is for alignment dowels that keep the lid in place. I drilled them before cutting the box in half, since that would ensure perfect alignment. The hole in the top would be covered anyway.

[@RexMcTavish]

That visual layout at 3:09 is simply gorgeous. Is it purely for the beauty of the video, or is there any practical reason? It's very aesthetic

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks! Do you mean the stacking of the boards? When they are stacked like that, I can use a single clamp (holdfast, actually) to hold them in place. Also, since I only chisel half way through from each side, it is ok to arrange them like that. And ues, I also think it looks cool 😁

[@user-zd2ho7cv4p]

Великолепно! Тонко и аккуратно!

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you very much 😊

[@user-zd2ho7cv4p]

@@Schnekkern can you tell me please what plane did you use for the narrow side? some special one?

[@robmannila7307]

Really nice, but he has all the tools and skill, everyday Joe aint making this lol

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks! Not sure about my skills, but good, sharp tools sure help a lot 😀

[@harryquick991]

Wow!

[@hansdegroot8549]

I've just token out some firewood from my pile. Now I'm searching on KZbin for some small projects. I have pine and beech.

[@derjman]

En nytelse, som alltid. Skal sjekke ut om det ligger noen skatter i vedburet nå :)

[@Schnekkern]

Takk, ja, gjør det!

[@jamiemcloughlin5991]

I really like. Did you have to dry the wood before starting the project?

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks! Yes the pieces were quite dry to begin with. Probably been dried outside for a year or 2 before I got them. Then they probably sat around for another year in my shop.

[@hizo64HH]

Wow

[@terwillagermcghee4148]

Nice

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks!

[@AbdulKareemAbdulRahman]

subbed. thank you

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you 😀

[@miguelelmc]

Very good and delicate. Art. Love. Which kimd of firewood? I liked.

[@voldmar]

Looks like birch

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, it is birch. Pretty nice and very plentyful here in Norway.

[@romainm1820]

❤

[@peterlennig]

Thank you for the beautiful video. Most inspiring for a novice woodworker . Would you be able to inform me of the marking device used at 1:45 in the film sequence? Peter L🌱

[@Schnekkern]

Thank you for taking the time to watch ! These are Veritas Dovetail Saddle Markers. They come in two versions: 1:6 and 1:8. I think the more pronounced 1:6 is intended for softer woods. Anyway, they just give me a good angle for the dovetails.

[@user-ls2pf1dv9d]

Добротно 🐻

[@paulandrusyszyn9177]

Are some of the pins wider on purpose so when you cut the lid from the box you are removing the extra thickness with the saw kerf? I couldn't tell from how you were measuring the layout. Either way well done.

[@Schnekkern]

Thanks! Yes, I made the pin/tail wider to account for the saw cut.

[@DinhQHuy]

I want your sharp block plane …

[@Schnekkern]

I would give it to you, but I need it myself 🙂

[@brettridings5594]

What was that tool you were using as a jointer? Presumably it's a jointer, but what type?

[@Schnekkern]

Tou probably mean the Shooting plane that is used to square up the edges of the boards? It is a Veritas shooting plane. Not as beautiful as the Lie Nielsen version, but a very good tool!

[@ScotBecker]

How dry was the wood when you did the original work? And how does the box look now?

[@Schnekkern]

The wood was very dry to begin with. There was an ever so slight warp in the lid now, almost 3 years later. Other than that, it has held up really well! The rived planks did rest a little before being planed, and some warped a little and others were very stable. I think the fact that they are rived almost perfectly «quartersawn» helps a lot. If I were to build something bigger, I would probably leave the rived planks much longer.

[@ScotBecker]

@@Schnekkern thanks for the great reply. I’d love to do something like this, but I haven’t thought ahead with my wood drying. Nice to know there are some ways to help it.

[@maydanlex]

163 views and only 174 subscribers? Sacrilege!

[@Schnekkern]

Guess I need to up my game :-)

[@maydanlex]

@@Schnekkern With the quality of your videos and the easy to follow progression you should have way more subscribers. Bravo!

[@Schnekkern]

@@maydanlex Thanks! :-)

[@zbyleq]

what is that block plane brand you use ?>

[@Schnekkern]

Hello, it is a Lie Nielsen No. 60-1/2 Adjustable Mouth Block Plane

[@glov433]

What's the music playing in the second half of the video?

[@Schnekkern]

Probably something from the standard KZbin sound library. I think Kevin MacLeod

[@hjeffwallace]

How did it burn?

[@Schnekkern]

Nice and warm 😀

[@user-us5cw3eq8y]

Хочу сделать стол из недогоревших дров. Тоже - из экономии. Как думаете, получится?

[@nikmas3261]

Используя такой инструмент, как у этого МАСТЕРА, стол выйдет почти золотым, инструмента на ~200-300т р.

[@lulupokes]

Are there books that teach this?

[@Schnekkern]

Yes, but I have learnt everything I know about woodworking from KZbin 😀 Check out the books from Lost Art Press, though.

[@gregoryhancock8605]

"I traded it for an ounce of weed"

[@yasarmevlutoglu776]

Очень лучше

[@FroggDogg008]

I can make firewood from box.

[@Schnekkern]

😃

[@MC-hb3hd]

Made from firewood with 5000€ worth tools😂😂😂😂

[@Schnekkern]

Yeah, not the cheapest of hobbies 😅

[@Slonopes]

хня