| Project by Blake | posted 332 days ago | 1505 views | 12 times favorited | 34 comments | ![]() |
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This box is a gift for my best friend who I grew up with. He told his girlfriend that he wanted a similar version that he saw in the Cabela’s catalog. She called me and asked it me if I could build something a little nicer. This is the result.
Made of Bloodwood with solid book-matched Madrone Burl and Curly Maple on the top (no veneer). Half-blind dovetail joinery cut on the router table. Premium solid brass hardware throughout. Lined with black leather (suede side up), finished with boiled linseed oil and wax.
The half-mortise chest lock locks the right lid and the left lid is kept closed by a brass tab. A brass rod runs through the front of the box and down through the drawer fronts to keep them locked. To open the drawers the top must first be opened and the rod removed (similar to a “Craftsman” tool box).
Unlike the Cabelas version, the two sides of the lid allow the box to be pushed up against the wall while open, give more workspace for cleaning supplies to sit, and automatically pull up the gun holders like a pop-up book.
The drawer fronts feature my first attempt at chip-carving behind the brass knobs. All in all about 40 to 50 hours of work (I lost count).





Here you can see the brass rod which keeps the drawers locked:

My Sketchup Drawing:
From the Cabelas Catalog (everything including cleaning supplies under $100):
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com































34 comments so far
James Lango
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80 posts in 427 days
posted 332 days ago
Merry Christmas Blake! Very nice project. I was waiting for the finish pics, since i seen your sketch ups a few weeks ago. she turned out nice. Love the half blinds for the drawers- cut into the rabited egde. True craftsmanship..
-- Longovette@Roadruner.com
trifern
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7894 posts in 660 days
posted 332 days ago
Great design and choice of materials that have been executed flawlessly. Truly spectacular. Thanks for sharing, Blake.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Maddhatter
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74 posts in 470 days
posted 332 days ago
Ditto on James comments. Checked out the website as well. Very inspirational
-- Norm (AKA - The Maddhatter), Middletown DE
rikkor
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11335 posts in 767 days
posted 332 days ago
Beautiful Blake. I wish I could afford to commission one from you.
CedarFreakCarl
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565 posts in 947 days
posted 332 days ago
That’s truly great Blake! I can almost smell the Hoppe’s No. 9 from here in SC. Great craftsmanship as well as choice of woods.
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
blackcherry
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730 posts in 716 days
posted 332 days ago
WOW, their a lot go on in such a small space. All the detail is first rate, I really like the detail around the pull knobs. I remember the post on your router table and your efforts pay-off on this gem. Happy Holidays and thank for the post. Blkcherry
RobH
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460 posts in 942 days
posted 332 days ago
Absolutely wonderful. I love things like this. I appreciate you showing us the box, it is an absolutely stunning piece of work. Also, tell your friend thanks for thinking outside the box (no pun intended) and letting you have some artistic liberties with the design. He ended up with an absolutely awesome box.
Thanks again for showing, merry Christmas,
-- -- Rob Hix, King George, VA
majeagle1
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426 posts in 389 days
posted 332 days ago
Wow, just an amazing piece of work! Beautiful finish, I love the curly maple contrast and the burl.
I also really like the chip carving behind the drawer pulls, great touch and good job.
Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing
-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/
Karson
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25792 posts in 1293 days
posted 332 days ago
Blake. A great piece of workmanship. Nice job on the details.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Douglas Bordner
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3421 posts in 957 days
posted 332 days ago
Wow. That’s one elegant gun box! Great job Blake.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 855 days
posted 332 days ago
Now, Blake, I’m your friend, right? My birthday is in March, hint, hint, hint. Really great design and workmanship. A classic.
-- Thos. Angle
cajunpen
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5968 posts in 959 days
posted 332 days ago
Blake, I’ve been away from the Forum for awhile. When I left your work was good, but man – you have stepped it up several notches! Beautiful box (and Sketchup skills too).
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
CharlieM1958
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7608 posts in 1111 days
posted 332 days ago
File this under “Too nice to actually use”!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
DocK16
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710 posts in 980 days
posted 332 days ago
Blake
You’ve outdone yourself again. I was thinking about stealing your design but I don’t think I could match your skill and talent.
-- DocK, WV
ND2ELK
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6155 posts in 667 days
posted 332 days ago
Beautiful job! I am sure your friend was very pleased. Very nice! Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
Woodhacker
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1145 posts in 616 days
posted 332 days ago
Blake, wow, nice job. That is beautiful. Your friend is sure to love it and appreciate for all time.
Thanks for posting it.
-- Martin, Kansas
lazyfiremaninTN
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528 posts in 846 days
posted 332 days ago
Absolutely Fantastic. That is beautiful.
-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"
Dusty56
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3458 posts in 581 days
posted 332 days ago
Absolutely stunning ! So many details to get excited about : ) I see you listed Cabela’s price , now how much would you sell yours for ? LOL Happy Holidays , Blake !
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
Dennis Zongker
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1014 posts in 485 days
posted 331 days ago
Very Nice Blake! Great Choice of woods.
-- Dennis Zongker
gizmodyne
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1672 posts in 983 days
posted 331 days ago
Fancy. Love the color. The owner is going to have to upgrade their weapon to match the box.
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
PaBull
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292 posts in 558 days
posted 331 days ago
Very nice. Blake, I like the side fold-out much better.
-- http://www.twinoaksgrowers.com
griff
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926 posts in 655 days
posted 331 days ago
Very sweet cleaning kit, it really looks to good use. it needs to just sit and be admired. Very Good Build.
-- Mike, Bruce Mississippi = Jack of many trades master of none
GaryK
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9521 posts in 881 days
posted 331 days ago
Looks great Blake! I like the features on yours better.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
jcees
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552 posts in 692 days
posted 331 days ago
Schweeeeeet!!! Very nice work indeed, Blake. Bravo!
always,
J.C.
-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein
MSRiverdog
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39 posts in 629 days
posted 331 days ago
Makes me want to start using my guns again so’s I have to make one of them. Very Nice!
-- http://www.riverviewwoodworking.com
bfd
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418 posts in 700 days
posted 331 days ago
Blake,
This is yet another example of your design talent and your craftsmanship. What a great honor for your childhood friend to have one of your original works. I am sure it was also a great honor for you to build this piece for him as well. The details of the box and that bloodwood are killer!
-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com
wells
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29 posts in 409 days
posted 331 days ago
Beautiful work! That is inspiring!
Tony
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811 posts in 923 days
posted 331 days ago
Excellent work
-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)
Sac
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236 posts in 526 days
posted 329 days ago
Absolutley Beautiful.
-- Jerry, Set in the foothills of the Smokey's
Todd A. Clippinger
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5631 posts in 992 days
posted 329 days ago
You are on FIRE!
Your skills are growing by leaps and bounds. You are certainly working your butt off too!
Incredible work, absolutely fantastic!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
cobbler
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242 posts in 683 days
posted 329 days ago
Superb! From design to execution, you really hit a home run.
The dovetail joints are some of the best I`ve seen. I love the
locking system also.
Thanks for posting.
P.S. I`d like to build one like it some day, if it`s ok?
-- ''Carry on my wayward son''
Cedrus
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71 posts in 607 days
posted 326 days ago
Congrats and a big back slap for the excellent workmanship on this piece. I love the details (too many to choose) and oh yes it has a function too! Well done and thanksfor the post…I like your other projects as well!
-- Cedrus of British Columbia
Arnold
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107 posts in 455 days
posted 326 days ago
I have seen that in the Catalog and you have surpassed it in quality.
The recipient should be very pleased.
Nice Work
jm82435
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508 posts in 635 days
posted 317 days ago
Dang, that is BEAUTIFUL. Sorry about all the allergies, but from here it looks like it was worth it…
-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever...