Step Up Your Box-Making Game! | Four-Corner Grain Match

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One of the tricks woodworkers employ to make keepsake boxes look their best is to cut the box sides from a single board. If you keep the pieces in order, you can achieve a nice grain wrap around three corners. Unfortunately, the fourth corner will always be a mismatch. There is a way to get a nearly perfect four-corner match, if the material will allow for it. What I mean by that is the board needs to be thick enough to sustain a resaw down the center. In the case of this particular project, I had a board that was a full 1" thick and after resawing I was able to easily get the desired 3/8" thickness for my box sides.
To make a four-corner grain match, it all starts with careful layout. Draw a center line down the length of the board and then measure and mark the cross-cuts that will make up the box sides. The layout and cutting process is shown in the video and feel free to pause as needed to get the info you need. You'll have to forgive me for not writing out every step as this operation is incredibly difficult to describe. So watch the video.
In the end, you should have four grain matched corners. They may not be 100% perfect but they'll be close enough to serve their purpose. And even experienced woodworkers will look at the box and wonder how you did it. So step up your box-making game and give a four-corner grain match a try!
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[@woodwhisperer]

Relevant Links: + Essential Joinery Book - thewoodwhisperer.com/product/essential-joinery-book/ + Merle Band Clamps - amzn.to/3Cz4W8d + Blue Shop Towels - amzn.to/3vQXemc + Bumblechutes Wood Finish (Save 10% with TWW10)- www.bumblechutes.com/product-page/furniture-finish?ref=tww

[@roj487]

I've been a woodworker for just over 60 years now. I owned a custom woodworking shop for years and now have a beautiful home shop with all the fixings where I get to spend many stree-free hours with no dead lines. If today's technology to share knowledge had been available back when I started out I can only imagine where I'd be today as a woodworker. To be sure, there were masters of the craft that we could seek out and study under but we seldom had access to them and usually at a hefty price. So today I teach free of charge (except for supplies) those who are or want to be workworkers and are willing to put up with the old guy in the shop who thinks he owns the place. It's my way of giving back and passing it on. I really hope people today appreciate what you and some other excellent instructors are sharing free of charge online. I know that our craft will continue and grow because of your efforts and others like you. I can only imagine where woodworking will be in 30 years with great teachers who are knowledgeable , entertaining and inspiring. I wont be around at that time to see how it all turns out but I'm sure you and a few others will be able to look back on the evolution with great pride. This was my long winded way of saying thank you to you Marc and others who are also doing an amazing job. Just a Chip Off the Old Block But what A Great Block it Was Cheers

[@mattheww7280]

Great Video Marc, wondering where you got the green sanding block from? Lee Valley has a similar red one but maybe slightly larger

[@johnnation713]

Wow, that’s really incredible Ro-J. I can only imagine where I’ll be in 60+ years of woodworking!😱 I really appreciate your comment and your thank you to Marc, I too owe him a huge thank you. Marc wasn’t the one that got me started I did that on my owe learning from my mentor named Scott Robeson and he was great to learn from, very wise and extremely knowledgeable when it came to woodworking. Surprisingly enough he sought me out because of my work ethic at a local grocery store, I was a meat cutter for 15 years and it paid pretty well, however when I started working for Scott I got hooked like crazy! I started working for him part time after I managed the meat department at the grocery store back in 2017, so that was when I started it all. I’ve been woodworking for 5 going on 6 years now, I do t work for Scott anymore. I started saving all my extra money that I could get my hands on and started buying equipment and watching Marc sometime around 2018, Marc had already moved to Denver by this time, but I watched all of his older videos and I learned so much from Marc and I have a shop of my own now, not all the equipment but most everything any woodworker could start out and I have started my own business and so far so good. I finally left meat cutting for good this last spring in May but I still don’t make enough to do it alone so I started working at my own town’s water treatment plant and I just past my level 1 water operator test and I’m on my way to helping my town. I love woodworking and I watch all Marc’s new content when I have time, he’s so knowledgeable and I respect what and who he is. I read your response Ro-J and it reminded me of my journey and I just wanted one the most respected people I know to know my story and you as well Ro-J. Thanks guys, much respect and thank you for your time😊👍

[@keithbrock6410]

In a time when every other woodworker channel seems to be a sham wow commercial for the 5 tools under $20, you are still putting out great content on builds. Thanks man, and that turned out beautiful, and great instruction also.

[@DaveYoakum]

Right? Woodworking KZbin isn't what it used to be just a year ago. I'd blame TikTok, but there isn't long form video content there. What's going on?

[@xXSCARECROW19Xx]

Yeah seems like there's only a handful that do build videos anymore. Tww, stumpy nubs, Tamar, and a few more. I honestly like to learn about tools but I prefer to learn about them in use in a build video.

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

... or installing mega machines and losing touch with the viewers... yeah, I'm lookin at you Malecki !! 🙄😂

[@AusWorkshop]

@@DaveYoakum Greed

[@mikehill3426]

One additional technique is to start with a board wide enough to get the top and front to grain wrap. I call it the 5 corner match.

[@ddutton0]

The quickest I have ever been in viewing one of these

[@jimrosson6702]

Looks amazing glad to see you making stuff again

[@gbjones54]

I’d never seen this before Marc. Thank you.

[@PainlessChiropractor]

Clear, accurate build video, and beautiful box.

[@AusWorkshop]

I've been doing them that way for years but it's good to see it explained so well.

[@justplanebob105]

Thanks Marc! I love making boxes and I really appreciate when your videos help improve my skills.

[@joshsandler3122]

literally started building a box today - good timing, and thanks!

[@sehabets]

Finally tried this process, work like a charm, thanks for the great video.

[@paulfowler3416]

Excellent talk through and demo, thank you.

[@1954JDR]

Wow, that was so easy. Beautiful box.

[@OldDocThedan]

Good lord. How many box videos have I watched? Way too many, given that I rarely learn much new. But that little moosh of a bad edge really ties the room together. Thank you.

[@matthysloedolff]

I remember you posting a short version of this to Instagram and at the time I was a bit confused. This video cleared up my confusion and I think this is quite possibly the most satisfying trick one can use for making a fancy box. Thanks, Marc!

[@jonathanmiddleton5261]

Thank you man. I still believe it’s magic how you get it to work and I’m really digging the new shop.

[@johngrubbs9494]

Thanks Marc! I picked up a number of good techniques from your excellent video(s). I'm embarking (pun intended) on some box making soon and will use some of your tips.

[@nevadacool]

Thought it was just another box video, but love the tips on resawing, and the tonge oil. Nice work

[@garynicoletti7182]

Great build and love that the grain is gorgeous all around. I also see that you added a sacrificial fence to the Woodhaven 4448 Ultra Track you attached to the SawStop fence.. Nice touch

[@charleselkins4546]

You are quite the craftsman. Good luck in your new shop.

[@tektrixter]

Great technique! Adding it to my collection.

[@MCsCreations]

Beautiful, Marc! Really amazing work! 😃 Thanks for all the tips!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@meatwhisperer]

As always, great instructional content!!

[@112doc]

I use splines all the time for small boxes, made of contrasting wood. They are very strong. Good job!

[@Mikey__R]

I've seen a lot of hard wax finishes in KZbin land recently. In fact, I think this is the first tung oil finish I've seen for a while: I'm glad the classic is still relevant!

[@andrewbrown8148]

That's a beauty, Marc~! I had a friend ask me about making an urn. I was a bit intimidated by the request until I learned that it was for a pet. Thanks for the inspiration~!

[@missamo80]

Perfect timing for this video, I just picked up two offcuts of walnut from my local candy store to try making my first box!

[@StefanoBorini]

This man makes a simple box into a piece of art.

[@jlbfd9389]

That planer is sweeet!

[@EvanDunville]

Good Looking box. Ill have to save this video to remember how to lay out the cuts!

[@leiwa100]

Nice video. I learned that you should flip the board so that the outside is on the inside. Thank you

[@sgsax]

Don't know why this never occurred to me, but it's brilliant. I really need to improve my resaw capability... Thanks for sharing!

[@jeffreysmith5018]

Very nice! I love the look of that finish. I’ll give it a try 😀

[@taylorsand]

Nice work Mark!

[@mattheww7280]

Never would think to cut the bevels on a Miter Saw vs the Table saw. Interesting. I have a non sliding Dewalt DW715 and happy with its accuracy (I know you had it for a short time =-), just never would think of doing it this way. Thanks for opening up another option for a future application.

[@dinacusic7829]

I made a recipe box similar to this for my sister for Christmas and the wrapping grain is just 👌 I referenced the Jonathan Katz Moses video but this would've been even better to know about

[@subgeeze]

I guess with an urn you don't often open it up to check on the inhabitant, but I kept waiting to see what you did for a handle. Very nice! I will use the 4-corner-match trick.

[@richlew9385]

You’re a dang beast dude!!!! 💥

[@beardedgarage]

I came here to see the tricks and appreciated the fact you were using a graphgear 1000 while marking boards. Nice work.

[@patriciamay638]

Thank you. An excellent video covering off the skill and detail necessary to produce a beautiful box. Woodworking is joints and grain, and this basic project reinforced the principles which can then be reapplied to other projects.

[@de3be]

That's a great video! I use something similar when making my frames. It's not as continuous since the visible part of the frame is mitred, but yields better results than cutting it from a straight board.

[@johnnyb95678]

Thank you Marc. I really appreciate your approach and focus on detail.

[@woodwhisperer]

Glad it was helpful!

[@roelultriplo]

Nice to see a carpenter with 10 fingers still!

[@jeremyspecce]

After you posted this on Instagram I tried it on both a small tool box (box jointed) and a tissue box holder (mitered) . My biggest issue was what you warned about; I took too much material out in my resaw because my bandsaw was drifting and it required some extensive jointing to get it flat, so the grain is not perfect but it still flows pretty nicely. I’m going to make sure my bandsaw is all Snodgrassed up next time.

[@prilep5]

Amazing

[@vbacans]

Excellent video and instruction. These type of details are what sets woodworkers apart. Timing couldn't be better because this is my next task going forward.

[@andrhamm]

Nice! I've seen a bunch of these box videos lately, which is great because I've been accumulating hardwood offcuts and plan to make some boxes, but the missing video is taking a box like this to the next level and adding trays and compartments for storing and organizing things. Something smaller than a toolbox with a hinged lid and some kind of locking hardware would be great... and maybe some Kumiko... get Mr. Farrington on the horn! Don't forget flocking! 😄

[@johnlp3376]

I'm building a end table now not a box but I resawed my legs and my top ( table saw saving for bandsaw ) using walnut so expensive trying to save yet make look good as much as I can. This is a great video and explanation of how to figure and match grain like I'm trying to do now ( on every project understand it's a box but ya know ) still apply to a lot of projects. Thanks now I'm show the wife how bandsaw saved material lol thinner kerf lol hey worth a shot. Great video and learned a lot.

[@davidmeyer9204]

Thanks Marc!

[@RobinLewisMakes]

The screwdriver on the corner trick got me all excited!

[@michaelpatrick6950]

I just made a box like this between the holidays. I also hate bevel joints, so I rough cut on my miter saw and clean them up with an Infinity Tools Mega Chamfer router bit.

[@Kosh42EFG]

Smooth shaft. Fnar!

[@-11BRAVO-]

Beautiful box

[@TheOldBlackCrow]

I've been working on a humidor for a retired colleague... Your video makes me want to start over, but Spanish cedar is too expensive now. But definitely excellent info for future projects! Thanks!

[@lifter78]

That looks amazing

[@johnmooney9016]

Super clean video, nice editing! Love that nice little planer...

[@motrebal]

Great video, you are so much more relaxed than you were a few years ago and it makes for a better viewing

[@isaacbrooks5999]

This is great! My boxes always end up with that one corner that doesn't flow. Now I need to get a bandsaw💸

[@davecurda2350]

Good video Marc

[@J2ricker]

Awesome box! Cant believe i hadnt seen this video. Being off for the holidays hurt my pay situation a good bit maybe in a couple weeks i can het a heater for thr shop and go make some stuff. Spring will be here soon now and ill be building me an above ground shop. I think ill go with 16x16.

[@waukeecabinetworks5690]

45.5 Degree miters are a huge help when assembling miterfolds!

[@stevendavis6759]

Great video fantastic skills thanks for sharing!!!

[@franklange7692]

Smooth shaft ,,I get it😅....great video .Thank you for sharing

[@inmybox2023]

This is a really cool method, I just started experimenting in making smaller boxes, I will be able to get a full wrap on a 7" x 5" box from a 24” long board which is never 24”, only have a table saw, think it will still work with a 2.6 mm kerf

[@BIGREDDOG09]

nice box bro

[@jerrymcdonald6445]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I just purchased your book on Amazon.

[@malcolmsmith5903]

Nice job. Well presented. Love it. If you leave the board a bit wider then if the grain does shift after smoothing the saw marks then often just moving boards up/down a bit can catch it again then recut to final width. Board selection helps for grain wrap. Nice to see a shoulder plane in action - router plane works too.

[@ScottHaun]

my grandmother asked me Saturday to make her urn so the timing is impeccable.

[@Mburrisnav]

I was so surprised when I figured this grain wrap trick myself without seeing it from anywhere back when I made the dice towers.

[@thomaslbryant]

My friend, I bought one of those expensive wall ornaments my first week of owning a saw stop! Haha! Now I never run reclaimed wood without bypass mode.

[@johnnichols8553]

I'd like to see a video on how that spline jig was made. It looks simple enough, but I can screw up anything.

[@rolandgdean]

I've been making and selling boxes like this for years now on my Etsy store. I always re-saw and grain match all four corners when possible. Quarter-sawn grain works pretty good as well if the grain is all very straight lines anyway...like Sapele of Padauk. I think it's an amazing bit of detail HOWEVER, I've never had a Customer mention that specific detail in any of the CX reviews I've gotten...disappointing really but it is what it is I suppose...it's worth it to me though knowing it's masterfully done.

[@johnnation713]

I’ve been trying to do the same thing, I did a birch waterfall cabinet for my uncle and it looks wonderful, the very last corner of course didn’t look as cool as the other three, however it’s underneath the cabinet so you’ll never see it.😊👍 Thank you for actually showing me this for first time and now when I do it I try to do the exact same thing you’re describing right now. Thanks so much Marc, you’re the best😊👍🤘😝

[@woodwhisperer]

You can do it!

[@joshualloyd2915]

I was confused at first then...suddenly...it clicked. Thank you!

[@billhickman6455]

As usual great work, detail and inspiration. Just curious why no lid handle?

[@TracyJammeh]

I want to build my husband a watch box using this method. Unfortunately i don't have a band saw or a jointer. I'm hesitant, I'm not sure how resawing with turn out using a table saw

[@CordellWoodworks]

My father in law passed away a few days ago and I had started looking at urn builds yesterday because I wanted to try and build his. What a well-timed video with great information. I for sure would have screwed this up. I have some beautiful curly maple that I would love to use but I think I would like to stain the top a darker shade. Any recommendations for staining maple subtly dark (somewhere in the middle between maple and walnut lol).

[@christ9359]

Marc has a masterful eye, which I think is what sets him apart. Yes, he has the skills, but he makes beautiful pieces of furniture, because he has an uncanny eye for making the grain work within his pieces.

[@jakedevillier5863]

Well, that and he has all those fancy tools. I could make that too if I just had all his fancy tools !

[@eikestrumpelmeyer]

Very nice work 🤘🤘👍

[@rodrigoreitz7699]

Belíssimo trabalho. Parabéns! (Beautiful work. Congratulations!)

[@brenthiggins6253]

Very nice, thank you.

[@TaylerMade]

that is a great technique for box making. can i just point out my gaffer when i trained would have had apoplexy if he saw you putting all the timber through the thicknesser in one place. spread it out across the whole bed so that you are using all the knife so that it will last longer before you need to pull them for sharpening.

[@GlassImpressions]

I love your humor. My wife would say identical to my immature self! 😂

[@Mark_Wood]

That's really cool

[@tilmanbauer5728]

It you cross-cut the pieces on the table saw, with the blade at 45 and just high enough to score the top, you can avoid that 3mm gap between the faces altogether.

[@michaelsweet8327]

Very informative and really nice build! Can you share what band saw blade you use? Thanks again!

[@adamdejesus4017]

If you lack a band clamp, try connecting cable ties/zip ties together. Not reusable but provides lots of clamping power. I've made a lot of splined boxes just like this, except never with the 4-side continuity. My kingdom for a bandsaw.

[@RobertMason]

First off, this is freaking stunning. Fantastic job on it, and I'm so glad you taught that technique, genius! I was wondering though, a bit off topic, sorry, did you get rid of the brand new split top rubo you built? The knock down one? I've been seeing a lot of your old workbench, but not much of the new one

[@bfirefighter3]

Chisel across index finger knuckle. Cut through all the tendons into the joint capsule. 2 surgeries and 6 months of rehabs later and I’m at 75 percent function.

[@ronhochhalter3491]

Nice trick, definitely going to try this out on my next box project. I've enjoyed "Essential Joinery", any plans for the next book?

[@billballeza377]

Nice build! I have a set of Merrill clamps that live in a drawer after two or three uses. They are difficult to use and real knuckle busters when you attempt to rewind them into the band casing. Question: how do you size for cremation urns? Is there a standard dimension that accommodates the ash remains?

[@FearsomeWarrior]

Dear Wood /whisperer. Please consider a flush cut saw comparison video. I think it’d be fun and sell some saws. Most curious about the popular Japanese saws that WoodCraft/Rockler carry up against the Veritas. Box video was awesome. Probably because it was simple but beautiful and focused on techniques.

[@daver4576]

I really enjoyed the video and picked p some valuable tips, so thank you. I did however notice that the lid was not secured with any type of fastener. Perhaps it isn't needed but if an urn has remains in it and for some reason the lid came off, that would be a bad bad day. The Likelihood of that happening I know is very low but I tend to look at things from what it would be like in a worse case scenario. Any suggestions on what us anal types could do to fasten the lid using the method you used?

[@Matt-oz2jb]

Nice box... when handle follow up video, Marc?

[@dg9714]

Very nice! 👍🏼 I wonder how you would make the lid easier to take off and put back on…🤔 any suggestions?

[@runifuceeme406]

@9:59 DEFINITELY TRIED YOUR SMOOTH SHAFT ADVICE.. THEN THE WIFE CAUGHT ME... NEEDLESS TO SAY, I HAD A LOT TO EXPLAIN, AND WAS SLEEPING ON THE COUCH THAT NIGHT..

[@JimHester]

Three things to note here: 1. I received a copy of the world-renowned Essential Joinery for Christmas, and it's awesome. 2. You are the only other person I know who owns a Craftsman Guide Master™ push shoe. 3. Beautiful project!

[@jaydenhouseman9484]

I discovered this push stick in a box of hand-me-downs. I like it. Mine is Orange.

[@edwarddrost5299]

I noticed you glued the bottom in. Will that affect the integrity of the box in seasonal wood movement, or are the splines strong enough to hold everything together? I did find the way you matched the grain continuously around the box interesting, as well. Thank you for that tip.

[@magicworldbyjorg]

,a cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you……

[@mattelias721]

Beautiful project, Marc. The corner trick from William Ng is awesome and does work well. Have you tried overcutting the miter by .1 degree?