Woodworking III: Box Joinery Class

with Jonathan Carlyon

This class has suggested but not required prerequisites. See below for details.

Take your joinery skills to the next level by mastering the art of box construction. This class focuses on creating the strong, beautiful, and precise box joint (or finger joint), a hallmark of fine woodworking. Learning to build a well-crafted box is the foundational skill for making drawers, cabinets, and other complex furniture. You will manage the entire process, from design, layout, and all the steps leading to final assembly. Join this supportive friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

What You’ll Make:

  • A beautifully crafted hardwood keepsake box featuring precision-cut finger joints. This versatile project is perfect for storing jewelry, recipes, or other small items.

Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:

  • Designing and planning a box project

  • Setting up and safely using a router jig to cut box joints

  • Achieving a perfect, gap-free fit for your joints

  • Proper glue-up and clamping strategies for a square box

  • Sanding and hardware installation, as well as some suggestions for finishing techniques

Equipment & Tools You’ll Learn:

  • Table saw, router with box joint jig, various hand tools. 

Class Outline:

  1. Project Planning: Design considerations, wood selection, and parts fabrication.

  2. Jig Setup & Demonstration: Instructor demonstrates how to set up a router jig for cutting precise box joints.

  3. Hands-On Practice: Students cut the joints for their own boxes, receiving guidance on achieving a perfect fit.

  4. Assembly & Final Steps: Gluing up, clamping for squareness, sanding, and applying the hardware.

  5. Wrap-Up: Review, Q&A, and discussion of how to apply these skills to future projects.

More Class Details:

  • Prerequisites: No experience required. Woodworking I & Woodworking II or similar experience are suggested.

  • Class Capacity: 6 maximum, 3 minimum

  • Materials Provided?: Yes

  • Age Limit: 18+

  • Partner Ticket Available?: No

  • Private Class Available?: 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

Literature professor and woodworker, Jonathan learned carpentry from his dad growing up. His first major project during high school was building a skateboard half-pipe! When not researching material culture in Latin American, Jonathan serves as education coordinator for the Woodworkers Guild of Colorado. He is also on the editorial board for Pins & Tails, the quarterly digital newsletter of the Society for Period Furniture Makers. You can follow him on Instagram, @caminoworks.

What Students are Saying:

“The boxes turned out beautifully, Johnathan was so patient and fun, and I loved the demonstration of dovetail joints."

"It’s clear that Jonathan is very passionate and he’s a very patient teacher"

“I really liked the hands on approach and the warm and friendly teaching style of our instructor!"