Mango wood - Box

I like it. Think it looks real good. Does not need to be perfect. Can tell it’s hand made and that’s a good thing. Beautiful wood too.

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

I think it looks pretty cool. Good job.
How long is it?? :)

Thanks for viewing and kind words.

I built the box first, separated the lid then carved it. On and off, the carving work took me 4hrs. I did not draw the pattern on the lid itself, which made me kept referring to the blue print.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

It might niot be exactly what you were aiming for, but it’s still a very nice result. I’ve tried carving a little, and I just get frustrated in the first five minutes.

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

WWorm, I think it looks great!

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

Charlie & Douglas – Thanks for viewing and you kind words.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

WW, I don’t see what you are disappointed with. I think it is a very nice box. The carving looks like a lot of the work I’ve seen from your part of the world. Sort of Malay folk art. LOL Do another one.

-- Thos. Angle

Thos Angle, you are right – the pattern is commonly found in Malay handcrafts such as woven basket made from bamboo, rattan and also palm leaves – can be seen in this picture:-

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Carving always seems to take longer that one anticipates. I think it turned out pretty good. I never thought of using shoe polish as a finish, very neat result.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

Chris Wright. thanks for you kind woods.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Chris, I have a nice block of spalted mango that I have had on the shelf for a long time. The wood seems very soft. Did you do something to stabilize or “harden” the block before you started?

-- Bibb in CO at http://katanadesign.com

The box looks great and I am sure that whoever is going to use it will enjoy it for a long time to come. At least you tried to do the carving yourself,and for the first time it looks like a job well done.

Darrel in Canada

I have a lot of Australian mango wood which i am thinking of turning into boxes and I like the Idea of carving the top..will give it a go!

Very reminiscent of the woven boards I have just posted.

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

it’s a good box & only you know where the flaws are, good job , thanks for posting,—john.

-- john, Moose Jaw, Sask, j.soika@shaw.ca

Great job on this box! I really like the shoe polish idea, might have to borrow the thought! :)

I make quite a few boxes, and have always wanted to carve something on the lid, or add a marquetry inlay: but I always chicken out. This is great work for a first time. I’m inspired to try again … maybe.

-- Whatever

I hope when I decide to carve a top it turns out this nice, Great job and a beautiful design. I second the Shoe Polish idea, Ill have to experiment with it under a finish coat.

-- Keith, Bolingbrook, Illinois. How did you do that? I just started with a bunch of wood and cut away anything that's not part of the finished piece...

well done

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

nice styling !

-- POPSHOP ,

looks well built and carved to me. is indian mango a hard wood? i am interested in putting carvings on my guitars and mutars any suggestions on types of tools. is it ok to carve in soft wood or does it splinter and weardown too quickly?

-- joseph