Woodturning III: Lidded Boxes

With Chris Hoehle

This class has required prerequisites. See below for details.

Take your turning skills to the next level by creating a lidded box. This workshop dives into the art of precision, teaching you the techniques to craft a beautiful hardwood box with a seamless, friction-fit lid. We'll guide you through advanced skills like hollowing end grain and creating a continuous grain match, transforming a simple block of wood into a functional work of art. You’ll leave with a stunning handmade piece that showcases a high level of craftsmanship. Join this supportive friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

What You’ll Make:

  • A small round hardwood box featuring a perfectly fitted lid and a continuous, seamless grain alignment between the base and lid.

Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:

  • Advanced techniques for hollowing end grain

  • Precisely measuring and creating a friction-fit lid

  • Design principles for making the grain appear continuous

  • Using a self-made "jam chuck" to finish the bottom of the box

  • Refining shapes with spindle gouges and scrapers

Equipment & Tools You’ll Learn:

  • Wood lathe, spindle gouges, small bowl gouges, scrapers, parting tools, and calipers.

Class Outline:

  1. Prep & Design: Safety review, discussing box design, grain matching, and preparing the blank.

  2. Demonstration: Instructor demonstrates shaping the box and lid, focusing on creating the tenon for the friction fit.

  3. Hands-On Practice: Students hollow their box and lid, working with instructor guidance to achieve a precise fit.

  4. Finishing Touches: Instructor demonstrates how to create and use a jam chuck; students finish the bottom of their boxes.

  5. Wrap-Up: Review, final sanding and finishing, and Q&A.

Other Class Details:

  • Prerequisites: Woodturning I or equivalent experience (basic proficiency with spindle roughing gouge, spindle gouge and parting tool, as well as how to mount work between centers on the lathe) is required. Woodturning II is not required.

  • Class Capacity: 6 maximum, 3 minimum

  • Materials Provided?: Yes

  • Age Limit: 18+

  • Partner Ticket Available?: No

  • Available for a Private Class?: Yes (info)

  • Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: Comfortable well fitted clothing, close-toed shoes, put your hair up, and be prepared to get a little dirty.

About the Teacher

Chris Hoehle is one of our community workshop monitors and a professional woodturner with over fifteen years of experience on the wood lathe. In addition to teaching woodturning for nearly three years here at the Denver Tool Library, he has also taught week-long workshops at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg Tennessee, and he sells his work at local galleries and art festivals. You can check out his work on his website, studiocsh.com, or on Instagram @studiocsh.