Alexis' handgun box

Looks great to me. I’d say you did a good job, especially if you did the routing freehand.

-- Ben from IL

Bake,

Nice color combination. It will look even better as the Padauk ages and deepens in color. The box is well designed and looks great.

I use the same finish. Sounds like maybe you were putting it on a bit too thickly or it was a rainy or cold day. You might also have been using an old can of finish. It has a fairly short shelf life once you open the can. Also, don’t pour unused finish back into the can.

You might consider a felt or cloth lining over your cut-out surface. It will work for everything except the individual bullets and those will just need to be set into a block and then inset into a felt-lined hole. Oversize your cutouts and just let the liner sort of wrinkle into place, wrap it around the edges of the cutout board, staple the back or edges, trim the excess, and install a “frame” or rim around the inside to neaten the look. Include finger divots on each side of the balance point of the gun to make it easier to grab and remove the gun itself.

Keep boxing and keep posting. You are doing very nice work. Thanks for sharing.

-- Big Al in IN

Very finely done! I like the color combi.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Well done… I’ve run into the problem of a oil finish—BLO or Tung, similar, not drying as I think it should. Seems to me it was weather and or freshness of the finish. I have my best luck sticking with tung oil, rubbing it out with 0000 steel wool, and doing another, rubbing it out, then another. First coat takes good 24 hours plus to dry, and subsequent coats overnight, or less.

-- Al H. - small shop, small projects...

Beautiful box!! Love the color combo and the best part if that you got it from your work, one of my favorite stores next to WoodCraft!! I have had problems with some finish drying as well and always have problems deciding why. I am sure that the young Lady will treasure her gun as well as the box forever!

P.S. I don’t see anything wrong with this project either…

Thanks for sharing

-- Chuck Emery, Michigan,

Nice work!! I have never tried Padauk, but it looks like it came out quite nicely.

I had great results recently from using a water based GF topcoat poly in semi gloss. Dries much faster than oil base, generally in about 2 hours.

I like the way that it goes on thin. Several coats can go on in a day.

Very well done : )

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

Very nice box for a VERY nice heirloom gun. The paduk/maple was an excellent combination. If you dilute your poly with mineral spirits, it will dry faster. I also put mine in front of a big shop fan which seems to help speed the curing process. Don’t put it out in the hot sun and don’t ask how I know this!

-- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm

Very nice build and design. Lovely box and revolver.

-- Use it up, Wear it out --------------- Make it do, Or do without!

Congratulation for DT3. Nice box.

-- Sam Shakouri / CREATING WONDERS WITH WOOD.....Sydney,Australia....

Looks great to me.

The box and the pistol.

-- Shameless - Winner of two Stumpy Nubs Awards

Gee Whiz, I keep my 22 Johnny Rifle in a “plastic” case, with a “master” lock.

It is the law in the “People’s Republic of Kaliforni-ya” spoken with an Austrian Accent’.

“I’ll be back….with Maria Shiver”.....opps…

Nice job. Wow you actually did the cutout freehand! I’m impressed, can’t imagine what it would look like if I tried doing that. Cool gun too, 120 years old, it deserves a nice classy presentation box!

-- Jim in Langley BC Canada --- www.sollows.ca

Nice looking case. Freehand routing? I have a difficult time with a fence.
I recommend it be locked securely in a heavy locker or safe. A pistol like that might be valualbe. Has your employee checked into the collector’s value?

-- Regret- the feeling you get just after you do something really stupid.

Very Nice Project! Thanks for Posting!

Rick

-- ENJOY YOURSELVES GUYS!!!