Growing up, I remember a family member having a small circular salt cellar in their kitchen that hinged open.
I wanted to make a square version, except with a magnetic part that allows one side to snap shut when it swings closed.
PROCESS
Use 2 x 3’ pine scraps to make the two parts:
3 x 3” l x w and 2” thick.
Bottom part is 1 1/2” thick.
Lid is 1/2” thick.
Make the dowel pin hole:
Drill a 3/16”/5mm hole on the upper left corner, from the top
and through both pieces (leave about 1/2” at the bottom.
Sand!
Make the hinge:
Glue the dowel pin to the top of the lid, which will
allow the lid to freely move.
Make the magnet holes:
Drill two 3/16/5mm holes about 6mm deep
under the lid and on the top of the bottom piece
(so that they face each other when the box is closed.
Leave the top magnet peeking out like 1 mm, and sand the bottom magnet flush with the wood.
Fit two magnets into both holes so that when
the lid swings, the magnets catch each other.
Clean up and seal with beeswax MATERIALS
2x3’ pine scraps
30mm dowel pin
5x6mm magnets
epoxy
wood fill
sandpaper: 60, 100, 220 grit
INITIAL DRAWING