Making Small Wooden Boxes

A veteran wood craftsman, the author gives detailed instructions for making boxes of many shapes and forms: hearts, triangles and pointed oblongs that can be joined by rabbet, mortice and tenon; apples, mushroom and tiny cylindrical needle holders that are ""turned'' on a lathe. (Leaf and dowel hinges are recommended for keeping lids on.) Jacobson discusses choices in wood materialwalnut, hard and soft maple and pecan are among the 50 common species listedand he gives advice on how to ``spalt'' the wood, a decaying process that creates unusual patterns on the material's surface. In the appendix, the author tells how to install the mechanical works for the perennial favorite, the music box. (October)