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Project Information

Collinear started off as a dead maple tree standing in my parents back yard. My dad and I talked about cutting it down and having it cut into lumber, which would be a first for us. I grabbed the chain saw and dropped it and my dad called a local, portable mill. Looking at the large sections laying on the ground I noticed that the broken branches (well, 14" diameter branches) had some beautiful spalt lines….jack pot! I cut these pieces into a manageable size, took them home with me, cut them into slabs and began the boring two-year drying process:) Well, the wait was worth it to me. After taking a piece and book-matching it I fell in love…and Collinear was birthed shortly after that.

The main body of the box was made by gluing up panels of Claro Walnut, an 1/8" strip of Ebony and then Curly Maple. I loved the contrast between the walnut and the curly maple and wanted to emphasize it even more with the ebony.

I wanted the support to be very "airy" as to not take away from the three boxes. Remembering my years of playing with Lincoln Logs I loved the notched joints…On Collinear I just made them fit a little better. I reinforced all notched joints with contrasting dowels.

Drawer construction is standard dovetail. The drawers use wooden runners, built into the box bodies, to slide on. I didn't want to take away from the book-matched fronts with an ugly pull so I designed the ebony pulls that I believe actually accentuate the book-matching. The cutoffs from the drawer fronts became the body of Fault Line

This time the name of the box preceded the design. Collinear is 26.5" long. It is finished with Tried & True Varnish Oil. After that it received two good buffings of Briwax.

Main bodies: Claro Walnut, Curly Maple, Birdseye Maple and Gaboon Ebony
Support for Bodies: Curly Maple, Birdseye Maple, Wenge, Bolivian Rosewood and Paduak/Maple dowels
Drawers: Book-matched Spalted Maple fronts, Gaboon Ebony, Maple main construction and Baltic birch bottoms

Gallery

Comments

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1,100 Posts
I am just awed! Speechless comes close.

Lee
 

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6,840 Posts
Tat is not only very artistic from a design standpoint, but the construction is impeccable. Fantastic project!
 

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93 Posts
Superb design and execution. Great background story too.
 

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1,106 Posts
Beautifully designed and executed! I love the modern elegance this piece has. The details, well thought design and craftsmanship are quite superb! A top quality piece! Can I make room for it on my dresser?
 

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5 Posts
Very nice. Taking what the wood gives you and improving on that.
 

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250 Posts
This is truly one of a kind Jeff.
I like your story about the process from tree to box, that adds a special touch to this unique piece.
The spalting is fantastic and works so well with the claro walnut.
The base really does lift this up and lighten its look, good idea.
Your joinery is top notch too, and the finish is perfect.

Two thumbs up on this!

Andy
 

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1,266 Posts
Bravo!... A gem of design and beauty and the best part is the story behind it, priceless. Thanks for posting this wonderful piece….Blkcherry
 

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580 Posts
That is probably the best box design that I have ever seen. Very well done! I would like to see a picture of the underside. It looks like there is a lot of joinery detail on the bottom that would be interesting to all of us.
 

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52 Posts
Wow - nice wood selection and craftsmanship.
Thanks for the eye candy.
 

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313 Posts
Wow! That is a very gorgeous build. The woods are absolutely amazing and I love the design. The execution is flawless. I agree, the ebony vertical pulls really accentuate the spalted maple. Very well done!
 

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315 Posts
Very special making something out of a tree you grew-up around! Nice work!
 

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3,541 Posts
This is a great design. It is simple and therefore it is all about the interpretation of the materials, which you did well.

Well executed. I love it!
 

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19,753 Posts
Unique design and woods
 

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218 Posts
Truly Artistic work…love it!
 

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3,089 Posts
This is great! I really like the design, the wood choices and the story that goes with it. The legs and support are very interesting. Well done!
 
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