| Project by RogerBean | posted 978 days ago | 2735 views | 23 times favorited | 43 comments |  |
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It’s been a while since I posted my last project, but this walnut burl veneered box is my most elaborate so far. It turned out to be a fair challenge and took a while. (As in, open a Samuel Adams and think “well now, how am I going to do that?”)
The edging is boxwood, highlighted with a simple black-black/white/black line all around. The lid is a four-way book-match, and the sides are two-piece bookmatch, all taken from four consecutive sheets so that the front/back, and the two sides are identical. There are forty individual pieces of veneer.
The box is 11” L x 6 1/4” W x 5 1/4” H. I like to use side-rail quadrant hinges (bcspecialities.com) , and inlayed a small white/black/white line along the lip of the lid and base to accent the inner edge. The edge veneer (between lid and base) is bookmatched to tie in with the faces. The 2 1/2” brass bail handles are from LeeValley.com.
The full mortise lock was chosen because it had the most attractive key of any I have found. Most of the available locks have ugly keys. I used a small brass lock escutcheon (and locks, both from WhiteChapel.com) rather than my usual pearl inlay to leave the burl front unobstructed. There are no inlays in the lid for the same reason; looking for overall balance in proportions and decoration. I really like inlays but it’s easy to go too far and let things get too busy. This box seemed to want to stop here.
The interior is lined with black-green velvet. I sometimes veneer the interior with figured wood but I almost always line the base because I personally like the “finished” and softer feel of the suede or velvet. There are three individual trays of cocobolo with brass pins, also lined with green velvet.
I believe this particular shape was pioneered by Andrew Crawford ( www.fine-boxes.com ), and the graceful curves add a sophistication to the profile. However, the curves do offer some challenges, particularly with the three-way miters on the edging. There are not many 45 degree cuts, which makes fitting them tedious. The finish is French polish with super-blond shellac. ...and a bit of elbow grease.
By the way, I’m just an amateur boxmaker. I make these things for fun and would certainly starve to death if I tried this for a living. :-)
Thanks for looking in. You can’t have too many boxes!
Roger
PS: Oh, I drank the cabernet.
-- "Everybody makes mistakes. A craftsman always fixes them." (Monty Kennedy, "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks", 1952)
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43 comments so far
Jordan
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1336 posts in 1294 days
#1 posted 978 days ago
You guys and these boxes make me sick – with envy, that is! My eye was drawn to this right away. It’s so royal looking! Fabulous job.
-- http://www.jordanstraker.com
grizzman
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5389 posts in 1473 days
#2 posted 978 days ago
this is a fabulous box…i really hate to call them that…its such a mundane word to me…and it no where describes the beauty of one of these…i hope i can someday do something of this caliber…your box inspires me….grizzman
-- GRIZZMAN ...[''''']
Kindlingmaker
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2646 posts in 1696 days
#3 posted 978 days ago
This is a museum piece for sure or filled with many precious jewels!
-- Never board, always knotty, lots of growth rings
Jack Barnhill
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362 posts in 1535 days
#4 posted 978 days ago
That is an extremely beautiful “box”! I like your Sam Adams approach to box making. It seems to work well for you.
-- Best regards, Jack -- I may not be good, but I'm slow -- www.BarnhillWoodworks.com
Edward83
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161 posts in 1066 days
#5 posted 978 days ago
Yowzer! that is one hell of a beautiful box, I love the quadruple bookmatching on the lid, brilliant!
-- Praise God in all things, especially the bad things because they make the best learning experiences.
CharlieM1958
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14858 posts in 2388 days
#6 posted 978 days ago
Well, this just makes me want to throw my best box in the fireplace and cry. :-)
Excellent work, Roger! I’m curious as to how the curves are actually formed.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Randy63
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197 posts in 1061 days
#7 posted 978 days ago
I’ve been axiously waiting to see the end result on this box and the result is gorgeous. I like all facets of this box, the choice and bookmatching of veneers, the high quality hinges, lock, and handles, the cocobolo trays, the keen attention to fine details, and not to overlook a superb French polishing job. My compliments on the photography as well. I particularly liked that you also included a photo of the boxes back.
-- Randy, Oakdale, Ca.
Bearpie
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2475 posts in 1188 days
#8 posted 978 days ago
Wow, the burl pattern is simply awesome, you did great! This is a very beautiful box!
Erwin, Jacksonville, FL
-- Erwin, Jacksonville, FL
Jesse
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105 posts in 1032 days
#9 posted 978 days ago
amazing!
I gained so much from looking at your work. For instance, I had no idea that keys could be ugly. :D
Blake
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3421 posts in 2044 days
#10 posted 977 days ago
Awesome!
I know what you mean. I have sold a few things but I think I probably make about $0.50 per hour.
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us
Greg The Cajun Box Sculptor
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3777 posts in 1478 days
#11 posted 977 days ago
That is one classy looking box and it shows that you have alot of time into building it. Very nice !
-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com
TungOilTim
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83 posts in 1386 days
#12 posted 977 days ago
Perfect 10
-- Tim, Plant City FL
tomd
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1317 posts in 1940 days
#13 posted 977 days ago
WOW, WOW, Roger that is a hum dinger of a box just beautiful. You excuted it superbly. Congratulations of a real work of art.
-- Tom D
bobasaurus
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689 posts in 1354 days
#14 posted 977 days ago
Incredible box. Really makes me want to try my hand at veneering. The effort you spent on every single detail is amazing, and that curve looks like a major challenge.
fernandoindia
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1002 posts in 1113 days
#15 posted 977 days ago
Roger, gorgeous piece.
Looks like a really challenging journey.
Very inspiring
-- Back home. Fernando
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