Boxworks Series
Experience Level: ANY
Instructor: Gary Rogowski
Moderator: Jamie Harpster and Andrew Gonzales
Class Size: 25 Mission Students Only
Series: 4 courses at 2 sessions and 3 hours each
This course is virtual via Zoom
Course Description
Boxworks
A series of four 6 hour classes that will teach you joinery, design, and how to use details to make building boxes special. Please consider joining us for all four classes and your skills and confidence about your woodworking will improve.
Box One: Two Seals Box Jan. 21 and Jan. 28, 2026, 2pm to 5pm PT (5pm – 8pm ET)
This box has the simplest joinery possible: pinned butt joints. All you need is to be able to cut stock to length accurately. But we will also do some work with our tuned up block planes to clean the end grain for glue sizing the joint for strength. Learn how to size your dowel pins and how to pin the joint next for strength. We will make a lift off lid with handles that give us grip and a sense of closeness.
The handle design came from my walks in the Portland Japanese Garden, https://japanesegarden.org/.
Box Two: Pencil Heirloom Box Feb. 18 and Feb. 25, 2026, 2pm to 5pm PT (5pm – 8pm ET)
You could put letters in this box or papers, phones, three pairs of socks, or all your change and love letters. It’s guaranteed to be a project you’ll be proud to say that you made. Better yet, give it to someone who will treasure it forever because it comes from you.
Finger joints are through joints and there is a method for cutting them on the band saw. You will learn how to saw the joints for this box and if you want, how to shape them. Discover how great using hand planes are for cleaning up a surface. Get assembly tips and techniques to glue up the box and make a lid for it. Discover how to pin hinge it and design and make your handle for access and as a point of design focus. We will also learn a simple technique using papers to decorate and delight the inside of the box.
Box Three: Dream of a Fat White Box Apr. 8 and Apr. 15, 2026, 2pm to 5pm PT (5pm – 8pm ET)
Some boxes tell a story or hold one inside. This finger jointed box with its thick sides and top gives us the opportunity for shaping and holding an idea. Learn how to cut these joints using the band saw. Then discover how to rough out a shape using a rasp and how to clean it using a spokeshave. These tools can make a huge variety of forms for you. Being able to shape wood is one of its great gifts to us.
Finally we will pin the joints, carve in a pull type handle for the lid and texture the surface with hand planes. Milk paint can make the dullest wood look special.
Box Four: Pillow Hat Box May 6 and May 13, 2026, 2pm to 5pm PT (5pm – 8pm ET)
Hand cut dovetails are one of the pinnacles of woodworking skill. Cutting them in pine is another because the wood is so soft that your tools need to be extra sharp. Learn techniques for sharpening and tips for cutting through dovetails. It’s simple once you understand how to saw.
Details in box making are important to help a box stand out. Learn shaping techniques using your chisel and using rasps and spokeshaves. Lids, legs/ plinths, and handles are focal points in design. Discover simple options that will make your box have a real presence.
Tools/Materials Needed
Tools for all courses:
Measuring and marking tools: pencils, 6″ rule, tape measure, square, sliding bevel
Cutting tools: chisels, block plane, smoothing plane, spokeshave, hand saws (rip and cross)
Abrading tools: files and rasps, sharpening stones
Bench tools: bench with vise, clamps, paint brushes
Misc.: playing cards, shellac
Tools and Materials Per course:
Box One: Two Seals Box: Milk Paint, Drill and Bits, Carving or Shaping tools for handle and Plow Plane or Router Planer or Table Saw (to cut groove)
-3/16″ and 1/8″ dowel rods at least 12″ long
-Milk paint – color of your choosing for the handle
-Cut list: 4/4 stock:
Sides ½ x 2 ¼ x 11 ½” -2
Ends ½ x 2 ¼ x 4 ½ – 2
Lid ½ x ~ [roughly] 4 ½ x 11 ½ 2 bf 4/4 wood
Bottom ¼ x ~ [roughly] 4 ½ x 11 ½ ¼” plywood
Box Two: Pencil Heirloom Box: Bandsaw (required), Drill and Bits, and Water Based Polyurethane
-3/16″ and 1/8″ dowel rods at least 12″ long
-Cut list: 4/4 stock
Sides ½ x 3 x 9″ -2
Ends ½ x 3 x 6 – 2
Lid ½ x ~ [roughly] x 6 x 9 2 bf 4/4 wood
Bottom ¼ x ~ [roughly] 4 ½ x 11 ½ ¼” plywood
1 sheet of decorative paper (we recommend getting 2-3 sheets for practice): https://www.mulberrypaperandmore.com/
Box Three: Dream of a Fat White Box: Carving tools for texture, Milk Paint, and Plow Plane or Router Planer or Table Saw (to cut groove)
-Cut list: 4/4 stock
Sides 3/4 x 3 x 7″ -2
Ends 3/4 x 3 x 6 – 2
Lid 3/4 x ~ [roughly] x 6 x 7 2 bf 4/4 wood
Bottom ¼ x ~ [roughly] 6 x 7 ¼” plywood
Box Four: Pillow Hat Box:
-Cut list: 4/4 stock
Sides ½ x 3 ½ x 8″ -2
Ends ½ x 3 ½ x 7 – 2
Lid 3/4 x ~ [roughly] x 7 x 8 2 bf 4/4 wood
Bottom ¼ x ~ [roughly] 7 x 8 ¼” plywood
If taking all courses the lumber, ply, and dowel rods are about:
-1 = 4/4 x 4″ x 8′ board in Alder, Soft Maple, or Poplar is best. If you want to get a wood high in tannic acid like Walnut or Oak we can play with simple stains.
-1/2 sheet of 1/4″ plywood
-1 = 36″ length of 3/16″ and 1/8″ dowel rod
Course Cost*
This course is for Mission Students only. If you do not have a diagnosis or disability and want to take courses with Gary, please see his website: https://northwestwoodworking.com/
*Application steps are in the registration form or click HERE to see if you qualify
Course Dates
Box Two: Pencil Heirloom Box – February 18th and 25th from 2pm – 5pm PT (5pm – 8pm ET)
Box Three: Dream of a Fat White Box – April 8th and 15th from 2pm – 5pm PT (5pm – 8pm ET)
Box Four: Pillow Hat Box – May 6th and 13th from 2pm – 5pm PT (5pm – 8pm ET)