Sometimes there is no convenient place to keep a blacking box, in which case the best we can do is to make a shoe-brush box and hang it on the wall. The back space will hold a pair of brushes, and the smaller one in front is for the polish, the daubing brush and polishing rag. The construction is not difficult, and when the box is stained a dark brown or painted black it presents a neat appearance.

The two side pieces should be about a half inch thick, and the back, front and center piece about three-eighths. To get a pattern for the sides, mark out four rows of one-inch squares, eight in a row. Take a pair of compasses and with the sharp point set on the black dots marked on the working drawing, draw in the curves, and you will have the correct shape for the end almost at once. This may all be done on a flat sheet of paper, after which the pattern is cut out with the scissors so that it may be transferred to the wood. Another way is to draw the squares directly on the wood in the first place. This is the more accurate way, and if one edge of the wood is planed exactly straight, so that the square will slide along nicely, the small squares may be very quickly and accurately drawn. Always use a sharp pencil, and do not bear down hard. When the outline is complete saw it out with the fret saw, after which the edges are to be trimmed and sandpapered. The two sides should be exactly the same when placed together.

The back board is next in order, and should be marked and cut out in the same way as the sides. Bore a quarter-inch hole near the top in the exact center for hanging, after which prepare the front board, which requires no further attention after the ends are trimmed off smooth and square. Be sure that this piece is exactly as long as the back is wide.

The putting together may now begin. Nail through the back into the sides, and then nail on the front, after which the bottom should be cut so that it will fit snugly inside. Nail this in place, and then fit in the center piece, which is fastened in place by nailing in through the sides.