Project by BritBoxmaker | posted 12-07-2011 04:27 PM | 7611 views | 9 times favorited | 38 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
A blast from the (recent) past. Back in 2000/01, when I was out of work and thought there might be a bit of money to be made in it, I made this writing slope. Under the Rosewood and Bird’s Eye Maple veneer beats a heart of solid MDF (its an excellent veneer substrate, being flat and stable). The only solid wood on it is in the small Ebony ‘handles’ for the pen compartment and hideaway box. Perhaps the Louis cube pattern on the lid does look a bit busy, with the Rosewood grain and all. Nowadays there are two little ink pots in the side wells. The pictures are contemporary, made with a 1Mp camera, thats why they’re grainy.
Size – 350mm x 253mm x 126mm (writing surface sized for A4 or Foolscap)
Materials – MDF, Rosewood and Bird’s Eye Maple veneer, Ebony, Sheepskin Leather (Skiver), Brass furniture.
Glue – PVA
Finish – Wax over Sanding Sealer
Construction time – Months!
I never sold it. Who writes these days anyway? I still get it out to look at occasionally, to remember old times.
More pic’s
Just after I’d made the box separation cut. Always a tricky thing.
On the bench during construction. Same bench (improved, a little, over the years), previous house.
The grid I used to align the Louis Cube pattern
My workshop, back then.
-- Martyn -- Boxologist, Pattern Juggler and Candyman of the visually challenging.
38 comments so far
patron
home | projects | blog
13600 posts in 3305 days
#1 posted 12-07-2011 04:31 PM
beautiful box martyn
ya done good
-- david - only thru kindness can this world be whole . If we don't succeed we run the risk of failure. Dan Quayle
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
117062 posts in 3541 days
#2 posted 12-07-2011 04:34 PM
Very nice work Martyn great workmanship as usual.
-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos wood crafting & woodworking classes
RogerBean
home | projects | blog
1605 posts in 2918 days
#3 posted 12-07-2011 04:36 PM
New or old, your projects never fail to surprise and delight.
Roger
-- "Everybody makes mistakes. A craftsman always fixes them." (Monty Kennedy, "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks", 1952)
PurpLev
home | projects | blog
8534 posts in 3613 days
#4 posted 12-07-2011 04:38 PM
beautiful work Martyn, but I personally feel the maple is a tad bit too light for the rosewood. looks great nontheless
-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.
mauibob
home | projects | blog
235 posts in 3032 days
#5 posted 12-07-2011 04:46 PM
Very nicely done, Martyn. A beautiful rendition of a classic 19th century design. I love the Louis cubes and the high contrast with the birdseye maple. Almost a bit Scandinavian in feeling. (Birdseye seems a favorite in some 18th century items we have from Sweden.)
I’m not sure where I’d be without MDF! Great stuff for veneers and much less movement than Baltic birch ply.
Love seeing your designs, Martyn. Thanks!
Bob
-- Bob, Potomac, MD
gul
home | projects | blog
400 posts in 2926 days
#6 posted 12-07-2011 04:48 PM
It’s beautiful.
SPalm
home | projects | blog
5317 posts in 3846 days
#7 posted 12-07-2011 04:56 PM
Sweet.
Excellent workmanship. Just truly fine.
Maybe used as an iPad holder?
Steve
-- -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Woodwrecker
home | projects | blog
4137 posts in 3540 days
#8 posted 12-07-2011 05:13 PM
Another winner Martyn.
Beautiful work !
-- Eric, central Florida / Utor praemia operibus duris
Daiku
home | projects | blog
232 posts in 2872 days
#9 posted 12-07-2011 05:16 PM
Martyn
Beautiful box! Unfortunately you’re probably right in that very few people write now days, but I have a feeling if you were to put this box on the market, it would be snatched up in minutes.
Thanks for posting,
-- Cal Noguchi - EZdado.com
shipwright
home | projects | blog
7965 posts in 2762 days
#10 posted 12-07-2011 05:19 PM
Yo do have a well chosen forum name don’t you.
Even as a child I’ll bet you were doing cool things like this.
I like it.
Good one Martyn
-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fibreglass trees. http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
michelletwo
home | projects | blog
2727 posts in 2980 days
#11 posted 12-07-2011 05:26 PM
i can’t imagine NOT using this..even if I just designed turnings or doodled on it to get inspiration. It’s too well crafted to not use it to the fullest.
FloridaArt
home | projects | blog
846 posts in 3262 days
#12 posted 12-07-2011 05:31 PM
This is a nice piece. Would be perfect for writing out greeting cards. Only improvement I can offer would be to somehow reverse the lock so the forearm you are writing with does not get pinched by those prongs sticking up.
-- Art | Bradenton, Florida
Sheila Landry (scrollgirl)
home | projects | blog
9222 posts in 2884 days
#13 posted 12-07-2011 05:42 PM
This is simply beautiful! I still write on occasion. I have a couple of Waterman calligraphy pens and now the ones that Keith has made me. I don’t write by hand anywhere near as often as I would like to, but this would certainly inspire me. I hope you have it in a place where you can see it and enjoy it. It is just wonderful!
Sheila :)
-- Designer/Artist/Teacher. Owner of Sheila Landry Designs (http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com) Scroll saw, wood working and painting patterns and surfaces. "Knowledge is Power"
BarbS
home | projects | blog
2434 posts in 4050 days
#14 posted 12-07-2011 05:43 PM
You really did a nice job on that, Martyn. Your attention to fine detail showed even back then. Beautiful box.
-- http://barbsid.blogspot.com/
Ken90712
home | projects | blog
17553 posts in 3153 days
#15 posted 12-07-2011 06:05 PM
Another master piece, always great to look at your work. Well done.
-- Ken, "Everyday above ground is a good day!"
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 38 comments
Have your say...