| Project by Mottom | posted 349 days ago | 440 views | 3 times favorited | 6 comments |  |
 |
I was contacted, through Lumberjocks, by a retiring Navy Chief that liked my earlier cherry chest-lid shadow box and wanted something similar. After talking awhile, I just couldn’t say no her.
The project itself took far too long to finish; I had planned on an October build, but life got in the way. I’m currently in graduate school, stupidly trying to complete 2 matsters’ degrees in 2 years. My schedule kept me from being able to finish the project until the first week of December. Luckily, the Chief was really super easy-going and understood my reasons for the delays.
The carcass is Imbuya, as are the boards on which the interior military regalia is mounted. The case is backed by 1/2’ MDF and the cloth set on 1/4” hardboard affixed to the MDF. My earlier cherry model was 18’ x 24; the Imbuya one is quite a bit larger at 33” x 28” (and much heavier too ~ 50 Lbs.). I exectuted the earlier box with mitered corners and leather strap handles. This time we went for dove-tailed corners (I used a Prazi ChestMate) and nautical rope and brass handles that terminate in monkey’s paws. The glass is 1/8th-inch Lexan; I wanted 1/4-inch Lexan, but it was cost prohibitive. The finish is Tung Oil, boiled linseed oil, and lemon juice.
I really hope this box serves her well for many years; she certainly waited long enough for it – and I feel badly about that.
-- New to the craft and loving every minute!
6 comments so far
lew
home | projects | blog
4496 posts in 652 days
posted 349 days ago
This is absolutely gorgeous!
Is it “sealed” or does the top open?
Would you have been able to bend 1/4” Lexan into the same contour?
Mottom
home | projects | blog
29 posts in 799 days
posted 349 days ago
The back is screwed on so it can be opened, but the front is permanently fixed.
Yes, the 1/4 inch lexan can be bent and will work really well after being heated with a hair dryer for 20-30 minutes.
-- New to the craft and loving every minute!
woodworm
home | projects | blog
8286 posts in 487 days
posted 349 days ago
Very nice.
-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.
Masterchief
home | projects | blog
70 posts in 623 days
posted 349 days ago
Superb work Sir, I know Chief is proud of you as well as her country is of her. Believe me I understrand her commitments as I am at 20 years and still going strong for Thirty. Again great design, superior joints. Your work shall definately bring in income from other retiring brothers and sisters. At any point you need supplies like lexan, the Chiefs Mess is always there to assist another retiring Chief and we can get you what you need. We have lexan from 1/8 all the way to 3/4 inch setting on the shelf. Again Thank You for helping out our fellow Sister.
ENCS (SW) Billy Strong
-- When you are at a point in life and you think there is nothing more to learn, then you must understand that you have learned nothing at all. Billy
Karson
home | projects | blog
25803 posts in 1297 days
posted 349 days ago
Nice display chest. A great job.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
3fingerpat
home | projects | blog
909 posts in 565 days
posted 349 days ago
Anyone who knows what a Monkey’s paw is, is alright in my book. Well done “Shipmate”, I know the even numbered Chief will enjoy it the rest of her days.
-- "You get what you inspect, not what you expect"