Making Heirloom Boxes

The boxes in this book are incredible and highly elaborate. But take this book as a catalog for ideas, not as an instructional guide. Being quite complex these boxes, the explanation is simply not good enough. It is very verbose, I am sure it all make sense in the writers mind but I felt to be impossible to follow the text and visualize what he meant.

The book was in excellent condition, as promised.

I found the designs interesting but more rustic than I was looking for. The "heirloom" in the title made me think of more traditional, refined boxes. I found the projects a little bulky. The work really lets the wood and grain do the talking. The pictures and explanations are excellent. You really can see very easily how to do the projects (strap hinges and all). I did like seeing the variations on hinges. The strap hinges, tilt hinge, pivot hinge. If you are looking for ideas for a traditional jewelry box, this isn't that, but it will give you some creative ideas.

To be honest I did not find many of the boxes in this book that attractive. Granted I am not what you would call a sensisitve artsy kind of guy, but I just thought some of the boxes in the book were not very nice looking.The instruction and detail of the book were very good but I found many of them just plain odd looking.Might just be my idea of what a Heirloom box should look like.

If you're just starting into box making it's a bit much. It's more of an eccentric idea book than a how-to book. I suspect someone that had the advanced woodworking skills and experience to make these boxes would not need this book except for ideas.

I make boxes. I make pens and bowls and boxes, but I was and still am inspired by this book. Mr. Lloyd has got to be one of the best craftsmen in the field. I wrote him with a question about finishing and he actually responded with a very helpful answer. So, not only is he a good craftslman but, a good guy.

Superb boxes. Original designs. To follow the plans takes a bit more than beginner's knowledge, I think. Good to read anyway, for a woodworker. Oh yes: watch the metric/English measure conversions. Page 26: 1500 mm (= l.5 m) = 5 ft (60 in.), not 5 in. Page 91: 550 mm = 22 in., not 220

Haven't finished reading completely, I feel that just by quickly browsing the book it is going to be very helpful.

Peter's boxes are beautifully objects, and this book takes you through his personal approaches to box making, including tools, materials and his philosophy. It then walks the reader through several of his designs, each introducing more advanced techniques as the book progresses. It assumes a moderate grounding in the basics of woodworking, so isn't for the absolute beginner. But if you have a decent grounding in working with wood then you should find the book an invaluable source of ideas, techniques and inspiration.

Bought this as making keepsake for wedding. great instructions and gives you projects to build from. already attempted one and it went...okay more my fault that the books though highly recommend

This is a brilliant, if slightly quirky book. If you are just starting to make your own boxes then get a basic "how to" book first, then buy this as your second book for some brilliant ideas for making the out-of-the-ordinary box which will lead you on to creating your own ideas. This is a must for every serious box maker.

An excellent book written by a true craftsman. Despite this being a second hand item, it was in good condition and arrived promptly.

If you are new to box building ( which i am) this is an excellent resource, I would recommend it