| Project by Alin Dobra | posted 207 days ago | 832 views | 2 times favorited | 38 comments | ![]() |
After three weeks in the making (about 50 hours of work), here it is: my entry for the “Not Just Any Box” competition. I designed and build this box for this competition starting Jan 8 (a little late, I know). The box pushed my skills to the limit and I was forced to learn a couple of things. I can truly say it reflects my current skill level both in terms of design and execution.
My main considerations when I set upon designing this box were:
1. Include as many of my skills in a single box as possible. I wanted a box that requires significant bandsawing, hand-cut dovetails, carving and, if possible wood turning.
2. Coming up with a clean design was paramount. Since I wanted so many skills reflected in the work, the possibility to produce an “overly decorated” piece was great.
3. I wanted something useful: a jewelry box that can actually hold a lot of jewelry.
4. As few straight lines as possible. This is especially difficult if dovetails are to be included since they require straight parts to be executed. I had this idea of curved dovetails for a long time but never had the guts to attempt it. This project seemed like the ideal opportunity.
Main design challenges:
1. Decide on a shape that is interesting but not overwhelming. I used Sketchup to get an idea of what would work.
2. Fit in a natural way a natural edge bowl. The inspiration came when I realized that a bride is bound to have a nice wedding ring that needs a special place.
3. Design some feet that fit the rest of the box and give it just enough elevation to add interestingness but not detract.
4. Design some shape for the partitions for the inside trays that fit the design of the box (straight partitions do not really fit).
Main construction challenges:
1. Cut the dovetails on wide pieces at a 15 degree angle (approx). The dovetails had to be perfect throughout the joint since I was planning to round them up (thus the inside becomes outside).
2. Shape the exterior (correct order is crucial). I first cut the dovetails, than the inside shape then glued the dovetails, then the outside shape.
3. Make the inside trays. Since the partitions are not straight, to avoid going insane with lots of small parts bending, I opted for using the scrollsaw on a 2×16 x 10 block of pine. Tedious work to say the least.
4. Doing a delicate woodturning worthy enough to be the central piece and to hold the wedding ring.
5. Carving the rose (about 8 hours on the rose alone).
6. Sanding the box (all done by hand)
Details about the box:
1. The box is 16 1/8” x 10” x 6”
2. The sides and top of the box are cut from a 4”x5”x36” block of cherry
3. The sides are hand-dovetailed and rounded
4. The rose is basswood (hand-carved and inserted into a hole in the top. I did not use glue since it allows me to remove the rose should I need to fiddle with the top and the fit in the hole is go good I have to press it in)
5. Inside trays are pine with a plywood bottom. The top tray is removable. Both trays “treated” with Donjer flocking. This flocking is sprayed over a glue and forms a nice cover. Everything got covered to make sure there is no competition for the central piece.
6. The box is finished with Watco oil and buffed to a nice luster. The rose and woodturning are finished with shellac.
Here are some more pictures of the box (3 pictures is not enough to show this box properly). Click on the picture to see a higher resolution version.
Thanks for looking,
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
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38 comments so far
GaryK
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8392 posts in 423 days
posted 207 days ago
Excellent! That carving is great as is the entire box. The corners are fantastic.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Chris
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1121 posts in 426 days
posted 207 days ago
Outstanding Work Alin!
-- Chris
rikkor
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7015 posts in 309 days
posted 207 days ago
That is ‘drop-dead’ gorgeous. Wonderful workmanship.
-- Maplewood, MN
Scott Bryan
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8398 posts in 256 days
posted 207 days ago
Alin, what can I say about the box? It is absolutely wonderful. The detail and craftmanship are wonderful.
Stunning!!!!!!
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
davidtheboxmaker
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288 posts in 240 days
posted 207 days ago
That’s a great box – as you say, it showcases a lot of different skills – well done.
lw mitchell jr.
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5 posts in 322 days
posted 207 days ago
very beautiful,and those dove-tails.wow
-- dubster-lowell,ar.-dubjr9539@sbcglobal.net
Critterman
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450 posts in 245 days
posted 207 days ago
Wow, that is incredible. And the rose carving…simply amazing. I didn’t have time to enter this year…with this box glad I didn’t….Geez, absolutely stunning. Alin, just can’t say enough what an amazing box.
-- Jim Hallada, Chesterfield, VA
Colin
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113 posts in 355 days
posted 207 days ago
Excellent work Alin, a wonderful box from design to manufacture to finish, I especially like how narrow the pins are on the outside edge of your dovetails, I guess the thickness of the saw blade!
-- Colin, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. "Every craftsman was once an amateur"
mrtrim
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1484 posts in 315 days
posted 207 days ago
awsome work alin ! you are a very talented and skilled craftsman . great job
-- if you aint the lead dog the scenery never changes
Andy
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296 posts in 343 days
posted 207 days ago
Very well done Alin.
I like the free form shape,nice flowing lines.And thanks for taking the time to walk us through the process.
-- " Stubborn tenacity substitutes for natural ability" ANDY
Paul
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589 posts in 527 days
posted 207 days ago
That’s very nice!
That’s not just any box!
-- Paul, Texas
shaun
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360 posts in 340 days
posted 207 days ago
Alin, that is an abosutley gorgeous box. The detail is outstanding.
-- I've cut that board three times and it's still too short!
Les Hastings
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397 posts in 208 days
posted 207 days ago
Well done Alin,,,,,fantastic workmanship and design!!!
-- Les, Wichita, Ks. (I'd rather be covered in saw dust!)
CharlieM1958
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3899 posts in 653 days
posted 207 days ago
Wonderful box, Alin. This is sure to be one of the top vote-getters!
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
miles125
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895 posts in 440 days
posted 207 days ago
This is a wonderful box Alin!
-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""
Alin Dobra
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311 posts in 322 days
posted 207 days ago
Thanks everybody.
You are too kind and this is a great community as always.
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
mot
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4835 posts in 471 days
posted 207 days ago
Alin, this is a terrific box. The detail of the picture and your description is really great. Very nice entry!
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
Douglas Bordner
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2428 posts in 498 days
posted 207 days ago
Superior craftsmanship and design. Even the trays are amazing. Bravo.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
CedarFreakCarl
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313 posts in 488 days
posted 207 days ago
That’s one fantastic box Alin! Nice presentation too!
-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC
SPalm
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698 posts in 316 days
posted 207 days ago
Wow. That is outstanding! Very nice, and an informative description. Thanks for sharing.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
MsDebbieP
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11437 posts in 595 days
posted 207 days ago
that is awesome!
Love the centre bowl and the design that the compartments make!
Gorgeous.
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
toyguy
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419 posts in 272 days
posted 207 days ago
Looks like a winner to me.
-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/
YorkshireStewart
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619 posts in 336 days
posted 207 days ago
Alin, your box is exquisite, from the originality of its design through to the execution. A great vehicle to display your cabinetmaking, carving, turning and finishing skills.
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business.
Grumpy
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4647 posts in 286 days
posted 207 days ago
Your skils are amazing Alin. Well done and good luck.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Dick Cain
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4738 posts in 734 days
posted 207 days ago
Exceptional craftsmanship, & design.
A terrific job on the Rose. Good Luck!!!
-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
Blake
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1868 posts in 309 days
posted 207 days ago
Congratulations, Alin. This is gorgeous. I was waiting to see what you would submit, I knew we could expect something great. Your hand-cut dovetails are exquisite, your design beautiful and unique, and your details are beautiful. Certainly a strong contender. Great job!
-- Dust collectors suck.
Alin Dobra
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311 posts in 322 days
posted 207 days ago
Thanks again for the nice comments.
This is the first time I’ve seen curved dovetails and I think I quite like how they turned up. What you cannot see in the picture is the fact that the look of the dovetails depends on the angle; as you move along the dovetails look like they are alive.
I’m glad you enjoy the box. Now I have to get back to work to finish my 2×4 entry.
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
Don
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2586 posts in 611 days
posted 207 days ago
Incredible, Alin. The skill employed to do this is absolutely tops. With this and some of the recent entries, I see min getting pushed further down the list. No worries, though, nothing like being stretched by the talend around here.
Best wishes!
-- CanuckDon "I just love small wooden boxes!" http://www.canterburybaptist.org/
DAN
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2810 posts in 417 days
posted 207 days ago
Alin
Your work on this piece is inspiring. Flawless, from my point of view.
I especially like the scroll sawn trays. Nice all around design.
Worthy of a page in FWW magazine.
Regards
DAN
-- ..... art for lifes sake
Alin Dobra
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311 posts in 322 days
posted 206 days ago
Don and Dan,
Thanks for the comments. I actually find it fascinating to see the wide variety of things various people like about the box. I have to admit building this box did push my skill and patience to the limit (and then some).
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
relic
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315 posts in 371 days
posted 206 days ago
Absolutely beautiful.
-- Andy Stark
Patrick Jaromin
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183 posts in 267 days
posted 204 days ago
I can’t decide if I’m more impressed with your design skills, your craftsmanship or your patience. I really appreciate the time you took describing the process. Thanks!
-- Patrick, Chicago, IL www.TenonAndSpline.com
Alin Dobra
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311 posts in 322 days
posted 204 days ago
Thanks relic and Patrick for the nice comments.
Patrick, woodworking is the only way I can relax (the TV drives me mad) so I learned to be patient. In real life I’m volcanic; if I do not slow down my head will explode someday. Woodworking slows me down and that is good.
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
Hawgnutz
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483 posts in 511 days
posted 191 days ago
Great box, Alin! Those curved dovetails are a piece of art!
Fantastic carving on the top. It hints at the ring funnel inside. Great artistic bent to a wonderful project!
God Bless,
Hawg
-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards
Alin Dobra
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311 posts in 322 days
posted 191 days ago
Thanks Hawg.
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
ryno101
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101 posts in 99 days
posted 60 days ago
Alin,
I just discovered your profile looking through some of your comments on Trifern’s work…
I have to say that I’m absolutely stunned. This box a culmination of so many techniques executed beautifully, I’m speechless.
Beautiful work. Keep it coming.
-- Ryno
Alin Dobra
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311 posts in 322 days
posted 60 days ago
Thanks Ryno,
Make sure you look at my other projects as well.
Alin
-- -- Alin Dobra, Gainesville, Florida
Michael Brailsford
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145 posts in 28 days
posted 21 days ago
spectacular. I love the dovetails on the rounded corners.
-- Michael A. Brailsford