Another First

[1075tech]

I mostly just browse here and get ideas on things I'd like to do.

I admit that I often feel intimidated and way out of my league when I see some of your creations.

But, we all have to start somewhere.

The wood for this was some scrap firewood that was given to me.

Cherry (I believe) and walnut. Finish is just a rub down with beeswax.

Mistakes were made. Lessons were learned.

 

[Berta]

Lessons were learned and you are happy. The box is beautiful! I think it’s a success all the way around!

 

[Graywolf]

Thank you for sharing your project. I would like to encourage you and anyone to share their adventure. That is how we gain knowledge and confidence. I hope you had fun doing this box.

 

[mdbuntyn]

You're going to hate it in a few years, but it looks good to me right now

 

[1075tech]

The wood was given to me as rounds. Just pieces of logs. The cherry was small enough that I could cut it using the table saw and a sawzall. The walnut I had to make the first cut with the chainsaw.

I cut it on the table saw and left it to acclimate for a couple of weeks. It was already down to under 20% mc when I first cut it.

I ended with a finished thickness of 1/2" except for the bottom which is 3/4. The bottom was routed to accept the carcass and glued.

I built a jig for the table saw to make the slots for the splines. The splines are also walnut.

Mistakes made
- first time using a router table. The bottom doesn't fit tight as it should.

- my miters were good but I didn't have it clamped properly and they ended up being off

- I need to pay better attention to small details. My splines are not uniform thickness.

 

[Mike Davis]

You will be hand cutting dovetail joints in your boxes before you know it. Nice first box,

 

[Ptofimpact]

Very nice!

 

[1075tech]

You will be hand cutting dovetail joints in your boxes before you know it. Nice first box,

One thing I did get right was having you show me how to sharpen those chisels. Only 3 bandaids!

 

[mpholway]

Nice. Keep em comming.

 

[John Jimenez]

Tim….nice job! Take a step back and look at what you were able to craft out of some logs that most people would throw on a fire. It’s all about the journey my friend. Keep it up!

 

[Dovetail]

I think the Walnut and cherry are a great combination, and the box has nice proportions.

 

[Wiley's Woodworks]

You're going to hate it in a few years, but it looks good to me right now

Matt's right, but this is one of the joys of woodworking--getting better at your craft. Next box you make, I suggest two upgrades:

1. Put in an additional set of splines, i.e. 2 splines per corner. It will look better and be more stable in regards to wood movement throughout the seasons. You will solve the spline thickness problem by making a spline cutting jig (a simple project that can be used forever), and making your cuts on the table saw. Now every spline slot is 1/8" wide, and you just trim/sand the splines to a tight fit.
2. Recess the hinge blades into the lid and carcass so just the barrel is exposed. You can find hinges with <1/2" long blades easily. The hinges on this tabletop box look like overkill to me in regards to strength needed.

In a few years look back on this and even though your first reaction may be to hate it, smile and be proud of the progress you made in your woodworking skills.

 

[drw]

From firewood you created something very special...thanks for sharing!

 

[Hmerkle]

Frankly Tim,
I would be VERY happy with that box. (you should be proud of it)
Remember you can see the things you are not happy with, but the form is good the miters are good and the dimensional relationship (length to width to height) is good!

As Richard and Wiley mention, as you progress, you look back and see your progress.

 

[1075tech]

Thanks everyone for your kind remarks.

I did add two more splines to each corner so now there are 3, more or less equally spaced. That does make it look a bit better.

Tomorrow I'll sand to 320 and reapply the wax.

Today I cut and glued some of the scrap walnut with some red oak I salvaged from a pallet to make some coasters.

 

[Craptastic]

Thanks everyone for your kind remarks.

I did add two more splines to each corner so now there are 3, more or less equally spaced. That does make it look a bit better.

Tomorrow I'll sand to 320 and reapply the wax.

Today I cut and glued some of the scrap walnut with some red oak I salvaged from a pallet to make some coasters.

Cool. Sounds like a good move.

Please post pics after. I love what you have done so far and would love even more to see the improvements.

 

[kelLOGg]

That looks very good to me! ... and that it was made from wood that someone thought should be burned just adds more to the story.

 

[bob vaughan]

That box is far better than my first box, but this forum wasn't available to me in 1969.

 

[1075tech]

The added splines and resanded.

 

[Graywolf]

The added splines and resanded.

View attachment 224156View attachment 224157

Well played!