This is my first furniture project, created for my daughter. I started this project late last year after obtaining beautiful curly cherry and maple from Scott Porosky (poroskywood). I initially started with the armadillo inlay. All inlay pieces, both open armadillo on the top of lid and closed on the bottom of lid were made using 1/4 inch thick pieces of wood. I purchased about 20x the amount of exotics, searching for particular grain patterns. Corners, braces, and penguin inlays on the bottom were gabon ebony. 20 species in all used. All inlays cut on my scroll saw. I drew them first on paper then tried the template thing (3 different times)...but found free hand was more accurate. BLO applied (1:4 ratio with mineral spirits) and immediately wiped off. CA glue over inlay then finished with french polish using clear shellac flakes in a 2# cut over a 2 month period. Still have to rub out in a couple weeks. Inspiration was semi-dark with the penguins heads down towards a sun nearing its end. The armodillo being a symbol of humility. Chose curly cherry to represent movement in water.
25 comments so far
jim1953
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2568 posts in 2039 days
#1 posted 968 days ago
Great Lookin Toy Box
-- Jim, Kentucky
Roger
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9479 posts in 1001 days
#2 posted 968 days ago
that’s one hell-of-a-storybehind this build. Awesome job. Your daughter will love it. The finish is spectacular. Oh, and welcome to LJ’s…. This is a great place for all sorts of woodin info and inspirations, and knowledge from all sorts of folks/jocks all over the world. Have fun, and keep on makin dust
-- Roger from KY. Work/Play/Travel Safe. Kentuk55@bellsouth.net
Chip
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1904 posts in 2289 days
#3 posted 968 days ago
Great piece of woodworking Donald. That wood is beautiful and you really did a wonderful job on that inlay… it looks terrific. Thanks for sharing this with us.
-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt!
TheGravedigger
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963 posts in 2221 days
#4 posted 968 days ago
For a first furniture project, you’re off to a great start. The BLO really brought out the grain of the wood. Good job!
-- Robert - Visit my woodworking blog: http://littlegoodpieces.wordpress.com
Alan
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443 posts in 1601 days
#5 posted 968 days ago
Wow, what a great project.
-- Alan, Prince George
Dusty56
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10720 posts in 1885 days
#6 posted 968 days ago
Not everyone gets to have a museum quality toy box while they’re growing up…..Your daughter is very lucky : )
Congratulations on such a wonderful project. I noticed the penguins right away….such an awesome detail in addition to the Armadillo . Your wood choices were excellent and I’ve also been lucky enough to get some prime porosky wood pieces from Scott : )
Where did you find those hinges ?
-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.
RS Woodworks
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446 posts in 1448 days
#7 posted 968 days ago
WOW!!! Amazing heirloom piece that I’m sure will be treasured for many many years. Great work!!
-- I restore the finest vintage tools! If you need a nice plane, saw, marking tool or brace, please let me know!
OutPutter
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1194 posts in 2187 days
#8 posted 968 days ago
Very nice toy box. How did you come up with the idea for armadillos? Do they even have armadillos in Washington or Connecticut? I can see the penguins cause what kid doesn’t like penguins? But, it’s the armadillo that makes it so special. And who puts a French polish job on a toy box? You’re one crazy dad!
Best,
-- Jim
HerbC
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782 posts in 1056 days
#9 posted 968 days ago
OutPutter,
I saw the penguins and thought “Another Linux user…”
Herb
-- Herb, Florida - Here's why I close most messages with "Be Careful!" http://lumberjocks.com/HerbC/blog/17090
Richard
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353 posts in 1318 days
#10 posted 968 days ago
Nice toy chest, I like the armadillo. The idea of the penquins are very unique.
-- Richard Boise, Idaho
Neil Rokos
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6 posts in 970 days
#11 posted 968 days ago
Sorry about the way your toy box turned out, cause you have set the bar pretty high on every project after this!!!!!!!
Great box, looking forward to seeing the next project
JAGWAH
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922 posts in 1281 days
#12 posted 968 days ago
Very fun! I really like the Armadillo, nice piece.
-- ~Just A Guy With A Hammer~
dorran
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140 posts in 1431 days
#13 posted 968 days ago
Great Build. Very unique. That beautiful cherry grain will be admired for generations to come.
-- Life is about choices. You can spend a lot of money on furniture and have really nice furniture; Or you can spend a lot on tools and have even more expensive, crappy furniture. I made my choice.
Jamie Speirs
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3719 posts in 1053 days
#14 posted 968 days ago
That is really nice.
jamie
-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Eagle1
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2042 posts in 1261 days
#15 posted 967 days ago
WOW!!! Your daughter will cherish it for years. And probably her kid’s also. Great piece to hand down thru the family.
-- Tim, Missouri ....Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the heck happened
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