Keepsake Box Tutorial - Exotic woods with brass splines

Make a keepsake box with me! This box is made from Goncalo Alves (Tigerwood) and reclaimed Koa and fitted with Brusso Brass hinges and brass feather splines. Finished with a combination of Danish Oil, Shellac, and Grain Filler followed by sprayed lacquer.
Check out the End Grain Cutting Board video where I go over the jointing method mentioned in this video: • End Grain Basket Weave...
I am in not sponsored by any of these companies - I bought these tools and supplies because I believe in the product and / or they were all I could afford. #notsponsored
Shop at any of the links below - If you have an idea for a custom item, send me an email.
Personal Website - www.muirheadphoto.com/
Wood Page - www.muirheadphoto.com/wood
Etsy Shop: www.etsy.com/shop/MuirheadWood
Direct link to Cutting Board Walkthrough - www.muirheadphoto.com/wood/ba...
Stay up to date on projects and videos on my Instagram: / photo_matt
FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE
The Copyright Laws of the United States recognizes a “fair use” of copyrighted content. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act states:
“NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 106 AND 106A, THE FAIR USE OF A COPYRIGHTED WORK, INCLUDING SUCH USE BY REPRODUCTION IN COPIES OR PHONORECORDS OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS SPECIFIED BY THAT SECTION, FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS CRITICISM, COMMENT, NEWS REPORTING, TEACHING (INCLUDING MULTIPLE COPIES FOR CLASSROOM USE), SCHOLARSHIP, OR RESEARCH, IS NOT AN INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT.”
THIS VIDEO AND MY KZbin CHANNEL IN GENERAL MAY CONTAIN CERTAIN COPYRIGHTED WORKS THAT WERE NOT SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED TO BE USED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER(S), BUT WHICH WE BELIEVE IN GOOD FAITH ARE PROTECTED BY FEDERAL LAW AND THE FAIR USE DOCTRINE FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE REASONS NOTED ABOVE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VIDEO OR OUR POSITION ON THE FAIR USE DEFENSE, PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [e-mail]
THANK YOU.

[@paulp.l.4869]

Your editing is great. Floating texts add information that is appreciated: tool names and special effects. Sounds levels are good: voice, machine sounds, and music. Nothing was too loud, and everything was clear. Thank you for your attention to detail in both woodworking and video production.

[@MattMuirhead]

Wow - thanks! I've dabbled in video production very little in the past - mainly to show photography timelapses and what not - this is my first time making content like this so your words are much appreciated - It's good to know it makes a difference!

[@thomasinlondon2849]

That's a great box. Thanks for sharing!

[@jenhartart2]

Fabulous! Appreciate you sharing details of tools and machines used, gives us greater insight into your process. End result is amazing.

[@edilbertovargas1038]

Thank you, for your job,.....

[@hillcountrygarage]

That is a really beautiful box. Thanks for showing us how it was made.

[@brucegibson8053]

I just found your channel and hope you're still making videos? This box I believe I can make, unlike some of the others that show the finished product, you show the "how to's" in building. Thanks for that. It's also nice to watch a Californian build. I left there in '19 after the camp fire (Paradise,Ca. Nov. '18) took everything we had but the most important things - our lives and our dogs. I took up wood working as a hobby to keep my mind off the memories of that fire. Thanks again, hope to see more!

[@MattMuirhead]

So sorry to hear about your loss. I spent many years living in working in Chico and logged thousands of miles riding my bike to the old Honey Run bridge and up Honey Run Road into Paradise. Used to love stopping mid-ride for a bagel at the Lovin’ Oven before it shut down years ago. I had to pack up my shop this year in preparation to move into a new place and I keep hitting delays - I will be building again as soon as I get a new place and hope to make more videos - hopefully by next summer. Thanks for stopping by!

[@user-lk7zt7uv8j]

Nice project. It's all about the details. You did well to maintain that philosophy.

[@MattMuirhead]

Thank you!

[@johnnybaer8268]

That box was beautiful. I liked the brass. I also like how you added the brand of tool you were using. AWESOME video all around 👍👍👍

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks Johnny. It was a fun box to make - I will be posting more projects once I get moved into a new shop, hopefully sometime soon! I’ve had the tools packed up for too long!

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

I dunno how you don't have more subs. Subscribed and loving the videos

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks! I had to shut down the shop temporarily due to some issues here - have a lot of my shop in storage but I’ll by buying a new place and building a new shop hopefully this summer and plan to make some videos of the process. Thanks for the sub - I hope to be back in the shop sooner than later.

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

@@MattMuirhead awesome good luck with everything!

[@woodworkingandepoxy643]

@@MattMuirhead I'll still be subbed so can't wait to see it all

[@maryd826]

What beautiful work you do! I don't know if you still check these comments or not but if you do, i wondered if you could tell me if you have to use a special blade when cutting brass? I cannot seem to find the answer anywhere on this glorious internet. Also, i hope you will start uploading again. Your videos/projects are incredible!

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks Mary - you can use pretty much any blade to cut brass since it is a non-ferrous metal. Just be sure you are wearing eye protection. I will definitely start uploading videos - my shop is packed up right now as I wait to move and get into a new place…. Keep your eyes open - 2024 should see me back at it! Thanks for the kind words!

[@maryd826]

@@MattMuirhead Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question! Good luck with your move and i will be anxoiusly waiting when you start uploading again. Thanks again 🙂

[@brentjenkinsdesigns]

Wow brother that box is amazing your thoughtful added details make this simple box stand head & shoulders above all like it. I personally would love to see more woodworking videos by you. I think everyone could learn a thing or two while devouring your content! Thanks for the inspiration brother!

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks a ton. I hope to be back in the swing sooner than later - starting a new job plus having to pack up my shop to move into a new place isn't helping matters - had to move my tools into storage for the time being - crossing fingers I can get a new shop set up ASAP!

[@stuffwithkids7127]

I enjoyed that build and learned a lot about detail work. Thank you.

[@MattMuirhead]

Glad you liked it! Can’t wait to get back into the shop soon for some new builds.

[@thomastieffenbacherdocsava1549]

Your video came up on my home page. Watching the box build and your comments show a commitment to precision which is lost in other videos. LOL! Nice toys ah tools lol! Video is well done showing process. Thanks for posting.

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks so much for the comment - this was a fun build - I love being able to repurpose material and give it a new life - much better than ending up in a landfill or burnpile. Looking forward to getting back into the shop and making more sawdust once I move into a new place / shop - I'm sure a new house will mean more projects to post. Thanks again!

[@thewoodshop69]

I got the same 5hp powermatic 66. When you hit the power its all in. What a horse of a saw love it.

[@MattMuirhead]

It’s been a great saw - unfortunately the motor blew a capacitor and I was unable to get a replacement part in time for a deadline last year, but I was able to pick up a used SawStop for a good deal and will be moving the PM66 to a dedicated dado saw when I get back up and running in my new shop. Can’t wait to have a shop with 2 saws…

[@thewoodshop69]

@MattMuirhead one went out in mine but I picked one up at a hvac dealer still going strong

[@a.j.simmonds6324]

Awesome tip with taping off miters before glue, 1st video I've seen with this GOOD JOB. Love the tool names floating.

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@mauserkk98]

Nice project, that wood figurine on the insert looks impressive.

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks! Yeah, that figure on the Koa was hidden under some kind of finish that was previously on the box - I was pleasantly surprised when it came out of the planer!

[@jonpalange3292]

very solid project. welcome to youtube.

[@David-pd8xc]

Absolutely beautiful! You gave me some great ideas!

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks David - it was a fun project - It’s always enjoyable to use reclaimed materials to make something new. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@The_Joker_]

Really nicely done. A work of art ☘️👍

[@MattMuirhead]

Thank you!

[@rodrigoreitz7699]

Belíssimo trabalho! (Beautiful work!)

[@MattMuirhead]

Obrigado por assistir! Estou feliz que você gostou!

[@muniswamys730]

You are using excellent machine tools, amazing, I want to buy that box, from which country U R bro ?

[@lamairepr]

Absolutely beautiful build! New sub here for sure, odd question here what tape measure did you use in the video it looked like a really nice one with lots of bells and whistles :) thanks again for sharing this build. I'm going to attempt this for my two Daughters.

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks - I had to go back and look at which tape I used. Haha. It’s just a cheap FastCap. Pretty sure the one you’re referring to is their flat tape which is great for these small projects and great for marking… but it’s only good to lie on flat surfaces. I use all fastcap tapes because they’re inexpensive enough to have one or two in every corner of the shop for when they inevitably hide from me 😂

[@dougwhite414]

Nice work Matt. I'm going to have to pause to see your portable vice details!

[@MattMuirhead]

Ha! I thought about you when I was finishing the edits and speeding up the footage trying to get it to a manageable duration... I realized just how fast that table flip was in the final cut and thought it might be a pain to pause. Lol. If you can’t get a good view, let me know and I’ll go take some more pictures!

[@dougwhite414]

@@MattMuirhead I got enough - plus other videos on KZbin. Hardware to be delivered tomorrow and wood is in hand. It will end up being a blend of ideas. Thanks!

[@dougwhite414]

@@MattMuirhead One comment. I was surprised at how much the hinge protruded on the back. I have a box under construction and realized the issue (protrusion and the need for extra clearance for the rotation). I then went back to your video and see you mention the same plus a photo at the beginning of the video. I missed that detail in my first view. I'm not sure I like that protrusion but after spending >$30 on the hinges, they are going into the box! I may have to consider other options in the future as I prefer a little cleaner look / feel.

[@MattMuirhead]

Yeah - I chose a protruding hinge on purpose for this one so it would pop along with the brass feather splines. I almost got some hidden mortise hinges (Brusso has a good selection of hidden hinge options), but at the end of the day I thought this style was appropriate for the design and extra =bling= off the back lol

[@dougwhite414]

@@MattMuirhead However, I like the 95° stop.

[@skram2626]

Good stuff, that's a beautiful box. I have tackled a few boxes and you gave some good detail to help me fill in some gaps in my knowledge! I have to ask, why shellac as a first step, especially when you went with several sprayed coats of lacquer as your finish?

[@MattMuirhead]

Good question - In order for the grain filler to work properly, the wood needs to first be sealed. Shellac and / or SealCoat are good options because they are water based like the Grain Filler I used. Once those dry, it's OK to use an oil base lacquer over the top.

[@tomsatterlee8397]

I would echo Paul's comments. I am sure it was extra work but for those needing a little help it was nice

[@MattMuirhead]

Thanks, Tom - the editing definitely takes me quite a while but I don't mind the process when I have the time - I have another few videos to edit I hope I can get to sooner than later lol.

[@Joshua-pp1fd]

You shouldn’t glue all four sides of the top and bottom panels it limits the expansion and contraction which can cause cracks.

[@MattMuirhead]

Few things - the top of the box is two pieces of veneer thickness that are laminated to a plywood substrate. There is no hardwood in the groove. The bottom is less than 1/8” thick. The grooves in the box sides have an extra 3/32 or so on each side to float and there is only a drop of glue in the center. Wood movement will not be an issue across such a short distance. If it were an inch+ thick and spanned some distance, you’re 100% right. Since the wood isn’t pinned - it won’t be a problem, especially since it lives in Northern CA where we don’t have much swings in humidity.

[@MichaelKloepfer68]

I don't have jointer or a plainer

[@MattMuirhead]

Outside of the table saw, the planer and jointer are the backbone of a woodworking shop. You can get by without a jointer - if you have a tone of time, patience, endurance and skill you can use a handplane to do the job of a planer. Depending on the projects you are aspiring to make, those are tools I would recommend every woodworker add to their shop.

[@billgibson7899]

You can joint with a level and a table saw too if your comfortable with your saw

[@iggexec]

How much money you have in tools. $80k? Seems like you have everything short of production level equipment.

[@MattMuirhead]

Quite the contrary. I bought all of the larger tools second-hand with the exception of my bandsaw which I got a great deal on. I just started woodworking during Covid - I kept an eye on the local Marketplace and found good deals on everything I own. Woodworking tools can be found used on a regular basis - it helps to be in or near a populous area to increase the chances.