Replies

1. 
   byhammerandhand | Dec 18, 2007 04:29am | #1

   That's one of the reasons why the originals were oval -- the width across the minor diameter is cross grain, thus the shrinkage is minimized in its effect.

   Quartersawn stock will help. For pine quartersawn, I buy the widest 1x stock I can get (1x12 usually) and look for a piece with pith running in it. I rip down the pith, avoid the knots and have perfectly quartersawn clear stock (though the biggest I typically make is #4 or #5). They're a long way from 15" across.

   The other option is to pick your species carefully and avoid high movement woods. White pine, traditionally used, has relatively low radial & tangential movement.

   Your other option is to just get some 1/4" cherry plywood that will be dimensionally stable.

   Were you in my class? 8 years ago I had a student that pestered me to death to make a hat box. :-)

   You seemed to know about construction, but for someone listening in: http://www.shakerovalbox.com/articles/building/

   Rule #1: Wood moves
   Rule #2: The wood has the final say. You can't control it; you can only accommodate it.

   
   

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   Edited 12/17/2007 8:31 pm ET by byhammerandhand

1. 
   ktay | Dec 18, 2007 06:18am | #2

   Hi Hammerandhand,
   Good idea for the quartersawn wood. I had also considered cherry plywood. It seems like cheating somehow, although I use it in other situations.Thanks for the input.
   Sorry I missed your class ;)