LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Project Information

It all started with some sticks found inside a wine barrel. They were inside the barrel I bought and I had no idea why they were there. They were held in by a plastic rod. I removed and saved them. After all, they were stained oak. You know the drill if you work with wood. It's tough to toss any useable wood.

So, I go them out and sized a box using a scrap piece of Bubinga I had. However, I didn't like the top because the grain went opposite to the usual way for a box top but my wife liked it, so it was to become the box top. I got out the Fibonacci rules and sized the box at roughly 4×11-1/2" close enough.

The sides are the "sticks," and they chipped out in the router box cutter tool. The oak was very brittle probably because of the sugars and wine they were soaked in and then dried. However, the color still intrigued me, so on I went. I patched and then I squared up the box and glued it down to a scrap piece of ipe wood given to me by a local woodworker.

After chamfering the top, I realized that the bottom would easily fall off if lifted. My lift handle is a piece of 1/4" copper tubing saved from a fuel line re-route on our old Ford tractor.

I purchased the swinging hooks for $2.68 at a True Value store and that was my only expense for this box.

The finish is polycrylic by Minwax.

The sticks are appropriately named "inside sticks," by oenological interests. They are used for the maturation of white or red wines and reinforce the aromas of oak maturation while conserving the finesse and softness of the tannins. Sticks inside may also be used during alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Due to the interactions between the microorganisms and the wood, the Sticks inside contribute both sacristy and richness to the wine and add to the aromatic complexity while preserving the fruit.

Let it be known that I never did get to taste any of this wine. The barrel was empty when I got it.

Who knew what a few sticks would produce?

Burt

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
Joined
·
22 Posts
Awesome box and great use of wood!
 

· Registered
Joined
·
53 Posts
I'm glad you worked with passion and interest.Well….the wine you have to buy it! :)
 
Top