Side grain boxes,,,,,,,,,

[Jack Gaskins]

Anyone turned boxes with a side grain orientation? Have any photos of them?

[Eric Kosanovich]

Jack, here is one i started this afternoon.
5-1/8th" wide and and 3" tall as it stands now with out the final/top wood is Cherry

[Wes Henson]

Jack,
I've done a few and I really like the look. If you get ambitious you can try for matching grain. But the wood has to be really dry. If not it will move and your lid will not fit.
Maybe use woods that are a little more stable.
Good luck

[Allen Neighbors]

It works with cured mesquite, I guess better than any other wood. Mesquite is the most stable, in radial and tangential movement.

[Wally Dickerman]

Side grain boxes will work but I suggest rough turning at least twice. Wood, any wood, will move and side grain will give you a slightly oval opening. Tight fitting lids can be a problem.

Woods that tend to move a lot won't be suitable for side grain boxes. As Alan said, a wood like mesquite, which is the most stable wood in North America, would work very well.

Wally

[Jack Gaskins]

Thanks guys. I was just wondering about side grain because I seen it mentioned in an article I read on making boxes. I may try it but will probably stick with endgrain until I get good at making boxes.

[Mike Peace]

Here is a Clam box design I picked up from a Ray Key demo. The winged box is inspired by a Youtube tutuorial by Bob Hamilton. Both are face grain turnings.

[Jack Gaskins]

Here is a Clam box design I picked up from a Ray Key demo. The winged box is inspired by a Youtube tutuorial by Bob Hamilton. Both are face grain turnings.

Those look nice. So I guess a side grain box would be like a bowl with a lid?