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My "Not Just Any Box" Entry - with a callback update

Project by Douglas Bordner posted 683 days ago 1107 views 4 times favorited 45 comments Add to Favorites Watch

This box was made as a Christmas present for a friend, Richard Carlson. After seeing a face emerge on my first box of this type, Rich was the one who told me about the character Roly Poly Olie. His kids are younger than my step-son, so they were watching Olie on the Disney Channel at the time that box was made.

I decided to incorporate double dovetails and a stand (or feet for Olie, if you will) utilizing miter joints. I generally eschew miters, as I just don’t do well with them. This time out I built a miter sled, based on one of Niki’s creations. The results were all together better than my usual outcomes with miters.

As with the previous Olie box, the lid is of a pinned breadboard design (walnut pegs for the eyes). The lift (nose) is an acorn turned from walnut with a dowel turned on the base which fits a stopped 1/4˝ hole. The acorn’s cap was woodburned to create the scales, using my wife’s pyrography pen (her Xmas present from me – I will post some of her work shortly. She’s a natural, and everyday she has created something new that blows my socks off. I have gotten more joy from this gift to her than anything short of her engagement ring).

The box had a turned bloodwood escutcheon (the mouth). This has subsequently been replaced by a bookmatched bit of Morado. See last two project pictures for the update. Originally the escutcheon was glued on with cyanoacrylate, now it’s mounted with 5 minute epoxy. I free-handed the shape on the scroll saw to follow grain lines rather than to be strictly symmetrical.

The front panels of the box are made from Jatoba, side panels and base are Cherry with the secondary set of doves in Walnut.

Photobucket

The box has a half-till made from Spanish Cedar with a white oak bottom. I left the Spanish Cedar ledger strips that hold the till up unfinished, so the box is scented with that aroma I love so much. Box bottom is stained baltic birch ply.

Photobucket

I used a piece of Spanish Cedar on the front of the till that had a swirl in it that mirrors the swirling grain of the front Jatoba panel.

Photobucket

Finish is Zinsser Sealcoat dewaxed shellac and Trewax mahogany tinted wax. Box dimensions are 10˝x 7.5˝ x 5.5˝.
The internal depth of the box is 3.75˝.

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


45 comments so far

View gizmodyne's profile

gizmodyne

1672 posts in 983 days


posted 683 days ago

This came out nice. Love the acorn. Clever.

-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

9521 posts in 881 days


posted 683 days ago

Fantactic looking box! The acorn and double dovetails are a great touch.

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

View Karson's profile

Karson

25792 posts in 1293 days


posted 683 days ago

Great Box Douglas. Congratulation on completing.

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

View dennis mitchell's profile

dennis mitchell

3789 posts in 1207 days


posted 683 days ago

That will age beautifully.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3421 posts in 957 days


posted 683 days ago

Karson, if I didn’t enter a box contest I would have to hang it up. I’m still mulling over the 2×4 entry. I’m sure it will be mundane compared to some of the amazing things posted thusfar (Jeez, Paul – you made that from pine…)

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

View TreeBones's profile

TreeBones

1557 posts in 916 days


posted 683 days ago

Very nice, plenty of interesting details to keep looking at

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

View Peter O's profile

Peter O

1016 posts in 767 days


posted 683 days ago

Those kids will be explaining about Olie when they pass this box down to their grandchildren. What a great combination of serious construction and whimsical details! Nice job, Douglas!

-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --

View Hawgnutz's profile

Hawgnutz

522 posts in 969 days


posted 683 days ago

it IS very interesting! Something new will pop up most every time you look at it. Very nice attention to detail!

Boy, do I have to learn my Incra jig!

Go Doug, Go!

God Bless,
Hawg

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

View Jeff's profile

Jeff

996 posts in 987 days


posted 683 days ago

Wonderful box, Douglas. I like the finish and the hinges and how tight everything seems to be overall. Nice Bordnerization (meant in the best sense of the term.) :-)

I have to admit I was a little freaked out when I read the name of the friend for whom you made it… My best friend since 4th grade is named Richard Carlson and he also goes by ‘Rich’.

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

View Dorje's profile

Dorje

1767 posts in 890 days


posted 683 days ago

Super details and gorgeous woods!

-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA

View cajunpen's profile

cajunpen

5968 posts in 959 days


posted 683 days ago

Now that’s a box. Beautiful, well detailed, great photos and details written. Should be a winner.

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

View Dadoo's profile

Dadoo

1723 posts in 883 days


posted 683 days ago

Nice one Doug! Looks like you’ve got that double dovetail down pat now!

-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!

View rikkor's profile

rikkor

11335 posts in 767 days


posted 683 days ago

That’s just amazing. It is beautiful, and the detail is just wonderful. Great job.

View Russel's profile

Russel

2054 posts in 832 days


posted 683 days ago

Very nice. The double dovetails are great and I like the pegged top.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

View Lee A. Jesberger's profile

Lee A. Jesberger

3710 posts in 872 days


posted 683 days ago

Hi Douglas;

Very beautiful Box. Great workmanship.

Lee

-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com

View dustynewt's profile

dustynewt

447 posts in 755 days


posted 683 days ago

Love the box Doug. I too love the aroma of spanish cedar. Takes me back to a box I played with as a kid.

-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com

View Thos. Angle's profile

Thos. Angle

4013 posts in 855 days


posted 682 days ago

Wow, Douglas,
That’s a dandy box. It has lots of interesting elements and it looks and smells good as well. Excellent work.

-- Thos. Angle

View MsDebbieP's profile

MsDebbieP

14156 posts in 1054 days


posted 682 days ago

awesome box. Love the face.. to me it is a modern ollie – with a tongue ring!

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

View Bob #2's profile

Bob #2

3035 posts in 914 days


posted 682 days ago

great job Doug. I like the joints!

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

View CharlieM1958's profile

CharlieM1958

7608 posts in 1111 days


posted 682 days ago

There is a lot going on with that box, Doug. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s got a lot of detailed workmanship that probably only your fellow woodworkers can appreciate the difficulty of.

I’m in agreement with you on the 2×4 contest….I’m sure I can’t come up with anything nearly as imaginative as what has already been posted.

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

View mot's profile

mot

4901 posts in 929 days


posted 682 days ago

It’s just beautiful, Douglas. You have achieved the standard I have come to expect from you. Nice job!

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

View Marge's profile

Marge

144 posts in 847 days


posted 682 days ago

absolutely beautiful. Fine workmanship

-- Marge, Colorado

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

781 posts in 794 days


posted 682 days ago

Yes, Douglas, there’s a lot of time, care and effort gone into this piece. The joints are so impressive and you got the acorn just right! The stand suits the box admirably.

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

View DocK16's profile

DocK16

710 posts in 980 days


posted 682 days ago

I think this has it all: great design, fine joinery with perfect fit and attention to detail and a fine looking finish. You keep getting better with each post Doug.

-- DocK, WV

View Grumpy's profile

Grumpy

14914 posts in 744 days


posted 682 days ago

Very cleverly done Douglas. Beautiful work.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

View Chris 's profile

Chris

1469 posts in 884 days


posted 682 days ago

Great box and I love the Acorn!

-- Chris

View miles125's profile

miles125

1418 posts in 898 days


posted 682 days ago

Great looking box! Love your wood combinations.

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

View Blake's profile

Blake

2748 posts in 767 days


posted 682 days ago

How did I miss this before?! Great job, Doug! I love your details. The Acorn and the turned escutcheon are so cool. You always make such unique and beautiful boxes. Bravo.

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

View DAN 's profile

DAN

6438 posts in 876 days


posted 682 days ago

great job douglas

-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7033 posts in 1192 days


posted 682 days ago

Some more outstanding craftsmanship. I’s going to be nerve racking to pick a winner.

I guess the contenders will have to run ads.

-- -** 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

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3421 posts in 957 days


posted 682 days ago

Thanks, all. I keep looking over my shoulder for entries from Don Barton, Andy Campbell, Bill Cowan, Ethan, Odie, Blake and the distinguished gentleman from the East Riding of Yorkshire. I’m fully prepared to be beaten like a gong by any and all of these fellows, but it would be an honor just to be on the same page with any of them. I’m just shooting for the Mr. Congeniality award. I’d look fabulous with that pageant sash over my overalls. ;^D

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

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

7299 posts in 1139 days


posted 681 days ago

Just beautiful Doug. Great design and all the different features you’ve added make it a winner. But how did you get those darn barrel hinges to work. I threw away a whole pack of the darn things because I couldn’t get them to work for me. I think I bought them too small. Great project you’ve made though. Good luck in the running. mike

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3421 posts in 957 days


posted 681 days ago

Mike,
I always strike a centerline on the box edge and the lid and then measure for the holes out from there. And I centerpunch for the brad tip bits to register to. The Incra ruler helps. An alternative would be to use stop blocks on a drill press table, but my goofy little ad hoc table is pretty lame. One of these days, I will pour over the Niki posts and see what I can come up with. Entrophy. Don’t just love that things don’t improve without effort, but stuff gets out of alignment, goes dull, rusts etc. with no effort on our parts.

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

View davidtheboxmaker's profile

davidtheboxmaker

372 posts in 698 days


posted 681 days ago

What a great box – lots of features and innovations.
I’ve been trying to use barrel hinges without success – can’t seem to get the depth right.

View Bradford's profile

Bradford

787 posts in 716 days


posted 680 days ago

Outstanding piece. Love the dovetails.

-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.

View shaun's profile

shaun

360 posts in 798 days


posted 672 days ago

That’s a smokin’ box Doug. The double dovetails are great, I love that look. Great detials.

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

View Dick, & Barb Cain's profile

Dick, & Barb Cain

7033 posts in 1192 days


posted 667 days ago

A magnificent creation, & great craftsmanship.

Also a beautiful choice of wood combinations.

I just noticed that I’d already made a comment, but it needed this addendum.

-- -** 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

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3421 posts in 957 days


posted 667 days ago

Thanks, Dick :^D

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

View Don's profile

Don

2590 posts in 1070 days


posted 667 days ago

Douglas – this is a wonderful box and you know how much I just love small wooden boxes. Thanks for all the detailed pictures. I know a box is exceptionally made when so many close ups are shown. No mere Photoshop joinery here! LOL

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

View YorkshireStewart's profile

YorkshireStewart

781 posts in 794 days


posted 667 days ago

Ha! you rumbled me Don! I thought I’d digitally removed those nails so well.

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

View SPalm's profile

SPalm

945 posts in 775 days


posted 667 days ago

Douglas,

I missed this the first time around.

Very very nice. It is just stunning.

Steve

-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon

View Copperjock's profile

Copperjock

120 posts in 691 days


posted 660 days ago

Great box. That double dovetail makes such a statement. I assume it’s safe to say there doesn’t exist a template for that! Wonderful results. Good job.

-- All the test cuts in the world won't stop you from cutting the outside when you meant to cut the inside. doh!

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3421 posts in 957 days


posted 659 days ago

CJ, I’m afraid there is a template. It’s an Incra jig joint. But it is possible to screw it up, so I’m pleased that it worked.

Thanks all for your kind comments!

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

View Billp's profile

Billp

329 posts in 1093 days


posted 641 days ago

What in the Roli Round World is going on. That’s one fantastic box, your attention to detail and craftsmanship leaves me dedicated to work harder so someday I can turn out a piece somewhere close to your level. Ps. thanks for the nice comment on my first box.

-- Billp

View Douglas Bordner's profile

Douglas Bordner

3421 posts in 957 days


posted 73 days ago

Had a call-back which has been reposted- the escutcheon glue-up failed, and a new one has been applied with epoxy. Takes the box a bit of a new direction.

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

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