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Gun Cleaning Kit

Project by Blake posted 332 days ago 1505 views 12 times favorited 34 comments Add to Favorites Watch

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

View James Lango's profile

James Lango

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

View trifern's profile

trifern

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.

View Maddhatter's profile

Maddhatter

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

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11335 posts in 767 days


posted 332 days ago

Beautiful Blake. I wish I could afford to commission one from you.

View CedarFreakCarl's profile

CedarFreakCarl

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

View blackcherry's profile

blackcherry

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

View RobH's profile

RobH

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

View majeagle1's profile

majeagle1

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/

View Karson's profile

Karson

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 †

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

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.

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

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

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

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/

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7608 posts in 1111 days


posted 332 days ago

File this under “Too nice to actually use”!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

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

View ND2ELK's profile

ND2ELK

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

View Woodhacker's profile

Woodhacker

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

View lazyfiremaninTN's profile

lazyfiremaninTN

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"

View Dusty56's profile

Dusty56

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 .

View Dennis Zongker's profile

Dennis Zongker

1014 posts in 485 days


posted 331 days ago

Very Nice Blake! Great Choice of woods.

-- Dennis Zongker

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

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

View PaBull's profile

PaBull

292 posts in 558 days


posted 331 days ago

Very nice. Blake, I like the side fold-out much better.

-- http://www.twinoaksgrowers.com

View griff's profile

griff

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

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

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.

View jcees's profile

jcees

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

View MSRiverdog's profile

MSRiverdog

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

View bfd's profile

bfd

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

View wells's profile

wells

29 posts in 409 days


posted 331 days ago

Beautiful work! That is inspiring!

View Tony's profile

Tony

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)

View Sac's profile

Sac

236 posts in 526 days


posted 329 days ago

Absolutley Beautiful.

-- Jerry, Set in the foothills of the Smokey's

View Todd A. Clippinger's profile

Todd A. Clippinger

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

View cobbler's profile

cobbler

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''

View Cedrus's profile

Cedrus

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

View Arnold's profile

Arnold

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

View jm82435's profile

jm82435

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...

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