With decades of experience, Doug Stowe shares his profound knowledge and passion for the craft of box making with Basic Box Making.
Stowe guides you through the fundamental techniques to create stunning and functional boxes, from simple projects to more intricate designs.
Basic Box Making is perfect for woodworkers of all skill levels, providing a solid foundation for anyone looking to delve into this rewarding craft. With Doug Stowe’s guidance, you’ll embark on an exciting journey of discovery and creativity, transforming simple materials into beautiful, handcrafted treasures.
Key Features:
Step-by-Step Guidance: This comprehensive book provides clear, detailed instructions for a variety of box projects, enabling you to build your skills progressively. Each project is thoughtfully arranged by difficulty level, ensuring that you can tackle them at your own pace.
Skill Development: As you work through each project, you will not only hone your box-making techniques but also develop your creativity. Stowe emphasizes the importance of repetition, as practicing these techniques leads to refinement and success.
Encouraging Creativity: The book encourages you to explore your imagination and consider different design possibilities. With thought-provoking questions like “What if this box were made in that wood?” you’ll be inspired to innovate and personalize your creations.
Variety of Techniques: From basic joints to advanced finishes, this book covers everything you need to know to produce high-quality boxes that showcase your craftsmanship and style.
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228 reviews for Basic Box Making
4.4out of 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
9
★★★★★
2
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1
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★★★★★
Luk Goossens –
This is a great book to start making boxes. Very well explained and clear pictures. You do need a table saw and router table but if you want to make boxes you do need those anyhow. The sizes are in inches, but that’s ok, you can just multiply everything by 2.5 to convert to cm. I have now made 5 of the boxes that are in the book and have learned an awful lot from them. Would seriously recommend this book as your first buy.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Steven Hubbard –
Great book
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Mr. Bill –
This is a good book, both as an introduction to boxmaking and as a reference I’ve returned to for ideas and techniques again and again. I recommend it! Moving along, I do not understand the criticisms of the book offered by some people who complain of the equipment required to make the boxes considered in the book. What were they expecting? You do not do this level of work with a handheld circular saw and sawhorses, and no one should expect to do so. The good news is that you equally certainly do not need a “professional shop”. If you come into this experience with realistic expectations you will be highly rewarded.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Caleb –
Just got it. At first glance it’s about making boxes
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★★★★★
Ignazio –
Un bellissimo libro, pieno di fotografie e oggetti d’arte. Tantissime idee e creazioni diverse tra loro. Per tutti gli appassionati.
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★★★★★
Michael A Fornof –
useful for our workshop
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Kaypee –
I have been making cabinets and furniture for many years. I purchased this book to broaden my knowledge of woodworking. I have made the first three boxes in the book so far and I plan to make all of them as time allows. I have been disappointed in the past with books and plans that are impossible to use with many mistakes and lack of detail. This book has all of the detail and description needed to make perfect boxes the first time. I have not found one dimension mistake so far. The name of the book may be somewhat misleading. From the first very box a well equipped shop is required. The minimum equipment consist of a good quality table saw, a good table mounted router – not one of the $25 ones from Harbor Freight, a good selection of router bits, a thickness planer, a good selection of clamps, a band saw, and lots of patience. At first I resisted taking the time to make the various jigs described in the book. Don’t make that mistake. The jigs will make your projects much safer and much more precise and attractive. They have many more uses on other projects and only take a few hours to construct. I find box making very enjoyable. Everyone loves the boxes and I can see that I will have a hard time keeping up with demand from family and friends. I would suggest making the boxes in the order that they appear in the book. Doug was careful about picking the order to increase skills as you progress.
October 14 2012 I have made all but one of the boxes in the book. I also bought the CD by the same author. I highly recommend the CD. I want to re-emphasize that the books name can be miss leading. This is not a book for begining woodworkers. I would recommend a high end after market router table. With this addition to your shop many of the procedures can be done safer and more accurately. The projects can be done with the home made table he describes but you will be much more satisfied with the results from a premium table.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Amazon Customer –
Bought this book to learn how to make a box for my daughters wedding. Simple to follow directions made it easy.
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★★★★★
Christiane MOLINA –
Je suis un peu déçue.Outre le fait que ce livre est en anglais, ce que je savais bien sur, je me rends compte que l’auteur dispose de matériel professionnel imposant qui n’est pas à la portée de tout le monde.Je pensais que les modèles proposés étaient réalisables avec seulement une scie à chantourner et ce n’est pas le cas.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Electric Z –
I bought this and the accompanying DVD. I recommend both as to use together. I have been wood working for over 30 years and this book is great for a beginner or season wood worker.
It is easy to understand. There are some great ideas for jigs in the book that you can use for making boxes and also many other things.
What you learn is how to use the power tools you have in a very creative way. The author takes you from the basic to the more complex in an easy to follow and do manner. It should give you the confidence and knowledge on how to create something special.
I really like and enjoy this book. I think the DVD is great. I highly recommend
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
MikeyAit –
I have yet to make a box, however I have read through the book and it explains many questions I had about making elegant looking boxes. Wether for gifts or for selling, this book will help. Photography is great, paper is heavy weight, a quality publication. As a woodworker, I find working with thinner stock is actually more difficult, the book helps remove some mystery to that as well. Update August 2009-I have now made a box using this book. I have to say, it went very well. The dimensions were spot on, the photos and how to’s were excellent. I made a jewelery box for my niece, and it was received very warmly indeed.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
J. Tomlinson –
This book provides a basic introduction to making a box. That’s all. What I wanted from the book was a detailed discussion of how to COMPLETE a box. There are many different techniques for making the bottom of a box. Please provide a detailed chapter that discusses at least five different techniques (hardwood, plywood, captured, rabbeted, something else that if I knew what it was, I would write the book). Please add what the pros and cons are to each method.
Making a box is easy. Sure, you can get fancy with some of the joinery. I have an Incra I-Box that pretty much ends the story for the sides of the box, but that darn bottom has so many possibilities. I want to know what they are. This book doesn’t tell me.
Helpful(0)Unhelpful(0)You have already voted this
★★★★★
Aidge –
I was wise to ignore the negative reviews. This is simply a beautiful, inspiring book. Maybe a little short on detail, but who cares?
Luk Goossens –
This is a great book to start making boxes. Very well explained and clear pictures. You do need a table saw and router table but if you want to make boxes you do need those anyhow.
The sizes are in inches, but that’s ok, you can just multiply everything by 2.5 to convert to cm.
I have now made 5 of the boxes that are in the book and have learned an awful lot from them. Would seriously recommend this book as your first buy.
Steven Hubbard –
Great book
Mr. Bill –
This is a good book, both as an introduction to boxmaking and as a reference I’ve returned to for ideas and techniques again and again. I recommend it!
Moving along, I do not understand the criticisms of the book offered by some people who complain of the equipment required to make the boxes considered in the book. What were they expecting? You do not do this level of work with a handheld circular saw and sawhorses, and no one should expect to do so. The good news is that you equally certainly do not need a “professional shop”.
If you come into this experience with realistic expectations you will be highly rewarded.
Caleb –
Just got it. At first glance it’s about making boxes
Ignazio –
Un bellissimo libro, pieno di fotografie e oggetti d’arte. Tantissime idee e creazioni diverse tra loro. Per tutti gli appassionati.
Michael A Fornof –
useful for our workshop
Kaypee –
I have been making cabinets and furniture for many years. I purchased this book to broaden my knowledge of woodworking. I have made the first three boxes in the book so far and I plan to make all of them as time allows.
I have been disappointed in the past with books and plans that are impossible to use with many mistakes and lack of detail. This book has all of the detail and description needed to make perfect boxes the first time. I have not found one dimension mistake so far.
The name of the book may be somewhat misleading. From the first very box a well equipped shop is required. The minimum equipment consist of a good quality table saw, a good table mounted router – not one of the $25 ones from Harbor Freight, a good selection of router bits, a thickness planer, a good selection of clamps, a band saw, and lots of patience.
At first I resisted taking the time to make the various jigs described in the book. Don’t make that mistake. The jigs will make your projects much safer and much more precise and attractive. They have many more uses on other projects and only take a few hours to construct.
I find box making very enjoyable. Everyone loves the boxes and I can see that I will have a hard time keeping up with demand from family and friends.
I would suggest making the boxes in the order that they appear in the book. Doug was careful about picking the order to increase skills as you progress.
October 14 2012
I have made all but one of the boxes in the book. I also bought the CD by the same author. I highly recommend the CD. I want to re-emphasize that the books name can be miss leading. This is not a book for begining woodworkers. I would recommend a high end after market router table. With this addition to your shop many of the procedures can be done safer and more accurately. The projects can be done with the home made table he describes but you will be much more satisfied with the results from a premium table.
Amazon Customer –
Bought this book to learn how to make a box for my daughters wedding. Simple to follow directions made it easy.
Christiane MOLINA –
Je suis un peu déçue.Outre le fait que ce livre est en anglais, ce que je savais bien sur, je me rends compte que l’auteur dispose de matériel professionnel imposant qui n’est pas à la portée de tout le monde.Je pensais que les modèles proposés étaient réalisables avec seulement une scie à chantourner et ce n’est pas le cas.
Electric Z –
I bought this and the accompanying DVD. I recommend both as to use together. I have been wood working for over 30 years and this book is great for a beginner or season wood worker.
It is easy to understand. There are some great ideas for jigs in the book that you can use for making boxes and also many other things.
What you learn is how to use the power tools you have in a very creative way. The author takes you from the basic to the more complex in an easy to follow and do manner. It should give you the confidence and knowledge on how to create something special.
I really like and enjoy this book. I think the DVD is great. I highly recommend
MikeyAit –
I have yet to make a box, however I have read through the book and it explains many questions I had about making elegant looking boxes. Wether for gifts or for selling, this book will help. Photography is great, paper is heavy weight, a quality publication. As a woodworker, I find working with thinner stock is actually more difficult, the book helps remove some mystery to that as well.
Update August 2009-I have now made a box using this book. I have to say, it went very well. The dimensions were spot on, the photos and how to’s were excellent. I made a jewelery box for my niece, and it was received very warmly indeed.
J. Tomlinson –
This book provides a basic introduction to making a box. That’s all. What I wanted from the book was a detailed discussion of how to COMPLETE a box. There are many different techniques for making the bottom of a box. Please provide a detailed chapter that discusses at least five different techniques (hardwood, plywood, captured, rabbeted, something else that if I knew what it was, I would write the book). Please add what the pros and cons are to each method.
Making a box is easy. Sure, you can get fancy with some of the joinery. I have an Incra I-Box that pretty much ends the story for the sides of the box, but that darn bottom has so many possibilities. I want to know what they are. This book doesn’t tell me.
Aidge –
I was wise to ignore the negative reviews. This is simply a beautiful, inspiring book. Maybe a little short on detail, but who cares?