Making Small Keepsake Boxes with Various Lid Designs

I've made a batch of small keepsake boxes, or ring boxes, from american walnut body and various lid designs: kumiko, mahogany, cherry with palm wood inlay and maple knot lid. You can find this box design in the book Box Making Basics, David Freedman - amzn.to/47sA9GM
Boxes available on my store here www.adrianpreda.com/shop
■ Some tools used in this video:
Suizan 9.5” Dozuki Dovetail - amzn.to/3vybLWU (Amazon)
Veritas Low Angle Smoothing Plane - bit.ly/2HbDAYC (Dictum)
Veritas Detail Rabbet Plane - bit.ly/3bu7BRt (Dictum)
Veritas Mini Router Plane - bit.ly/2mTqp7m (LeeValley)
Combination Square 6”/150mm - amzn.to/47z5aZu (Amazon)
Kebiki Marking Gauge - amzn.to/3Hf5FgI (Amazon), bit.ly/3owdDKe (Dictum)
Mini Try Squares - amzn.to/47G8GBG (Amazon), bit.ly/39sQFJm (Dictum)
Shinwa Mitre Square - amzn.to/4aX1jsq (Amazon), bit.ly/2HhsvFC (Dictum)
Bosch PSM Primo Sander - amzn.to/3TSlUYF (Amazon)
Drill Press Stand - amzn.to/41ZMKQK (Amazon)
■ List of all my tools: www.adrianpreda.com/blog/tools
■ Tools list on Amazon www.amazon.com/shop/adrianpreda
■ Plans and Products I make on my store here www.adrianpreda.com/shop
■ Follow my INSTAGRAM for insights and other projects:
/ adrianpwood
As an Amazon and Dictum Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through these links
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Music:
Sunday Stroll - Huma-Huma
Together With You - JR Tundra

[@BabetteS]

Just breathtakingly beautiful!

[@weston0614]

Stunning! This was one of the most soothing videos I’ve ever watched. Everything flowed together so beautifully. I can watch these all day.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you very much! Yes, this is the video I'm the most proud of so far :)

[@kellysweetman6070]

I'm getting back into woodworking, and I've been building small cabinets and keepsake boxes to tune my run down skills. These videos give me inspiration and ideas for future projects and hopefully I can find a market for.

[@raider6511]

The only thing I can say is "EXCELLENT". You are the MASTER.

[@richardhawkins2647]

That box from that book was the first I made. Took several goes before I got a finished box! Takes me back. Your lid designs and seeing them there make me want to revisit that design.

[@mattedwards4533]

Your work is beautiful!

[@jcsrst]

Those are just wonderful! I enjoy watching your expert use of hand tools . Great job!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@mynameisandycook1]

You are incredibly talented, and I appreciate you showing HOW you made these. However, I believe that you made it look about 20 times easier than it actually is (the mark of a real craftsman). Thank you!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you!

[@petelodge8197]

Such a beautiful and creative way to make a keepsake box!

[@pacificoartes9758]

Simplesmente maguinífico.

[@mmd1957]

I love your precision and how cleanly you work, great outcomes.

[@AdrianPreda]

+Mike Shipman Thanks Mike!

[@BronkBuilt]

Incredible craftsmanship!

[@TheMadManPlace]

You are using techniques that I last saw in the 60's - WAY TO GO!!!

[@lupecobos4963]

You make that look so easy, what a wonderful talent.

[@MrFrancogi]

Simply a masterpiece!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you Franco!

[@DonJohn87_YT]

One of the most relaxing woodworking videos I've ever seen, and I'm saying that having watched all of ISHITANI FURNITURE's videos!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you very much! If you mention Ishitani then I'm blushed :D

[@ryanaugustus]

You are really good at this. Such precision! Well done.

[@BDizzleMySchnizzle]

Just getting into woodworking. Fantastic video and box. I love your setup for the plane. Very clever. Thanks for sharing.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you also for watching! Wish you all the best into the craft! :)

[@Myrkskog]

A pleasure watch, chap. Another thing to try making at furniture school!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you! This is supposed to be a simple box design, actually I'm trying to go through several boxes from the book I've mentioned in description where I was inspired, from the simplest to more. It is a good and rewarding work this box making :)

[@Humanbeing-fv3yt]

beautiful little box.

[@scottykav9850]

Beautiful attention to detail.

[@Cougarnaut]

Hi Adrian, thank's a lot for your videos. After thinking years about some wood working, I'm more into metal working, your work made me buy my first plane, making a shooting board and planing for the 45° shooting board to make my first boxes.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks Dirk, happy to hear that! I was too into other stuffs before ww, I bought a CNC to help me in my electronics's mechanical stuffs, then saw people woodworking on the cnc, then saw people handtool-ing on the wood, then I got into too :)

[@jamespolucha6911]

Unreal how you get everything perfect, I’ve tried this many times and it’s never close to being this good, it’s so frustrating, thanks for the video

[@davidclark9086]

Wow! Attention to detail at its best. You have se the bar very high. Thanks for your post.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks David!

[@johnproffitt3272]

Great designs and execution

[@Mark_L]

Great video. It shows a whole next level Skill set. I can actually feel the work.

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very nice box! Thank again.

[@Thom4123]

Awesome work love your work and videos.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy it!

[@AndreaArzensek]

Lovely relaxing video and beautiful boxes! Cheers

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks Andrea!

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very nice box! Will last a lifetime! Thank you.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you Robert!

[@TheMessyStudio]

Very nice boxes and the craftsmanship is exquisite. Billy

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you very much Billy!

[@tooljunkie555]

Those are some beautiful boxes! Very nice craftsmanship! Love boxes like that🍻

[@AdrianPreda]

Man, I was sure I had replied to you yesterday just after you comment, but probably didn't hit reply or whatever :) Wife warned me now, when browsing through comments, hey why you left this Joe with no reply, then I was wtf, I did, but no :)) very sorry! Thank you very much for your appreciation! There will be more boxes projects, I'm kinda in a boxmaking life crisis momentum now :))

[@JoseRodriguez-ey2nk]

Es un placer tan grande verte trabajar siempre y además con unos resultados tan magníficos, fino y delicado final. Fantástico!!!!

[@toolsconsumables7055]

Premium wood essences, judicious use of marking gauge followed by careful planing & finally oiled & wax for that showroom finish. A labour of love & a passion for Japanese woodwork seems to exert some influence in your design. All well finished; it's a real relaxing pleasure to watch a Maestro at his art. The music is very soothing; all the perfect ingredient to achieve a magnificent little box that the ladies would fall over for. Great stuff & very well executed. Kind regards. N.B: The Slovenian Woodworker another Maestro too.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you Sir for your kind comment and appreciations! I'm really grateful for your feedback! Adrian

[@toolsconsumables7055]

Dear Sir, Thank you very much for your courteous reply. Great work should be appreciated greatly; you & your Slovenian accomplice make some absolutely marvellous stuff that is both a delight to see but more importantly watching two Maestros making it is equally entertaining. Kind regards & long may you live Sir.

[@toolsconsumables7055]

Dear Sir, the pleasure 's all mine. All the very best. Kind regards.

[@user-lt6hq5qz9e]

ToolsConsumables ｌ

[@myckrych7154]

lovely peaceful music and a joy to watch handtool skills.

[@AdrianPreda]

Glad you like it! Thanks!

[@rowandyck6240]

Amazing Work! very well done, both wood working and videos.

[@nigelmtb]

Fantastic work, Adrian!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you Nigel!

[@limpermeabile]

Stupendo lavoro!

[@AdrianPreda]

Grazie!

[@donfillenworth1721]

OK, that does it! I’m subscribing, Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@AdrianPreda]

:) Thank you! Glad you like it! Thanks for subscribing!

[@maicon8002]

Que lindo. Parabéns! 😍

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks!

[@tabhorian]

Okay.. now I'm inspired!

[@duczman76]

the small plane is cute.the main thing is that it works well.nice boxes,plain but elegant.a good example for craftsmanship and that less is sometimes more.

[@carlmarsteller8649]

Just found your channel, amazing wood work and craftsmanship . Beautiful pieces that anyone would be proud to own. Carl

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you Carl!

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful, dude. Just... Beautiful!

[@mohegansun2439]

this is great work! I'm inspired. I dont have a shop or machine equipment, but I want to make boxes with handtools

[@johnc6440]

Very nice indeed. Simple and attractive

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks John!

[@enzofilho]

nice job sir - congratulation from Brazil

[@AdrianPreda]

Obrigado!

[@JohnMark61355]

I enjoyed the video...you are amazing. Love the use of the hand tools. The boxes are beautiful.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you Mark!

[@facebookmakesmesick]

One of those things where if I learned hands on from this guy I would learn and understand but watching video won't ever do it..Nice work.

[@artrobert0875]

I love your style man. Great videos

[@AdrianPreda]

Hi, thanks! I'm really glad you like them!

[@nutuba59]

craftsmanship by a real artisan , very clear and informative, great demonstration of hand tool use and quality products , just clicked subscribe

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you very much!

[@markgoode4109]

This is outstanding workmanship. It was a pleasure to watch and learn. Thanks for sharing your ideas and obvious skills. Best wishes.

[@conkgord]

excellent work and great to see hand tools used

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you very much!

[@lloydgarland4667]

A perfect example of ultra high quality workmanship using only hand tools with the exception of cutting the recess for the splines. Do that by hand and you sir, would be even more talented. Excellent video!

[@user-mm1nh1jn9j]

Хорошее творчество, «прямые руки»😉👍

[@ronin2963]

some of the best boxes on the net.

[@jbb5470]

Nice video, I enjoy the music. Good well with this very nice build. Thanks for sharing

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks! Yeah, first time I use this genre, browse it quickly today before uploading, I started to like it too :)

[@22busy43]

@2:15 those perfect miters. You make that look so easy.

[@Slovenianwoodworker]

Boxes look amazing . Nice stylish/elegant desgin. I'm glad that my saw didn't eate them :-)

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks man! And for the help too! Yes, it's a hungry big beast, glad the boxes survived :))

[@beepIL]

@@AdrianPreda Will this same thing work with a tiny router bit with a jig that allows me to pass it in a 45 deg like you did? I don't have a saw :(

[@kookyflukes9749]

Delightful. You nailed these boxes. Your work is something I aspire to.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you! I'm glad you like it! It was actually the quickest edited video so far, only 2 days :))

[@kookyflukes9749]

Adrian Preda quick question. I was on your Etsy page to look how much you sell these for and couldn't believe how much these sell for! Do you work off a day rate? Or do you just try to recoup material costs. Each box must take a couple of hours work. Do you make anything from your work?

[@AdrianPreda]

Hi, thanks for the comment. That's the price you pay for hand works, and unique items, I can say briefly. There are CNC made boxes on laser or whatever on etsy which sells like 10-15 usd but, you buy what you pay. Even for mines, the actual work price for these boxes should be more, but I have to adapt to how much an item like these is sold by others, by the market. It's not my plan, at least now, to sell these as a permanent thing, I just wanted to make a box like this, but decided to batch them more, in order to save some time and put the rest on sell, when they sell, will sell, I don't care. Probably if I was doing more machine work I would have saved some time, but not too much, the half of the time of the build is finishing, and you can only do this by hand.

[@kookyflukes9749]

Yes. I made some kissing fish as a valentine's gift for my wife and uploaded an image to FB. Somebody asked me to make them one also. Ok but it's gonna cost you £80. There was 6 hrs invested into that project and they wanted it for £15!! Batching out ten would still be £25 a piece and you can probably buy them on Etsy for £10. Handsanding the piece alone took 4 hrs. One offs gonna cost. Batching you can sell for cheaper but then that's not really why I'm into making project. It's a fine line between enjoyment of making a project and breaking even on commissions.

[@AdrianPreda]

Also materials, if you look solely on the final object, are meaningless in terms of cost, what's behind them is the real deal, buying wood, transport, time, dimension, waste, work, documentation, consumables etc. Also, you must start from the premise that this is a very small market, not for mass people. Most are amazed seeing pics or appreciating them just by looking, but there is a long way buying it. You asked me if I have rates predefined; not having this as a business and a full shop where I can be aware of my flow, I try to make a price by comparing to the market and try to come out closely in the ratio work spent/real cost, even if I'm below in most cases. But, that's something I assume, the main thing is I wanna build things cause I enjoy it, if some will sell, that's additional, and it's welcomed :)

[@davidhamon5281]

very nice box great job

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@dodgersfnshepard8673]

You do amazing work and i must have that mini planer and those brass clamps. Making beautiful things with tiny too cool tools, winning

[@dekeros-recreationalwoodwo6456]

Your work is amazing!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you very much!

[@josephlicata4304]

Craftsmanship! Beautiful

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you!

[@pepep2278]

Inspiration project good look and awesome 🛠👍 greetings 😊

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you!

[@luisfernandobravomalambo9736]

que trabajo tan bonito y desestresante ver el vídeo con esa música tan agradable. felicitaciones

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks!

[@d.k.1394]

nicely made and filmed

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks, and thank you for the feedback!

[@IonPetreGeorgescu]

Congrats for the video and the boxes! they look awesome! Imi place foarte mult stilul tau de lucru, simplu, curat si eficient. Ma inspiri sa fac ceva asemanator :D

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you! Multumesc pentru aprecieri, si succes si tie!

[@TheWoodYogi]

Very nice Adrian :) Thank you :)

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks!

[@Mikhandmaker]

Excellent work!!! I like you to use your hands only Nice job buddy ;-)

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks Mik! Yes, hand tools prevails in my work, but not making quality compromises when cases:))

[@gregsarsons1221]

Wonderful workflow, designs and video! All the lids are attractive, I’m drawn to the one with the inlay. I may have to attempt a lid like that. Have you considered texturing the lids or boxes with a gouge?

[@terrenas9917]

muy buena caja de madera

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you!

[@Stephens8x6Workshop]

Very nice work and an enjoyable video presentation too

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you!

[@azizulzulzaha]

different level

[@stevem268]

i see that somebody like to shop at lee valley. love the miniature router plane

[@ishaggydiggitydog]

Great build! What kind of squeeze clamps you using?

[@gogo5542]

wow awesome diy ...what kind of wood u use pls? thank u

[@adude7050]

You can't see it but I am clapping Bravo bravo

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you :)

[@victorfleitas2556]

Fantastico

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you!

[@1cgower]

nice

[@thomasdoherty6726]

Yes! Some very nice, well made boxes Adrian and I like the cutting gauge you use if you don’t mind me asking where could I buy one preferably from someone who would post to Poland.

[@edwinalexandercalvachezamb3136]

Master!!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks!

[@jasonrogers6221]

Love the channel, even modeled my workbench off yours a year back, almost identical. Anyways I’m finally commenting becausing I’m curious about that marking gauge iron you got there. Where did ya get it or make it? Perhaps a vid on that?

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks Jason! Glad to know you liked the workbench! That marking gauge is not made by me, a lot of peps asked the same :) It's a japanese kebiki marking gauge, or in this video it's a dual knife one. I've put a link in the description, there are plenty of them on amazon, me I bought it from fine tools germany. Note that they come slightly untuned, some rough spots of the wood and also the blade. Specially those with wedges, you need to fine tune it to make the wedge work, also sharpen the knifes. Mines had a lot of burr on it. This is how jp wooden tools usually come, mostly the economical range. But once you do these things, and it's not a big deal, you can know the tool better this way :) they are a great tools. My marking gauge(s) is prob the most used tool in my projects.

[@rikroberts]

Nice work. I would have to really learn to sharpen a blade before I could ever use planes that much.

[@marcoveneziano7364]

Nice little boxes, Adrian. Do you plan a separate video for the kumiko work? I hope so.

[@AdrianPreda]

Ciao Marco! Yes, I do plan, just to set up more well my jigs in order to make it more flawless.

[@danutplesu3352]

The boxes look great. Good luck with your shop! I had no idea that you are established in Slovenia.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you! Doar m-am miscat la vreo juma de ora de unde stateam in Italia :)

[@ErosNicolau]

Superb! Was wondering why you didn't use the 45 degrees shooting board for the bottom edge chamfer and how about making a 30 / 60 degrees shooting board side?

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks! The 45 shooting board was too small to chamfer the box there, I think it passed the blade's length or almost to the end. But anyway it's just need to be a small chamfer, 2mm, to create like a floating effect of the box when sitting on a flat clean shelf. 30/60 board worth building when you have more stuff to plane and precise, I can deal for now adding a raised block to the straight one :)

[@pauldixon6654]

O do i like your video so relaxing nice music only thing missing is a glass of wine. many thanks for shareing.

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks Paul! Almost, many beers were drink during the build process. After work, of course :)

[@pauldixon6654]

oooow of cource.

[@markylil1]

Very nice, do you have any more information on the mitred shooting board design? I'm looking at making something myself! I'm also trying to think of a way to cut recesses for splines in a bow without a table saw, maybe using a hand saw with a wide enough kerf but could be messy Thanks!

[@AdrianPreda]

The shooting board design is from a Fine Woodworking magazine issue, issue 261, may-june 2017. I also wanna try by hands these days to make some spline. I've made smaller pen boxes and wanna make just a cut, kerf's width of the dozuki and add inside some veneer, made with a plane or see what else. Hope to manage and not to ruin the boxes :)

[@Antonio-MadTexMex]

1st outstanding work. Question for you. Have you considered using scrapers instead of sandpaper? I find when I scrape instead on sand the wood looks cleaner

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks Antonio! Yes, I have some scrapers, but use them very rarely. I have to put in order their sharpening techniques and start to use them more often.

[@emiliolbd7424]

Uauuuuuuu!!!!!!

[@hazembata]

Now we know who's been buying all the mini-tools from Veritas :-) I always wondered what those were for. Great work.

[@AdrianPreda]

I just have 2 out of 7 minuatures from Veritas :) Chisels and router plane. Yes, they work too :)

[@macabrerapkz]

the music was also very nice

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@amandaworley2064]

This is rediculusly fine tuned. I love finish carpentry, but damn I could never work like you do. Major kudos man. It's incredible!

[@AdrianPreda]

Thank you!

[@hilpealolli5223]

Epic

[@sorinparaschiv5506]

frumos...mi-a placut...n-am nici cea mai vaga idee de unde ai facut rost de lemnul de esenta tare....

[@AdrianPreda]

Mersi! S-au adunat, de pe la unu', de pe la altul :)

[@hollysmith562]

such beautiful boxes I need 2 build a 45 degree shooting board 2 help me with my miters

[@mikemorehouse4641]

I love this design. Can you give me some rough sizes/dimensions as I'd like to make something similar for my granddaughter.

[@nininoist]

Fantasticno

[@AdrianPreda]

Thanks!