Frequently Asked Questions Q. How long does it take to build a Tackle or Jewelry Box? A. Because I build in groups of 4-6, It is hard to tell, I estimate that each box takes about 20 hours. It's hard to be exact because varnishing usually takes five coats and must be sanded between each coat. There are lots of variable to take into consideration while building each one. Q. Where do you get all the beautiful wood you use? A. Hunting for wood is as much fun as hunting for lures or duck decoys, I get a lot of the exotics in the Florida Keys. After a hurricane a person I know gathers and rough saws as much as he can, It is stacked by hurricane name and left to dry for two or 3 years. They are no longer allowed to plant anything but Native American Trees in Florida anymore. I also get alot of great wood from a guitar maker in Kentucky. I have many other stories too numerous to go into. Q. How many boxes have you produced so far? A. As of 2005 NFLCC National I hope to complete my 260th box. This will also complete my 4th year building. Q. Can I choose my own wood? A. I used to take custom orders but I got 29 behind one time and it became a task rather than a pleasure. Also sometimes the wood does not match the way a person may expect it to, I will on occasion still do custom orders but try to sell only what is on display at the shows. Q. How do I get a Dave Hoover box? A. I usually only sell at shows, only on one occasion have I sold to someone that I have not met face to face. This new Web Site may change that. Q. Can a box be built different sizes, larger or smaller? A. I have made many size boxes..For a while I was making very large saltwater by special order but they were so hard to handle that I said no more..I on two occasions have made real small ones but I have the same number of cuts & glue ups so the price is about the same. Usually the size of the box depends upon the grain of the wood & the burl. I do not cut into the best part of the wood just to make a box a certain size..I do like to vary things from time to time. Q. Why did you change from a regular to a double dovetail box? A. I like to try to keep advancing in the styles. The double dovetail was a real challenge. I am planning now to go one step further with that & wrap it around the sides as well. Also I am looking at some changes on the multi purpose boxes. You either go forward or backward, no staying the same. Q. What is the cost of the Tackle Box and Jewelry Boxes? A. At shows I have been saying for 2 years anything with a handle is $400, anything with a hinge is $450...I am going to change that and go more by what the finished product looks like....I used to say no matter the cost of wood it is so labor intensive that it makes no difference...Now I can no longer get some woods so it does make a difference..At Lang's spring 2005 auction The Curly Koa Box sold for over $900...I am not going to up my prices because of that, That was an exceptional tacklebox with an oil finish, there will be no more like it...I want to stay within the price that currently exists but with exceptional boxes bringing more.