| Project by Chips | posted 958 days ago | 2648 views | 17 times favorited | 33 comments | ![]() |
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Ever have a personal project that grows. I think the end of this one is insight. I just want to recap the journey. It all started when I signed up 18th Century Carving with Lonnie Bird. I think that was about the time I joined LJ.
Design 1
All I wanted to do was build a briefcase style box for the Gouges required for the class.
Problem:
• Too small.
Design 2
Turning to Sketchup. I designed a larger box that opens flat with Gouges on both sides.Workable Yes Then I saw GaryKk’s “A box for my wood collection”
.
.
I like to challenge myself. Thanks to GaryK’s blog I know how. (Good blog Gary Thanks) Cut the pieces cut maple for the top and bottom.
Problem:
• The open box is larger than my work bench leaving no place for me to work.
I never assembled the large box. Took the cutoffs and made these boxes. “Three small boxes”
.
Design 3
Make large box stand on end.
Problem:
• Box not designed to hold gouges vertical
• Stands to vertical
• Modification imposable.
I have seen cardboard mockup of designs, now I know why. Try again.
Design 4
No more completed pieces Proof of Concept only. I made a holder to hold 5 gouges vertical. Works. Hinge two of these face to face. Small problem when closed gouges can fall into the others space. Solution offset holes. Five on one side six on the other. Built simple frame to hold at a slight angle. Realized the frame was large enough to hold drawers for tools. It just needed a double hinge to expose the drawers.
Design 5
Sketchup time again. I love Sketchup. Make about ten different versions Based on the lessons learned from the Proof of Concept.
Design 6 The build.
Here is where personality comes in to play. I have never really worked from plans. So off to the shop with a good Concept (all the needed changes never made it into Sketchup), approx. size, a determination to build a box, a work bench that moves away when ever approached, a good table saw, hand tools and knowledge of the problems with the Proof of Concept. All that’s left to overcome is my lack of experience in woodworking.
To quote MsDebbieP “If it is worth doing, it is worth doing wrong”
And from that wrong blossoms experience, skills, knowledge and wisdom
I definitely did a lot of the wood working steps wrong. Thanks MsDebbieP for showing me what I gained.
I also used GaryK’s quote “Never pass up the opportunity to make a mistake look like you planned it that way” to finish this project. That’s the only way to go.
Conclusions
Carving Skills: improving, getting closer to where I want to be
Woodworking skills: improving, problems seem to be lack of experience
Design skills: needs the most work but improving
Wood: Walnut, Maple, Basswood
Footprint: 8 ¾” x 18”
Size Closed: 13” x 20” x 18”H
Size Open: 15” x 33 ½” x 33 ½”H
Finish: Lacquer
Hand cut dovetails
Photo: rotated, cropped, and resized in Sketchup.
Martin if you ever have a contest to build a tool tote, I have my entry.
-- Make every day the best day of your life. Chips, Mississippi
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33 comments so far
mysticcarver
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50 posts in 1232 days
#1 posted 958 days ago
I Love this piece!! Excellant work!!
-- J.Palmer,Texas,http://www.mysticcarvings.com
Jordan
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1336 posts in 1291 days
#2 posted 958 days ago
This is so fabulous!!! It’s something nobody would or could possibly think of! I really think it’s so unique – carving skills look pretty darn great to me!
-- http://www.jordanstraker.com
William
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7056 posts in 1008 days
#3 posted 958 days ago
The problem though is that the photos do not, and can not, do this box justice. I have seen it in person about a week ago. It is not a box. It is a work of art. I think Chips that you have plenty enough experience for you to build this, that you could absolutely build anything you set your mind to. If you need too much more experience in woodworking skills as you noted, then I’m putting my tools up and going fishing. Great job.
-- http://wddsrfinewoodworks.blogspot.com/
Richard
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353 posts in 1287 days
#4 posted 958 days ago
Incredible! I didn’t know what I was looking at first, but there is certainly a method to you madness. I am creative myself, but I would of never thought of designing a project like this.
-- Richard Boise, Idaho
KayBee
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896 posts in 1412 days
#5 posted 958 days ago
Great!! Just fantastic. Totally unique and beautiful. I’ve thought of doing a carving tool tote with some classical motifs, but this is just great. Did I say this is really great? Lol
-- Karen - a little bit of stupid goes a long way
TJ65
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1332 posts in 1216 days
#6 posted 958 days ago
thats not just a box but a work of art.
I Wish photos would be 3D sometimes as I am sure the pics do not do it any justice.
I would love to really check it out as it looks really very interesting.
-- Theresa, https://sites.google.com/site/tmj65treasure/
spunwood
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1160 posts in 1002 days
#7 posted 958 days ago
Fantastic! I wish you had posted a picture of the drawers open, or how you get the mallet out.
I was looking at those classes he offers. How did you enjoy them? Did you learn much?
-- I came, I was conquered, I was born again. ἵνα ὦσιν ἓν
Bob Collins
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1124 posts in 1850 days
#8 posted 958 days ago
To good to use in the shop. A great creation and would certainly be a one of. Terrific craftsmanship.
-- Bob C, Australia. I love sharing as long as it is not my tools
Greg The Cajun Box Sculptor
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3762 posts in 1474 days
#9 posted 958 days ago
Excellent . Your work is creative and artistic. I like work that is unique and different from the traditional everyday projects.
-- 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
KTMM (Krunkthemadman) aka. Lucas Crenshaw
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591 posts in 1359 days
#10 posted 958 days ago
VERY, VERY nice. Can’t wait to see it in person…..
-- My hear doesn't beat, it wobbles.......
a1Jim
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86958 posts in 1743 days
#11 posted 958 days ago
Amazing and unbelievable job a true work of art
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Flemming
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417 posts in 1062 days
#12 posted 958 days ago
best jewellery box i’ve seen!!!
:D
-- Flemming. It's only a mistake if you can't fix it.
Brit
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4183 posts in 1009 days
#13 posted 958 days ago
Usually I view the projects on LJs with an eleastic band over my head and under my chin. Firstly, it stops my jaw dropping too much and secondly it keeps the drool off my keyboard. I had to resort to two elastic bands when I saw this Chip. Absolutely outstanding! Totally original design, lovingly and expertly executed.
It is truly a tote that does your wonderful tools justice and I’m sure you will draw inspiration from it every time you use them.
-- Andy -- Old Chinese proverb say: If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it.
Bradford
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1421 posts in 1989 days
#14 posted 958 days ago
WOW!!!!! Now thats a post. Good hook, “Jewelry box”, nice jewels. The box is something we will be talking about for a long time. It’s obvious, you take direction well and run with it. I’ve never seen anything like this. I love every aspect of it.
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford. Wood-a-holics unanimous president
Dennis Zongker
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2176 posts in 1758 days
#15 posted 958 days ago
WOW!!! Great job, man!
-- Dennis Zongker
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