"Stylish Box, #1" Inspired By Lumberjocks

Dennis, WOW!! I absolutely love this. Everything about it. The carving, the shape, the contrasts, the marquetry…man. Oh and I love the dovetail splines…I’ve never tried that but seeing this makes me want to.

I think you’ve raised the bar for us all. Great Job!!

Thanks for posting it…and welcome to the addiction.

-- Martin, Kansas

What can I say, WOW!

Thanks for the post

Callum

-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/

Beautiful box! It’s favorited.

-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~

I got the e-mail message that Dennis had posted a box. The thought went through my mind “A Box on Steroids” I just knew it wouldn’t be just any box.

Dennis you have created a masterpiece of carving, inlay, marquetry, Wood construction and hinge placement that stretches the imaginations of us all.

A fabulous box.

it looks like you’ve taken some leatherwork lessons from Thomas. The carvings are just great.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

I”m not worthy, I’m not worthy!!!!!! I’m bowing to “THE MAN”
Dennis, this is just gorgeous, I’m always going to be humbled by your work, awesome job. I can’t say enough, it’s heading to my favorites. Look out Texpenn here’s some competition for you.

-- Dan Wiggins

What to say… ”WOW”

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Wow what a Nice Box Great Job

-- Jim, Kentucky

Holy Cow Dennis!
You really set the bar with this one.
How did you set the oval on the top?
Are thos specail hinges that expose the Dutchmen/splines?

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

amazing work Dennis … very impressive

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

INCREDIBLE…

Thanks for showcasing your unbelievable talent.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

Dennis I always love seeing what you come up with next ! sure humbles us all.

I see you graduated from TexPenns school of Fine woodworking…{:oP…. (Love those bowties).

one question! do the bowties run throught the length of the joint, or just on the surface?

Great job!

-- Rj's Woodworks,San Jose & Weed Ca,

Hey Dennis, could you just imagine what you could make if you really tried…? (g) Just kidding.

This is wonderful. I love the detail, especially the hinge reveals for the splines.

Tom

-- Anybody can become a woodworker, but only a Craftsman can hide his mistakes.

Yeah, gee, that’s a nice first try, but they’ll get better, you’ll see…..(leaves LJ’s for the night, head low, tail between legs)

-- Mike in Manchester, NH---Unpleasant tasks are simply worthy challenges to improve skills.

Just adding my dumb struck self. Did you have to go over the top on every little detail!? Very cool, SUPER!

-- mtnwild (Jack), It's not what you see, it's how you see it.

My word, Dennis, ” thanks for looking” my foot, thanks for showing us all how it’s really done,in spades. There are some fantastic boxes exhibited on this site. However, I think everyone will agree this is exceptional workmanship and design. I love your carving , marquetry,etc., etc.,................

-- Thos. Angle

Thank you for all you very kind words. It means a lot to me.
RJ hows it going, yea the bowties go all the way threw. It’s a great joint for jointing miters.
Bob#2 the hinges I cut out on the scrow saw with a 3.0 super fine saw blade. Then sprayed black enamal over the screws, hinges. & chain.

-- Dennis Zongker

The woods are incredible by themselves, just beautiful. Two weeks to design and eight to build! I need to slow down. Next time I get impatient with a project I will reflect back to this one.
Thanks Ron

-- Ron Central, CA

Absolutely stunning! The repeat of your rose design inside and out are well thought and the marquetry quite extraordinary.

May I ask, Do you ever sleep?

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe

Yee haw! You took all those little bits I saw at my last visit and turned them into gold!

You are an artist of the first caliber, Dennis. Thanks for posting this glorious example of the box-maker’s art.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

Wow! “Stylish” does not come close to describing this. This has got to be one of, if not the most beautiful boxes I’ve seen on a forum. Great work.

Kerry

-- Alberta, Canada

You’re right, you should totally give up on boxes. You’re putting the rest of us to shame! That’s one fine, first try! That thing better not have a secret compartment or a knot in it or else we can go home now!

Seriously nice box!

-- Steve, New Zealand, www.steveracz.com

You have brought box building to a new level.
That is one beautiful box!
Thanks for letting us gawk.

-- ''Carry on my wayward son''

You may be a master woodworker, but this crosses way over the line into the realm of true art!

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

Absolutely beautiful, I’m without adjectives, they have all been used. It’s stunning, you are truly a master craftsman. Thank you very much for showing us. I’m going to favorite this also.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Hi mmh, It seams like the more I get into my woodworking & lumberjocks, the less time I get to sleep. It’s very addicting. And Thank you very much for your complements.

-- Dennis Zongker

Beautiful workmanship!! Yes it is addicting even making simple things, but to make something like that it outstanding. You are a true craftsman.

-- Bob K. East Northport, NY

Dennis, does your head ever ache during the design process. I guess some might say that this invites comparison….but I don’t believe I seen anything I’ve ever seen anything to compare it to. Its sets a standard that most of us can only dream about

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

Is the bottom carved too Dennis, or is it just like all other box makers boxes (Sheathing plywood, from the scrap box)

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

whomever owns this treasure in a hundred years will surely think it a wonder…

-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.

Hi rtb, Yea, my head hurts somtimes, I just keep adding things to my design. Forgetting that It will take a lot longer to make it, then to think it. LOL

Hey Karson, I used scrap plywood to, it must be a lumberjock thing. LOL, But, I did put marquetry on top and mahogany veneer on the bottom.

-- Dennis Zongker

Hi Dennis;

Outstanding to say the least.

Another example of” if it’s not impossible, why bother”.

The sad part is your brain keeps pushing the envelope for your hands. One of these days your hands are going to tell your brain where to go!

The sand shading on the marquetry really gives it some depth.

Incredible workmanship.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

Awesome box Dennis, very cool design!

-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!

-- Scott NM,http://www.shangrilawoodworks.com

I was wondering when we would start seeing boxes from you, since you let slip you were working on a box book. FANTASTIC box. I wouldn’t expect anything less from you though.

-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever...

You have truly Inspired me to go beyond what I do now. Thank you for posting this outstanding piece of work.

-- - " If you want square work, You don't cut corners. " - -- Tom Goodman, Santa Maria, CA. woodworkertom@gmail.com

Excellent. I’d love to see some details on the inlay/marquetry. Those flowers are like mirror images!

Gorgeous! I love doing inlay work, but don’t know that I have the patience to put that much detail into a single piece. Think I’ll use this as motivation!

Thank you so much for sharing!

-- Patrick, Chicago, IL http://www.TenonAndSpline.com/blog

This is such a BEA-utiful box I can’t wait till I get one! Dad you are the best at this stuff and even though you are supposed to be proud of me I just can’t help but be so proud of you. You inspire me every single day to do the best I can. Thank you for all the life lessons you have taught me you are the best #1 in my book. I love you TT

This is perfect! I really enjoy the placement of the chain in the middle of the lid design, and the marquetry, and the ebony orb on the lid top, and the carvings, and the materials, and the joinery and everything else…wow. Thanks for sharing!

Amazing Dennis. Excellent work.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

This is by far one of the prettiest boxes I have ever seen!!! You are a true master of the woodworking craft. You are a inspiration to us all!! Thank you for posting.

God bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

TRULY SPECTACULAR! It leaves us drooling!

-- "But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

Excellent design.
This has so many elements to it and they work in unison very well.
You have carving,inlay,marquetry,contrasting woods and a unigue design that blend perfectly.
And your workmanship compliments it all.
Not for the faint of heart to attempt.

Very well done Dennis!

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

Hi Andy, Thank you. I’m a big fan of your’s, I really like “Rachels Box”. It’s one of my favorites.

-- Dennis Zongker

Hi GREAT job hard to decide if you leave it open or closed. To see al the Gorgeous detale I would go one day open, one day cosed. . Very well done .

-- Preston H Kamloops BC Canada

Beautiful Box Dennis….....

Hi Preston, Thats a good idea, I think when I’m working on marquetry I’ll leave the box open. And when I’m carving I’ll Close the box. It will me get in the mood.

-- Dennis Zongker

I’ve been gone for a couple of days and missed this one. Sure am glad I did get a chance to see it.

All I can say, along with everyone else is: “Double Wow” !!

You truely are a craftsman “AND” an Artisian! Just beautiful….....

If you ever do a book on boxes, I want a copy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

Thanks for shareing, it is a favorite and someting to inspire me to further depths!

-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/

Hi dad, it’s about time you got done with this box. It looks good.

The recognition from your family is as beautiful as the box. I would love to see all of your design drawings and how detailed they are for each piece of the box. How detailed do you get or is a lot of it in your head and as you go?

-- Ron Central, CA

Hi RAH, Thank you for your kind words. I do a lot of drawing. I draw a lot on AutoCad. But, on this box all the drawings are by hand. The marquetry & carving drawings take a lot of time. I really like to draw free hand, a lot more then on AutoCad. Because I draw on AutoCad all day long. It get’s kind of old. But I do break free a lot to woodwork.
I have a file for each job I make. Some of the files get very large.

-- Dennis Zongker

Dennis the “BOX” is exquisite in every way. I venture to say that it took an incredible amount of thought and work to achieve. But more than that Dennis, you have a God given talent and we thank you so much for sharing. Truly an inspiration.

Dennis
I don’t speak English so well to find the right words to comment your work.
I just can’t find them to tell you how much I admire your precision incisions in the wood!
It’s amazing. I’m ashamed for what I posted on LJ comparing to the perfection of what you do.
The Stylish Box is one of my favorites. It’s hard to chose among all projects. The harmony of the design, the “balance” among , dimensions,colors, equilibrium ( is that intelligible?) is incredible. How can you do that?
I envy – in the good sense of the word!- your work and it’s my target to reach at least nearby the perfection and the fine art taste you have in yourself.
Thank you for at the same time encourage me and paradoxically intimidate me!!!

-- MARCO AURELIO R. GUIMARAES, BELO HORIZONTE, MG, BRAZIL

Hi Marco Aurelio R. Guimaraes,
Thank you for your kind complements. I am a big fan of your work. You are a true artist, & your nice and humble. It’s refreshing to see someone like you. I’m really glad your a lumberjock.

-- Dennis Zongker

I am sorry but I am now putting down my tools and locking my workshop…Never will I be as good…no great..as you.
Nah just kidding but I do aspire to achieve the level you and many of the LJs have a reached and one day maybe people will look at my work with the admiration that I have for your work.
Kindest Regards
Larry from the “Land Downunder”

-- Drink once, cut twice. New website up.... lazylarrywoodworks.com.au

Thank you degoose, You do some very nice work yourself. So how is the economy in the land down under?

-- Dennis Zongker

It’s not as strong as yours but we are doing ok
Tks for you comments
Larry

-- Drink once, cut twice. New website up.... lazylarrywoodworks.com.au

After reading all the comments all I can say I agree outstanding design and workmanship a big thumbs up.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

Hi a1 Jim, Thank you for you complement. You do some nice work yourself.

-- Dennis Zongker

For those willing to rise to the challenge you raise the bar pretty high. Your are inspiration for my perspiration.

-- I can so I wood but why are my learning curves always circles

Wow, some of that stuff looks like it could have been done on a CNC. I can’t get my CNC router to do that yet!

Awesome work! You’ve inspired me to whip my machine into shape. Sorry, I don’t have your patience.

-- Matt - My Websites - http://www.bestinwood.com - Hand Tools :: http://www.workshopgarage.com - Small Shops

Love the detail, love the rose! Box making allows for alot of artistry and you have it! Nice job. I have a box in my projects called dad’s chest you might want to check out for your book.

-- Uhhh...I forgot what i was going to say.

Thank you, Douglas Krueger, Matt, AllorNoThumbs, for the complements. Matt, I’m glad I don’t have a CNC router. The joy of caving is to do it by hand. And I think I would get spoiled by having a CNC.

-- Dennis Zongker