Joinery Dilemma

Make this entry from the kangaroo. That way both get entered.

someone else had said that they removed their entry from the joinery category. Don’t know how though.

The mallet is a great entry because the technique was such a surprise—I just thought, well, let’s just say that I am in awe of how you put the two pieces together.

This small box (hmmm sounds like a TV show)... is beautiful. Great idea re: soaking the skewers and the tight/loose cuts for the lid.

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Don,
Beautiful box! I may have to join you as another person who ”just loves small wooden boxes!” ;^D

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Your work never ceases to amaze me. You’re quite the inspiration, Don

-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/

Way to go Don! I would say this should be your entry to the joinery category. I like what you did with the box joints by not making them flush. It does have that oriental flair to it this way.

I am amazed you completed it so fast. Of course, since it was a small box, that gave you the inspiration you needed!

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Thanks Bill for “calling Don out” to make this box. It is inspirational and brilliant. Don, I guess we can say you Thought Outside The Box on this one. I really like the unique look and if you don’t mind, I may try to copy it. I like the detail and effort, you even chamfered the edges of the box joints, nice touch.

Thanks for posting. Looks like everyone involved with this box is a winner – except the kangaroo.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Great execution. Strangely enough I’ve thought of using bamboo skewers in a similar way (great minds and all that…;) )

While I love the mallet and am a fan of wedge tenons (especially foxed) I think this tops it.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Don,

Got the solution right here, brother.

Give ME one of the two pieces (mallet or box – I’m good with either), and I’ll enter it into the contest. :)

-- Ethan, http://greystonegreen.blogspot.com/

Don, I might be wrong but wouldn’t soaking the skewers in water swell the bamboo and then when it dried shrink it back down?

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Also I like the mallet better (even though this is neat) because the wedged fox tail is such a cool joint.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Damien, you are right. But soaking them also makes them quite a bit more ‘pliable’. I drilled the holes sized such that the bamboo was just slightly too large to fit into the hole when dry. (I could have forced them, but I was afraid of splitting the Rosewood.) When wet, it seemed that the fibers of the bamboo compressed as I forced them into the hole. When they dry, they settle back to their original diameter which makes a tight fit.

I’m not sure that the properties of Bamboo acts in the same way as normal wood. If you look at the capillaries at the end of the wedge-pin in the lower picture you will see that the structure of the bamboo looks a bit like the end of a cigarette butt. I think these tiny capillaries draw water up into the bamboo like drinking-staws. Perhaps it is these capillaries that collapse under the pressure of being forced into the drilled holes.

After soaking, the bamboo had slightly, and I emphasize very slightly, expanded. To make the pin easier to get into the holes, I sharpened the end to a point.

-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.hilsbiblechurch.org/

Well if it were a seed box, I’d put it in the garden category. In any case it is a winner!

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Ah okay, that makes sense, the water most likely softened the cell walls (or something fancy like that) the water probably helped lubricate them as they went in too.

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Nice work on this box Don!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

Hi Don,

Simple beautiful work and design!

Lee

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

Oh common Don I can see the nails head and glue drippings all over the place, ah you know I’m pullin your leg heh mate? Of course that one thing does look like a glue drop, naw still messen with yah. Actually that is pretty ingenuous without mechanical holdems or glue I think this is gonna be between Frank and you. Lots of luck buddy. Nice looking box. Watch out for Deb, I hear she’s looking for box idea’s. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Mike you are a funny one. lol

-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Now I have to think up another “impossible” feat for you, Don. This box is truly amazing in design and execution.

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

As always Don, you draw out techniques I want to try in my box-dom. I too like the chamfered edges on the box-joint fingers. Now I have to go look at the mallet. Wonderful work.

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

I was going to give you a ribbing Don, Bamboo is technically a grass. Disqualified!...

actually Damian, to reiterate what Don said a different way, when bottling wine at home, you soak the corks to make them easier to insert into the bottle. Depending on the size you get, you can push them in by hand, or you need a tool to exert the correct pressure. Once they dry out, they swell a bit and the bottle is sealed (in the meantime, you can slip over a plastic or metal band and shrink it to fit (heat) which makes for a nicer presentation, and must do something to help seal the bottle as well… because, we’re told that keeping the cork wet (bottle on its side) is what helps keep the bottle sealed too. seems a bit contrarian, but at least the priciple is the same for inserting as the bamboo skewers…

and as far as the material goes – botanically it may be a grass, but it is marketed as wood (just like tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, peppers and similar vegetables are technically fruit)

-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/

Cool box!

Don, I think this is one of your nicest boxes, it’s unique,

-- -** 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

Don, What a great concept and follow through with this box. If you were to look inside my house, you’d find all sorts of aisian inspired decorating, furniture and nick naks. I love this! Great job.

-- ICN, Bill, (http://www.beavercreekfitness.com)

Great idea and excellent execution.

-- Wood and Glass they kick (well you know) Have a great day - Dug