Cherry Box with a Slide-On Lid

I'm trying to master every kind of lid that a small box could have.  So far I've mastered simple drop on lids, a swivel lid, and hinged lids.   This little cherry box has a maple lid that slides on.  An undercut dovetail edge keeps it in place.  

CNC is done with the box.

Two pocket cuts were needed as well as one profile pass to make the box.  The center area and the front edge were pocket cuts.  The dovetailed undercut was a profile on-the-line pass.

Making the lid was the biggest challenge as all sides of it needed to be cut from a block barely larger than the final lid shape.  I split the dovetail undercut side and back edges into two paths, one for the right side and one for the left side.  That way I could clamp down the side that wasn't being cut.   I also was able to check the fit into the box while the lid was still clamped to the CNC.  Two minor .005" resets of the X axis and recuts of both sides crept up on a very good fit. 

A nice slip fit.

The dovetail undercut worked very well, although it took some careful toolpath creation for both the box and lid to fit so well.  Knowing the diameter and slope of the dovetail bit at different depths is the key.  Some drafting required. 

Half way open.

I also like the contrast between the maple lid and the cherry box. Grain alignment of both should eliminate any threat of the fit changing with humidity changes. 

Just Two Parts.

Before this box existed the wood used was just two scrap cutoffs from other larger projects.  I've always resisted throwing out cutoff ends if they were of a good hardwood.  Wood pieces with flaws or splits often have an undamaged section that could be used, if only there was a project for small pieces.   These little boxes are that project. 

Comments encourage!

4D