Valentines Heart Box

Instructions

I cut 4 identical pieces 5"x5" .5" thick (Very Important that all pieces are identical) I used 2 different species of wood like maple/walnut or my favorite cherry and pakauk Put side pieces in vertical WorkStation with end grain pointing upwards. Make sure everything is co-planer if not all the the Tenons wont be the correct height. Becasue we will be doing multiple pieces make sure the piece tight against left guide and level with top of Vertical WS Put a 1/8" cutting into SO Next I did a new grid 1/8" spacing and then imported the SVG and anchored to the bottom left corner Note I used the same SVG to cut the Tenons and the Mortise as well as the grove for the bottom from same SVG when cutting the hearts tenons. No Offset, outside cut max depth (thickness of the material +.05) in my case 5.05 Don't guess measure it with calipers when cutting the Tenons make sure all the hearts are outside cuts prior to starting. I change the outside box to GUIDE so when moving from Tenon to Tenon the outside box isn't selected. I cut each Tenon at .125/.250/.375/.505 I didnt get agressive here and try to make deeper cuts with less passes. I was going for accuracy. Once you have all the Tenons cut out then change the heart shaped tenons to GUIDE and change the Box from GUIDE to Pocket. I put a -.07 offset on the pocket. Carfully pocket around the tenons to the same depth .505 Next flip the side board end for end keeping the orientation that same. Clamp into vertical WS verify height and is properly registered into the same spot. Clear cut history change box from POCKET to GUIDE and change Heart Shaped Tenons from Guide to OUTSIDE cut. Make off set zero. then cut each Tenon at .125/.250/.375/.505 Once you have all the Tenons cut out then change the heart shaped tenons to GUIDE and change the Box from GUIDE to Pocket. I put a -.07 offset on the pocket. Carfully pocket around the tenons to the same depth .505 Now you are finished with the Tenons on 1 board. Do the samething on Second Board Clear Cut History and erase any objects I cut out a handful of Hearts that will be used as the positive inlay. I just made my material ~.15 in thickness then imported the SVG and placed on material several times and cut out the hearts. OUTSIDE CUT no Offsets 1/8" cutter Clear Cut History and erase any objects Next we need to cut the Mortises. Lay Front board on Spoiler board with grain running left to Right. I attached my boards to the Spoiler board using blue tape and CA glue and accelator. Make sure the board is co-planer with Vertical WS and register accurately. I created a new Grid 1/8" spacing and imported the the SVG and anchored for the bottom left. Make sure ALL the mortises are inside cuts (Helix cuts). set debth to .5" plus a little I use .505" This makes sure you go all the way thru but doesnt cut too deeply into spoiler board. When you hoover over the Mortise is should be a Helix cut. Just hold firmly the SO and hit green button. It will helix to max cut. Do all the Mortises. Next I cut the Heart negative inlay with NO Offest and debth .1" Inside cut then pocket it out. Test fit with positive is should be tight What i noticed is the point on the heart is a little sharp. When you test fit tap slight you might have to nip off the tip 1/64th or so. Don't hammer positive in until you are ready to glue! Once I cut all the mortises and inlay hearts on the Front and back pieces. Test fit everything fit the pieces and very IMPORTANT make the inside where bottom goes on all pieces Next I mount the front onto the spoiler board with FACE DOWN and cut the groove in. I adjusted the grove to 1/8" wide 1/8" deep. Adjust for the thickness of your material. You shouldn't have to re-grid or replace the SVG After you have done the Front, back and both sides you are ready to move to Glue Up. Glue it/clamp it/let it dry/sand it flush with 120/220/320 I shellac mine and I buffed others both come out really nicely. There are several ways to put the top on I cut the top about 1/4" wider than the box so 5.25" square then routed a 3/16-1/4" deep around the outside. I mounted the top onto the spoiler board and centered the SVG on the top and cut inside no offset all the way thru. Then took engraver bit an beveled the edge .1" deep. Some boxes I just used a round over bit. Both come out nicely