| Project by Douglas Bordner | posted 669 days ago | 1094 views | 4 times favorited | 45 comments | ![]() |
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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 This has subsequently been replaced by a bookmatched bit of Morado.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.
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.
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.
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
gizmodyne
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1658 posts in 969 days
posted 669 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
GaryK
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9496 posts in 867 days
posted 669 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.
Karson
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25279 posts in 1279 days
posted 669 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 †
dennis mitchell
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3785 posts in 1193 days
posted 669 days ago
That will age beautifully.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Douglas Bordner
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3415 posts in 942 days
posted 669 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.
TreeBones
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1558 posts in 902 days
posted 669 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
Peter O
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1005 posts in 753 days
posted 669 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 --
Hawgnutz
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522 posts in 955 days
posted 669 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
Jeff
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996 posts in 973 days
posted 669 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
Dorje
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1768 posts in 875 days
posted 668 days ago
Super details and gorgeous woods!
-- Dorje (pronounced "door-jay"), Seattle, WA
cajunpen
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5970 posts in 945 days
posted 668 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/
Dadoo
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1724 posts in 869 days
posted 668 days ago
Nice one Doug! Looks like you’ve got that double dovetail down pat now!
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
rikkor
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11338 posts in 753 days
posted 668 days ago
That’s just amazing. It is beautiful, and the detail is just wonderful. Great job.
Russel
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2033 posts in 818 days
posted 668 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.
Lee A. Jesberger
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3709 posts in 858 days
posted 668 days ago
Hi Douglas;
Very beautiful Box. Great workmanship.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
dustynewt
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440 posts in 741 days
posted 668 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
Thos. Angle
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4015 posts in 841 days
posted 668 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
MsDebbieP
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14096 posts in 1039 days
posted 668 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)
Bob #2
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2991 posts in 900 days
posted 668 days ago
great job Doug. I like the joints!
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
CharlieM1958
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7467 posts in 1097 days
posted 668 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"
mot
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4901 posts in 915 days
posted 668 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)
Marge
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144 posts in 832 days
posted 668 days ago
absolutely beautiful. Fine workmanship
-- Marge, Colorado
YorkshireStewart
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779 posts in 780 days
posted 668 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
DocK16
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697 posts in 966 days
posted 668 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
Grumpy
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14852 posts in 730 days
posted 668 days ago
Very cleverly done Douglas. Beautiful work.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Chris
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1456 posts in 870 days
posted 668 days ago
Great box and I love the Acorn!
-- Chris
miles125
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1414 posts in 884 days
posted 668 days ago
Great looking box! Love your wood combinations.
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""
Blake
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2715 posts in 753 days
posted 668 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
DAN
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6402 posts in 862 days
posted 668 days ago
great job douglas
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
Dick, & Barb Cain
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6991 posts in 1178 days
posted 668 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
Douglas Bordner
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3415 posts in 942 days
posted 667 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.
jockmike2
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7222 posts in 1125 days
posted 667 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
Douglas Bordner
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3415 posts in 942 days
posted 667 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.
davidtheboxmaker
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372 posts in 684 days
posted 667 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.
Bradford
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783 posts in 701 days
posted 665 days ago
Outstanding piece. Love the dovetails.
-- so much wood, so little time. Bradford.
shaun
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361 posts in 784 days
posted 658 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!
Dick, & Barb Cain
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6991 posts in 1178 days
posted 653 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
Douglas Bordner
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3415 posts in 942 days
posted 653 days ago
Thanks, Dick :^D
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Don
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2590 posts in 1056 days
posted 653 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/
YorkshireStewart
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779 posts in 780 days
posted 653 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
SPalm
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921 posts in 761 days
posted 653 days ago
Douglas,
I missed this the first time around.
Very very nice. It is just stunning.
Steve
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Copperjock
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120 posts in 677 days
posted 646 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!
Douglas Bordner
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3415 posts in 942 days
posted 645 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.
Billp
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318 posts in 1079 days
posted 627 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
Douglas Bordner
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3415 posts in 942 days
posted 59 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.