Project by Jon Spelbring | posted 02-21-2010 12:45 AM | 2195 views | 0 times favorited | 15 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
This was several years ago, and I had picked up a pretty piece of (unknown species at the time) wood. I loved the way the grain looked, and it was a small piece, so I decided to make a small, simple box. Nothing fancy. No miters, no splines, just glue and butt joints. I later learned that the wood is called Wenge. I probably should have saved it for accents somewhere, but I was new. Also, I wanted to show off the grain that makes up the lid.
This was also my first attempt at using a hand plane. IMO, Wenge is not a very friendly wood. Lots of splintering and tear out.
I can’t remember the finish – Either poly or lacquer.
-- To do is to be
15 comments so far
KMJohnson
home | projects | blog
165 posts in 2990 days
#1 posted 02-21-2010 12:50 AM
Nice box.
-- Let's do it in the wood pile!
Chris
home | projects | blog
49 posts in 2989 days
#2 posted 02-21-2010 03:21 AM
Line it with spanish cedar and you can have a humidor for cigars. Anyway nice job.
-- One Time Tree Man
Padre
home | projects | blog
930 posts in 3458 days
#3 posted 02-21-2010 03:37 AM
This is a great first project.
-- Chip -----------http://www.penmanchip.com-----------------Micah 6:8
jayjay
home | projects | blog
639 posts in 3015 days
#4 posted 02-21-2010 04:06 AM
Cool box. I’ve never worked with wenge, is it a soft or hard wood?
-- ~Jason~ , Albuquerque NM
Jon Spelbring
home | projects | blog
199 posts in 4223 days
#5 posted 02-21-2010 06:54 AM
Jason,
It’s a hard wood – brittle and splintery.
-- To do is to be
NBeener
home | projects | blog
4816 posts in 3143 days
#6 posted 02-21-2010 07:07 AM
Very nice job, Jon!
-- -- Neil
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
117063 posts in 3546 days
#7 posted 02-21-2010 07:14 AM
Nice box Jon.
-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos wood crafting & woodworking classes
RS Woodworks
home | projects | blog
533 posts in 3221 days
#8 posted 02-21-2010 08:30 AM
Looks good to me.
Yes, wenge can be a real b!t$h to work with, especially with hand planes. My gallery shows the first box I ever made, also out of wenge.
Ryan
-- I restore the finest vintage tools! If you need a nice plane, saw, marking tool or brace, please let me know!
spanky46
home | projects | blog
995 posts in 3360 days
#9 posted 02-21-2010 01:33 PM
The learning process! Nice job!
-- spanky46 -- Never enough clamps...Never enough tools...Never enough time.
Eagle1
home | projects | blog
2066 posts in 3034 days
#10 posted 02-21-2010 01:38 PM
Nice box there..
-- Tim, Missouri ....Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the heck happened
Bradford
home | projects | blog
1434 posts in 3792 days
#11 posted 02-21-2010 03:27 PM
Pretty nice work. The color is really dark and bold. Anyone would like to have a box like that.
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford. Wood-a-holics unanimous president
Jonathan
home | projects | blog
2608 posts in 3020 days
#12 posted 02-21-2010 06:14 PM
I do like the way you presented the grain pattern on the lid.
What do you use the box for, anything in particular?
-- Jonathan, Denver, CO "Constructive criticism is welcome and valued as it gives me new perspectives and helps me to advance as a woodworker."
Jon Spelbring
home | projects | blog
199 posts in 4223 days
#13 posted 02-22-2010 05:28 AM
Jonathan,
At present, it’s a loose change holder in the kitchen
-- To do is to be
Jonathan
home | projects | blog
2608 posts in 3020 days
#14 posted 02-22-2010 05:07 PM
Saving that change up for more exotics? ;)
-- Jonathan, Denver, CO "Constructive criticism is welcome and valued as it gives me new perspectives and helps me to advance as a woodworker."
Dusty56
home | projects | blog
11819 posts in 3657 days
#15 posted 10-23-2011 10:03 PM
Awesome grain for Wenge…mostly what I have seen so far is all straight grain at my local supplier. Nice box : )
-- I'm absolutely positive that I couldn't be more uncertain!
Have your say...