Box(es)

I have made several boxes over the years and this is a sample of what has been built. I have great ideas when it comes to building boxes, but the execution is not quite so grand. I am not really happy with any of the boxes that I have built, although most are being used so I suppose that says something.

First box is walnut and spalted apple. I received some beautiful spalted apple from the local orchards. The wood is gorgeous, but awful to work. It twists, cups, cracks and any seems to exhibit every other undesirable trait as well, but it is pretty. I inlaid a small piece into the lid of this box which now functions as the coffee table home of the remote controls.

Second box is a specialized box designed and built to hold and protect a 20 kilogram stainless steel standard used for calibrating other standards and test weights. I work in the measuring industry, specifically with weighing equipment. This box is very heavy duty and contains a lined chamber for the standard which must be protected. The box never did get a finish before it was placed in service. One of the days, I will call it back to the shop and finish it.

Third box is a chance to use up some figured local Western Maple. Again, this is a horrible wood to work with (at least these pieces were). They were very ‘stringy’ and would tear out at the slightest provocation. In the end, sand paper saved the day. It was my first foray into the world of dyeing wood as well. I finished the box in amber shellac.

Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of some of my earlier projects.

-- APLJaK Woodworking, Okanagan Valley, BC