As someone who’s made probably thirty bandsaw boxes at this point — some as gifts, some as experiments, a few as commissions — I learned everything there is to know about this deceptively simple project. Today, I will share it all with you. Bandsaw boxes look way harder than they actually are. You’re carving a box out of a solid chunk of wood using almost nothing but bandsaw cuts. No joinery, no complicated glue-ups — just clever cutting and some sanding.
How the Whole Thing Works
Start with a thick block of wood. Cut off the back, cut out the drawer shape, hollow the inside of the drawer, then glue the back on. That’s the basic sequence. The drawer slides in and out of the cavity you created, and since the whole thing came from one piece of wood, the grain matches perfectly across every surface.
The trick is understanding the cut sequence. You make cuts, remove pieces, then glue parts back together to create compartments. It sounds confusing written down, but it clicks the first time you actually do it. Bandsaw box techniques has gotten complicated with all the YouTube tutorials flying around, but the fundamentals haven’t changed.
Picking Your Wood
You want something with interesting grain that’s not too hard on your bandsaw blade. Walnut is my go-to — cuts cleanly and looks incredible with just an oil finish. Cedar works beautifully and smells amazing every time you open the drawer. Cherry darkens over time in a way that a lot of people really love.
Avoid really hard woods like hickory or white oak for your first few boxes. They chew through blades and don’t forgive hesitation on curves. Soft woods like pine technically work but tend to look cheap unless you’re deliberately going for a rustic aesthetic.
Thickness is important. You need at least 3-4 inches to make a box with a usable drawer. Check lumber yards for turning blanks, or laminate thinner stock together — though solid wood looks better since there’s no visible glue line.
Getting Your Bandsaw Dialed In
Use a narrow blade — 1/4″ or 3/8″. You’ll be making curved cuts and tight turns that a wide blade just can’t track through without burning or binding.
Blade tension should be firm. A loose blade wanders and gives you wavy cuts that show up as visible gaps when you glue the back on. Take the time to set your guides properly too. Probably should have led with this section, honestly — blade setup determines whether the whole project goes smoothly or drives you crazy.
The Build Process Step by Step
Draw your design on the wood first. Mark where the drawer goes, where the cavity needs to be, and where each cut happens.
Cut off the back — about 1/4″ thick. This piece gets glued back on at the end. Set it aside somewhere safe. I’ve lost a back piece once. Not fun.
Cut out the drawer shape from the front, following your line all the way through the block. Then cut the inside out of the drawer blank to create the cavity. Leave walls at least 1/4″ thick — thinner than that and they’ll crack eventually.
Glue the back onto the main body. Once that’s dry, glue a bottom onto the drawer. Sand everything smooth, ease all the edges, and apply your favorite finish. That’s what makes bandsaw boxes endearing to us woodworkers — the whole thing comes together in an afternoon.
Getting Creative with Design
Start simple. A rectangular box with one drawer teaches you the process without complications. Once you’ve got the basics down, try curved fronts, multiple drawers stacked vertically, or organic shapes that follow the natural grain patterns in the wood.
Some people go wild: animal shapes, abstract sculptures with hidden compartments, boxes that stack into modular pieces. The bandsaw is surprisingly flexible once you stop thinking exclusively in straight lines.
Mistakes I’ve Made So You Don’t Have To
Cutting the back too thin. It warps and cracks. Keep it at least 1/4″ — I actually prefer 3/8″ now for insurance.
Drawer fits too tight. Sand the sides until it slides freely. Remember that wood moves with humidity, so leave room for seasonal expansion. A drawer that’s perfect in July might stick in December.
Rushing the glue-up. Clamp it properly and wait overnight. Gaps at the back seam will haunt you forever, and no amount of sanding hides a bad glue joint on a bandsaw box.
