Drum Style Box with Pewter Insert

A textured pewter inlay elevates this elegant box to something that you'll be proud to display.

- By Jimmy Clewes

PROJECT #2211

Skill Level: Intermediate

Time: 4 Hours

Cost: $30

Interested in the novelty of melting, casting, and texturing pewter? With this turned drum style box, I'll show you how to make a beautiful enhancement to any woodturning or woodworking project.

Begin with a blank of wood that is 6 long and 3 square. I chose a rippled maple blank, often referred to as curly maple. Find the center of one end by marking a couple of lines on each end, from corner to corner.

Then I use a center punch to pop an indent in the middle where the drive and revolving center will be located. I prefer to use the Sorby Stebb center or a similar drive from PSI Industries to mount the square and a revolving ring and point center in the tailstock.

Prepare and Separate the Blank

First, I use a spindle roughing gouge to turn the box blank from square to round. Next, I use a pair of dividers to set the diameter of the tenons. There will be a tenon turned on each end of the blank to fit the chuck jaws. After marking, I use a parting tool to cut each tenon to the correct size.

Now, we must divide the blank into thirds. One-third, the lid, is cut from the blank. I prefer to use a band saw to do this with the use of a “v” block to hold the piece securely and safely. Cutting it this way, I only lose the width of the band saw blade, which is about a 1/16. If it parted it off, I would lose a 1/8. This smaller waste allows for a much better grain match between the lid and the base.

Turn the Inside of the Lid