By Seth Keller filed under Last Minute Woodworking Gifts, Plans and Projects, Woodworking Projects .
![How to Make a Recipe Box (1) How to Make a Recipe Box (1)](https://i0.wp.com/d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/2015/03/16194406/recipe_box_project.jpg)
Let the Feast Begin!
At our house, we use an iPad search for much of our cooking, but we also have a slew of recipes passed down from grandparents or culled from the Food & Wine section of the local newspaper. I’ll never throw away these pre-internet culinary gems, and I’ve designed a simple, beautiful recipe box in which to store them. This project not only uses up all those beautiful little wood scrapes lying around the shop, but it also features a hand carved thumb tab, making it an economical and unique holiday gift. I made this recipe box for 3” x 5” index cards, but feel free to scale up for larger recipe cards. I use 1/8” thick birch plywood for the top and bottom, and a beautiful piece of 3/8” thick, 4” wide blond hardwood that I salvaged from a shipping pallet. I’m guessing it’s pearwood, but any stable wood will do!
Rip a Groove in the Blank
![How to Make a Recipe Box (3) How to Make a Recipe Box (3)](https://i0.wp.com/d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/2015/03/16194406/saw_dados_in_the_box.jpg)
Miter the Box
![How to Make a Recipe Box (4) How to Make a Recipe Box (4)](https://i0.wp.com/d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/2015/03/16194406/miters_on_the_crosscut_sled.jpg)
Clamp with Tape
![How to Make a Recipe Box (5) How to Make a Recipe Box (5)](https://i0.wp.com/d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/2015/03/16194406/glue_up_the_box.jpg)
Bandsaw the Top Off the Box
![How to Make a Recipe Box (6) How to Make a Recipe Box (6)](https://i0.wp.com/d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/2015/03/16194406/bandsaw_the_top.jpg)
Face Mount the Hinges
![How to Make a Recipe Box (7) How to Make a Recipe Box (7)](https://i0.wp.com/d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/2015/03/16194406/attach_the_hinges.jpg)
Carve the Thumb Tab
![How to Make a Recipe Box (8) How to Make a Recipe Box (8)](https://i0.wp.com/d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/wwgoa/content/uploads/2015/03/16194406/pare_the_thumb_tab.jpg)
The lightly faceted thumb tab is proof that this box is handmade. Determine the width of the tab; slightly less than 1/3 the length works well. Using a sliding square, deeply mark the edges with a utility knife or X-Acto knife. Then gently carve away a 45-degree facet between the marks to make the finger tab. Sand the box up to 220-grit and gently ease all of the edges. Complete the project by finishing with your preferred clear coat. If you plan to give this as a present, please wait 24 hours before wrapping!
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12 Responses to “Recipe Box”
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MIke Good I'm a rookie here so little experience with a bandsaw; the only thing that surprises me is that a fence wasn't used on the bandsaw. Seems like that adds a lot of risk to keeping it clean and square?
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Larry Thank you for your way of doing and explaining things. I didn’t think I could learn at 68 but you’ve helped tremendously. Thanks again and have a blessed holiday. Larry
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Gary Already a member. how do I download the videos? Speaking specifically the 10 gift ideas
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CHRISTOPHE John needs a board Streicher to bend the box
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Frank barker If use 3/8 piece of wood what thickness do you use for the top and the bottom, maybe I missed that. Enjoyed this want to try it soon. Have you heard of the ew Dao set. I think it is called a Dao Folding Miter Set. It does just what you have shown to do with a saw. Rockler is selling the set I believe. Thank you for your demo.
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Allen Michael This one's really well made! Thank you for sharing this. I think this can also serve as a small storage or a simple jewelry box, with just the right adjustments of wood. Thank you for sharing the tip about the screws. Very helpful.
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Kenny Love it would like more ideas
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Chris Is there any way to get a PDF of these instructions?
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Tammie I want this plan to build please
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John Hinderliter I understand how to cut the miter cuts but how do I bend the wood without breaking it?