Gun Cleaning Box
This project was commissioned by my best friend's girlfriend FOR my best friend (who I have been friends with since 2nd grade).
I was told that he liked the 'gun cleaning kit' in the Cabella's catalog and wanted one for Christmas. Well, she decided to commission me to make one instead of ordering it from the catalog. I told her that if she would pay for the materials I would do the work for free, which also left more room in her budget for better materials.
Here is the Cabella's version:
Here are my Sketchup drawings:
The main difference in design is the way the lid opens. I plan to make my lid open like two wings. This will allow for a larger work space to set cleaning supplies (and keep them off the bench). I will also engineer the hinges so that when you open the two lids the arms which hold the rifle automatically swing into place like a pop-up book.
My box will also have a locking lid and a brass rod which slips through the top of the box down into the drawer fronts to keep them locked much like a craftsman tool box. The rod can only be taken out when the lid is open. All hardware will be premium solid brass.
I chose a piece of Bloodwood 3/4"x13"x5' for the project. I am trying to expand my working knowledge of different species of hardwoods. I have never worked with Bloodwood before. Its gorgeous but not cheap.
I spent quite a bit of time sketching and drawing the joinery and proportions on paper before I made the Sketchup computer drawings:
Here it is cut into the main dimensions for the sides of the box:
I had to stop because I realized that my new jointer is not set up and that would have been the next step. Like always, I'll keep posting the progress.
This project was commissioned by my best friend's girlfriend FOR my best friend (who I have been friends with since 2nd grade).
I was told that he liked the 'gun cleaning kit' in the Cabella's catalog and wanted one for Christmas. Well, she decided to commission me to make one instead of ordering it from the catalog. I told her that if she would pay for the materials I would do the work for free, which also left more room in her budget for better materials.
Here is the Cabella's version:
Here are my Sketchup drawings:
The main difference in design is the way the lid opens. I plan to make my lid open like two wings. This will allow for a larger work space to set cleaning supplies (and keep them off the bench). I will also engineer the hinges so that when you open the two lids the arms which hold the rifle automatically swing into place like a pop-up book.
My box will also have a locking lid and a brass rod which slips through the top of the box down into the drawer fronts to keep them locked much like a craftsman tool box. The rod can only be taken out when the lid is open. All hardware will be premium solid brass.
I chose a piece of Bloodwood 3/4"x13"x5' for the project. I am trying to expand my working knowledge of different species of hardwoods. I have never worked with Bloodwood before. Its gorgeous but not cheap.
I spent quite a bit of time sketching and drawing the joinery and proportions on paper before I made the Sketchup computer drawings:
Here it is cut into the main dimensions for the sides of the box:
I had to stop because I realized that my new jointer is not set up and that would have been the next step. Like always, I'll keep posting the progress.