| Project by deadhead | posted 323 days ago | 873 views | 1 time favorited | 11 comments |  |
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My projects are crafted with what we call here in Florida “deadhead lumber”. The term refers to lumber cut from logs that have been underwater for a long time. The wood is cured in an oxygen free environment ( anaerobic) and in most cases is old first growth timber. Very stable, tight growth rings and with a unique patina from the tannic acid waters of Florida’s rivers and streams. A state license is required to salvage these logs and I buy directly from the guy who brings them up off the bottom. How green can you get? The pair of boxes shown started as 8/4 stock resawn and voila! there was a bookmatched pair of lids. Artists call that a happy accident. The boxes are made from solid wood, no joinery, but routed out with jigs i make for the different sizes. Tops and bottoms are from the same board. I have tried various finishing methods but nothing beats a Watco and satin poly mix applied and wet sanded from 300 to 600 grit, about 8 coats. The insides are lined with black faux snakeskin and hinged with brass barrels. This pair seemed to cry out for a stand that would keep them together forever so I made one of oak and finished it with a graphite and black enamel mix buffed down to simulate steel.
I’m looking for a buyer. ( Forgot to mention, each box measures 8×11.)
11 comments so far
lew
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4481 posts in 648 days
posted 323 days ago
Man, what beautiful workmanship!!
The lining could have been nothing else. The pairing of Florida deadhead lumber and snake skin is perfect!
What did you envision to be their contents?
Lew
mtnwild
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2013 posts in 420 days
posted 323 days ago
Very interesting, just routed out. Cool! They look very nice.
-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.
majeagle1
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426 posts in 389 days
posted 323 days ago
Very Very nice !!! What a happy accident regarding the bookmatching…....... Love the snakeskin !
What are the dimensions of the boxes?
Need your opinion, how do you like the barrel hinges for boxes vs. kerf hinges / butt hinges?
-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/
Jim
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99 posts in 538 days
posted 323 days ago
Oh wow, these are absolutely gorgeous!!!
-- Jim Sollows --- Langley BC Canada --- www.sollows.ca
Andy
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570 posts in 801 days
posted 319 days ago
Great boxes!I love the knot and how you made twins fom it.
-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon
jroot
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29 posts in 415 days
posted 318 days ago
Beautiful work. Well done.
-- jroot
jim1953
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1601 posts in 735 days
posted 318 days ago
Nice Job
-- Jim, Kentucky
lew
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4481 posts in 648 days
posted 304 days ago
Good Luck in the contest!
Lew
dustygirl
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767 posts in 621 days
posted 303 days ago
What beautiful boxes and the story behind them is amazing.
-- Dustygirl..Hastings,Ontario.. How much wood can 1 gal chuck if 1 gal can't cut wood?
Karson
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25797 posts in 1293 days
posted 303 days ago
Great boxes and like you say keeping the pair together is a requiremnt. They compliment each other. 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 †
Dick, & Barb Cain
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7034 posts in 1192 days
posted 296 days ago
Beautiful boxes, & a great match up.
They’ve been reclaiming old logs in Lake Superior, near Ashland Wisconsin for quite awhile now.
They get premium prices for the lumber.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1