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Cross-grain lid on long grain box

Joined
Dec 31, 2023
Messages
14
Likes
4
Location
Jefferson, NH
How bad of an idea is it to fit a cross-grain turned lid on a long grain turned box? Which lid-to-box mounting options are less prone to problems from mismatched grain direction?
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2007
Messages
5,493
Likes
2,843
Location
Eugene, OR
With a small, like 1 1/2 inch diameter max, it should not present too many problems. If you go over that size, it may end up being impossible to get the lid off some time. Burl does not tend to move as unevenly as side grain. When I make bigger boxes, I always make them out of end grain, and always from one piece of wood. That way, at least in theory, when you are done with the box, if it moves you should still be able to remove the lid. You may not be able to spin the lid all the way around, but, again, in 'theory' the lid and base will move the same so the lid should still come off easily.

robo hippy
 
Joined
Jan 10, 2024
Messages
256
Likes
139
Location
Bournemouth, UK
It depends on the type of box and the fit that you want. Some boxes work well with an easily removed lid, one handed. Others are better with a friction lid.
 
Joined
May 4, 2010
Messages
2,449
Likes
1,877
Location
Bozeman, MT
How do you measure the badness of an idea? On a scale from 1=picking vanilla ice cream when you could have had chocolate chip to 10=my wife's decision to say 'yes' when I proposed, I'd put your mixed grain box at about deciding to put the old gas in the chainsaw instead of going to the gas station for fresh.

Seriously, with seasonal wood movement, you will not be able to have a snug fitting lid. Nothing wrong with a loose lid; it just won't impress other turners with your amazing skill. Otherwise, it might look funny. The only opinion that counts when it comes to funny looking or not is yours.
 
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