A WORD BEFORE BEGINNING
To avoid repetition in the descriptions, directions applying in common to all the various articles are here
given, together with a few brief hints to help make the way smooth.
SELECTION OF THE BOX
The appearance of the completed articles made from the various boxes called for in this site will depend
very much upon one ’s ability to obtain boxes that are in good condition. Therefore, select the best,
discarding those that are out of shape and have serious blemishes, such as brands burned on their surface,
knotholes, orother serious defects which will be difficult to obliterate.
Many boxes are now made having “dovetailed” corners.
If a side or an end is to be removed, this kind of box must be rejected.
DISJOINTING THE BOX
When the box is to be partially or entirely taken apart, first remove the cover, then loosen the joints
slightly by gently tapping on the inside close to the joint to be severed until the nails are “started.” Then tap
the side or bottom (as the case may be), and from the outside withdraw the nail with the hammer claw. The
box will readily come apart if both the cover and the bottom are removed.
It is sometimes necessary to take the box entirely apart, and plane its sections in order to remove serious
blemishes and enhance its appearance, and put it to-gether again. If the box is to be used with the side or
end removed, it is better to withdraw too many rather than too few nails. Then close up and re-nail the joints
and fasten the cover on again.
end removed, it is better to withdraw too many rather than too few nails. Then close up and re-nail the joints
and fasten the cover on again.
CORNER TRIM AND LEGS
The method of making the corner trim and legs is the same for all the articles. They are always
made of a narrow and a. wider "strip nailed together to form a right angle' (regardless of their length, although
size of material called for varies), each side of the angle measuring alike.
In joining them together, use small nails or large brads 1% inches long, driven about 4 inches apart.
NAILING
When nailing together the various parts, it is well to drive the nails so that their points will remain hidden.
In joining boxes, the nails are driven from the inside of one box through its side, end, or bottom (as the case
may be), into and through the abutting portion of the adjoin-ing box. Use nails of the right length to project
1/3 of an inch or more inside of the latter box, where the points should be bent over at a right angle, which is
termed “clinching the nail.” The size of the nails for the various pieces and the distance apart they should be
spaced must be a matter of individual judgment of the worker; generally speaking, however, a nail having a
length equal to the combined thickness of the parts to be joined is sufficient, unless allowance is to be made
for clinching. Use brads when possible, or wire nails with small heads, and with a nail-set and hammer drive
their heads slightly below the surface in order that they may show very little or be entirely hidden.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Select good covers for the doors or lids, and smooth the edges and surfaces of each article by planing,
scraping, and sandpapering. All objectionable nail-holes near the edges and any similar defects may be filled
with a mix-ture of putty and sawdust or pegs of wood driven in and trimmed of! even with the surface. Pure
putty will not absorb stain, therefore add as much sawdust as the putty will hold.
Spools sawed in half and screwed on make very good home-made knobs. Serviceable buttons for the doors
can be easily made of wood if desired. The prepared paints and varnishes sold in most of the paint-stores
make an excellent finish. Flat stains of the dark hues are also very good, but the light ones are too trans-
parent and will not cover well.
DECORATION
The simple motifs shown in the several interiors are an adaptation of the “Hoffmann method” of utilizing the
square as the basic principle in decoration. They are shown in combinations of two or more squares, or parts
length equal to the combined thickness of the parts to be joined is sufficient, unless allowance is to be made
for clinching. Use brads when possible, or wire nails with small heads, and with a nail-set and hammer drive
their heads slightly below the surface in order that they may show very little or be entirely hidden.
FINISHING TOUCHES
Select good covers for the doors or lids, and smooth the edges and surfaces of each article by planing,
scraping, and sandpapering. All objectionable nail-holes near the edges and any similar defects may be filled
with a mix-ture of putty and sawdust or pegs of wood driven in and trimmed of! even with the surface. Pure
putty will not absorb stain, therefore add as much sawdust as the putty will hold.
Spools sawed in half and screwed on make very good home-made knobs. Serviceable buttons for the doors
can be easily made of wood if desired. The prepared paints and varnishes sold in most of the paint-stores
make an excellent finish. Flat stains of the dark hues are also very good, but the light ones are too trans-
parent and will not cover well.
DECORATION
The simple motifs shown in the several interiors are an adaptation of the “Hoffmann method” of utilizing the
square as the basic principle in decoration. They are shown in combinations of two or more squares, or parts
of the same, as in the Nursery Interior. This method makes it possible to have attractive rooms decorated in
a simple manner without any especial art training. It may be so applied that nail-heads and other imperfec-
tions will be less conspicuous, as shown in the Kitchen Interior. It may also be effectively woven into rugs,
appliqued or stenciled on the table-covers and hangings, and stenciled on the side walls.
TOOLS
tions will be less conspicuous, as shown in the Kitchen Interior. It may also be effectively woven into rugs,
appliqued or stenciled on the table-covers and hangings, and stenciled on the side walls.
TOOLS
The hammer is the most useful of all the tools required, therefore get a good one, a carpenter ’s claw-
hammer, selecting one with a claw that will draw nails that project but slightly above the surface.
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