All of the pieces are now cut but we must look ahead at the issue of "How to you finish the inside of the box?". You could wait until the thing is glued together and the top is cut off. But try getting the sandpaper and finish into those spaces once and you will want to take the time to accomplish the following first.
Prep and finish the INSIDE of the box... There are a number of steps involved here that you will see when you work the outside of the box. But they are necessary to make sure that the inside is as nice as the outside of your finished project.
Get out your sand paper, sander, sanding sealer, brush and can of lacquer. Starting with 100 grit paper sand the inside surfaces of the box sides and the top and inside of the box top. Now Mask off the areas of the dovetail joints where glue will be applied to join the sides together. Glue does not like to hold on "Finished" surfaces.
Apply your first coat of sanding sealer to the inside parts of your box including both sides of the veneered top. (This is used to level out the surface when you apply your finish. Since your box will be under close examination you want a smooth finish) Wait two hours then....
Sand all sealed surfaces with your 150 grit sandpaper. Wipe away or blow any sanding dust from the pieces and apply your 2nd coat of Sanding Sealer. Whait two hours then....
Sand all surfaces with your 150 grit sand paper. Then final sand to 220 grit all sealed surfaces including both sides of the lid. Now it's time for the finish.
Make sure to use a tack cloth to remove any and all sanding dust that you do not want to end up in your finish. Using your choice of topcoat begin finishing the sealed surfaces of the inside of the box sides and ONLY THE INSIDE of the top. I use spray lacquer with a sheen of 60 or Semi Gloss for my boxes. With the appropriate drying time I apply a total of at least three coats. Don't worry about getting finish in the top and bottom groves as long as it does not build up to hinder the assembly process.
When the finish has been given adquite time to dry and cure remove all of the masking tape. You are now ready for assembly.
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Now lets start to put it all together!! If you have not already done so, bevel the edges of the lid and bottom pieces to make assembly easier. Remove any "spurs" on the dovetails and dados and clean out any stray sawdust or finish. I find it easer to assemble in this order.
1. Take the sides (pins for the dovetails, purple pieces for this box) and inser the bottoma and tops into the appropriate dados. 2. Apply glue to the mating surfaces of the other sides (Tails for the dovetails, white pieces for this box). 3. Assemble the box, make sure that it is square, and clamp to bring the joints in tight. Use as many clamps as necessary. Now wait for the glue to dry.
The Box is now glued up and with the clamps removed we can begin preping the outside for final finish. For this step you will need to break out your Belt Sander, Orbital Sander, Sand Paper and Sanding Sealer.
Starting with the Belt Sander, burn through any raised dovetail pins and tails to bring them flush with the box sides. Next comes the process of sanding, sealing, sanding and so on....
This is continues on the next page......
