Gun Box -- Winter Contest Entry

That’s a nice box to show off a prized piece.

great entry lobo , i also like the lid outcome . well done good luck !

It looks great. The joinery looks clean and everything looks tight. I like the rounded corners, it seems to fit well with the overall size and function of the box. The walnut stripe looks good, probably better than a single species lid. Another fine piece of work.

Form fits function! Great box with very nice proportions.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

The box is beautiful!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Sarge, That is a handsome box and a fine .45 ACP sidearm. I have watched you steadily improve your skills over the last two months. Have no fear, I think it’s just more icing on the cake when it comes to more skill sets in your boxmaking career. I think you are there.

Why 10 rounds? Even with a full mag and one in the pipe, you have a backup. Just curious.
I have a few weapons locked up tight from my bachelor days. I keep telling myself that someday I will build french-fitted boxes for them. But as they will always be outside the home, it doesn’t make much sense. Someday, when I have my quonset hut shop and my berm out back I may start stuffing my own cartridges again…

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

You are certainly a quick learner, Sarge. This is a very sophisticated-looking box. Well done!

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

Very nicely done and the texas star on top is like the whipped cream…excellent touch.

-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA

gorgeous box!
I like your write-up as well.

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

Thank you all for the great comments! Douglas, I put the extra 10 rounds in there more for show than anything else. So, as you have put together, if I’m carrying this thing full, I’ll have 31 rounds total…

I also forgot to mention another problem I ran into on this box. The center piece of walnut on the lid…The walnut I have is a good 3/4” think and the cocobolo is only 1/4” thick. I sure wasn’t going to sand off a 1/2” of walnut and shaving it with my table saw was a risky proposition. I don’t have a thickness planer either. So, I had to make a jig for my router that allowed me to use a straight bit like a thickness planer. The jig worked great and I was able to successfully thin down my walnut to match the cocobolo for the lid.

Also, this project has spurred a new project for me. When I get a chance I will purchase some more cocobolo and attempt to make some custom grips to match the case!

-- Sgt_Lobo -- Aurora, CO

Now that would be the crowning touch.

Very nice box! The Kimber 45 is nice too. My son has a Kimber Ultra Carry 45 that he likes a lot. He might even like to have a custom made box for his too.

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

I bet he would Tom! Kimber is one of the better 1911 makers out there. The Ultra Carry is a very fine sidearm (especially if he carries concealed). Sounds like a fine gift idea if you ask me…

-- Sgt_Lobo -- Aurora, CO

You are a quick learner. I’m a big fan of your boxes. Great job and really nice details. I agree with you about the walnut… it does add character. I like the hardware you used too, where did you get the star on the lid?

-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com

Any M-1911 rate’s a comfortablle place to rest and you fixed yours up in an outstanding display case. I have high regards for these remarkable firearms for I got pretty close to mine in nam, even talked to it a few times I think. Semper Fi

-- www.flickr.com/photos/egamarine/

First class, nice side arm. Well done.

-- Ron, Twain Harte, Ca. Portable on site Sawmill Service http://westcoastlands.net/Sawmill.html http://westcoastlands.net/SawBucks2/phpBB3

Beautifully done, Lobo. Yes, that walnut works very well and it’s got a lovely finish.

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

Thanks again everyone!

Blake, I got the star for the lid at Tandy leather. It’s a simple screw on leather concho and only cost a couple of bucks, but I think it adds a lot to the box…

EGA— Semper Fi. I wish the mil would still allow us to carry 1911s, but now we are stuck with those damn beretta pieces of $%@*. I hate double actions… That and we can only carry 9mm ammo instead of .45. I’ve always qualified expert with the berettas, but I can shoot twice as effectively with my kimber!

-- Sgt_Lobo -- Aurora, CO

Very very nice. I love the top. Great look. I like the idea of the custom grips too.

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

Great job Sarge. A nice looking box and the star does set it off.

First class.

-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Nicely done and great looking wood!

You did a nice job on this, Sarge.
God bless

-- Gene, a Christian in Virginia

Nice story Sarge, and a wonderful gift to yourself. Nice job, and thanks for your service if I haven’t already. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

Sarge -

WOW! Very cool project. May I predict that you have a winner in this box . . .

I like every aspect of this project. Very nice work. Great wood species choices and excellent finish.

Your skills are advancing at an exponential rate. What is next from your bench?

David

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Great looking Box. I agree the star does add to the overall look. I remember when I had to give up my .45 for the 9mil. I liked the extra rounds but hated the “stopping” power. Oh those were days to remember, good friends and good times.

-- Greg - Charles Town, WV

Nice looking box. As for the guns you can have ‘em. After carrying one on my side for the past 39 years I think if I never see one after next year I will be a happy woodworker. More power to you guys that love them though, I’m not one of those gun haters – just tired of wearing one and seeing first hand what they do.

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

Wow! I can’t thank you all enough for the support you provide me on this site. Responses to my projects like this help keep the drive alive in me to create more.

David – That means a lot to me that you think I may have a winner with this one. There are so many wonderful box makers on this site that I learn so much from. In addition to this pistol box I have been working on a tool chest, so stay tuned and hopefully I’ll finish it up and post it shortly…

TopE5 – Not ramped and ported, stock like I bought it. I do shoot IDPA competitions now and again. I don’t seem to find a lot of time to shoot competitions regularly, but I enjoy them when I can. I looked up those Safari Arms 1911s and they look incredibly nice, definitely something I’d want to display…

-- Sgt_Lobo -- Aurora, CO

Those are some beautiful woods you used.Well done.

-- " If I can make it,so can you" Andy in Oregon

Sarge, Thank you for your service to the country. Freedom isn’t free.

Sweetest Combo I’ve seen… Wow the box and the 1911 compliment each other so nicely!!!
They look like they’re meant for each other.. I am truly super Mag Jealous. That just gave me something to dream about.. It looks like a Dream, a Dream come true! The handle is beautiful too.. I’ very impressed with the, choice of wood color emblem, are all MINT! i think you’ve won my vote so far.. Bravo… I’ve always thought a box is better displayed with it’s purpose in mind.. What’s going in the box, is a great importantce in design and my over all opinion. Again, It’s A freagin’ Dream, A real Beaute! Thanks for sharing this here Sarge, It has inspired me. Patrick Miles, BKLYN. Oh yes and like rikkor said Thank you! True warrior spirit there!

-- PJM.`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((º> ""BY HAMMER AND HAND ALL ARTS DO STAND""1785-1974 nyc Semper Fi, Patrick M

You got a CHAMP there…. It’s going to be hard to compete with… you’ve just raised the BAR.. And I don’t mean a BAR rifle, I mean the Bar.. Nice, Don’t see how this combo can be beat! Patrick. Hmm you really got me thinking now… Good Stuff.

-- PJM.`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((º> ""BY HAMMER AND HAND ALL ARTS DO STAND""1785-1974 nyc Semper Fi, Patrick M

And wow the . ‘not planned walnut ’ Is great .. thank god you ran out of cocabolo.. It’s one of those perfect adaptations. Over come adapt Improvise…right. The finish coatings sound like a good formula too.. I’d like to try that. Patrick.

-- PJM.`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸ ><((((º> ""BY HAMMER AND HAND ALL ARTS DO STAND""1785-1974 nyc Semper Fi, Patrick M

That is a wonderful box!

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

Haha, I wish I had seen this earlier. I started building a pistol box for my sister today. She graduates from the police academy this month and I’m building a box to store her off-duty pistol. Shhhh, it’s a surprise. Anyway, beautiful box. I love that cocobolo. I’m off to find the right inlay.

Great work Sgt.

-- Chris

Awsome box, great save with the walnut and you’re right, it definetly adds to the character. The finish is perfect.

-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!

Sarge, a very attractive small box. Your choice of wood befits the purpose of the box- very masculine. Even when used to hold weapon, I just love small wooden boxes.

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

Don,

I’ve been waiting for you to say that on one of my projects for a long time…Now I truly feel like a part of LJs!

-- Sgt_Lobo -- Aurora, CO

Very nice Sarge!!

I bet you’ll get the gun lovers vote on this one.

-- -** 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

Great Job Sgt !! Owning a couple of 1911’s and carrying the Kimber Ultra Carry CDP II you got me thinking seriously about making grips and boxes.

-- Charlie, Humble, Texas

That’s very nice. You can make your own wire melter/cutter using a wall wart and scrap wood.

Last but not least, thank you for serving.

-- Tony

Very nice.

-- Dustygirl..Hastings,Ontario.. How much wood can 1 gal chuck if 1 gal can't cut wood?

A great job and super box I like the top best .

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon

u have a pretty good collection there no others just 45’s sweet. also nice box too!!!

-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop,www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com