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Pictured: A round jewelry box made from the log of a chinaberry tree, this box offers a lift out tray along with a hidden compartment accessible by simply pushing down on one side of the false bottom door raising the other side then lifting it out. I've noticed Chinaberry takes on different colors when it comes to a bit of spalting, notice the red streak? The last picture shows the false bottom door removed.

Measurements are 5 1/2" across and 6" high, it is finished in a single coat of tung oil and three coats of my own mix wipe on poly and a final coat of paste wax.

Note: It is imperative that you use a special jig that secures the log tight and use caution when cutting across a round log as by doing it without securing the log it will turn in your hand causing a bad outcome and or a loss of a finger.

Chinaberry Tree Here is a link to the characteristics and the wood data base of this tree. The berries are poisonous to humans and animals, it can cause skin irritation and headaches when working with it.

I do recall a mild headache at one point but it never dawned on me that it was from the chinaberry, that could have just been a coincidence as well. It appears it's in the hard wood family but when working it I noticed that it was very sparse and easy to work.

http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/chinaberry/

Thanks for looking and comments are always enjoyed.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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Love the way you do these. I will have to try this when I get some "spare" time.
 

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8 Posts
Nice work! Maybe the next copy was that! Wich measures be?
 

· In Loving Memory
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229 Posts
I like them! great work!
 

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Randy, as always your work progresses and continues to improve. First the box concept, then the lift out, now the hidden compartment. Best of luck on your sales this week. Keep boxing and keep posting.
 

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Thanks all,

Big Al, I think I'm going to yet try even something else new on these, instead of cutting the bottom off and gluing it back on, I thought I might try recessing it only it would be held in place with a glue joint only, nothing else not sure about that, it I cut it with a wide glue area say 1/2" that might work, epoxy would prob be a good backer.
 

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Very nice. You really do great work on these.

I remember as a kid, we would climb chinaberry trees and collect pockets full of the hard berrys to use in slingshots. That was many moons ago. Question is, what family of wood is the chinaberry tree in and is it hardwood or softwood? I haven't seen a chinaberry tree since I left southeast Texas, along the gulf coast.
 

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Hi Thelt

I answered your question, I posted a write up and link in the original post above.
 

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Thanks for the info, Blackie. I spent many a time sitting up in a chinaberry tree as a kid.
 

· In Loving Memory
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196 Posts
Nice box. I see I'm not the only one using chinaberry. I have made a few bowls from it now drying.
 

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Nice one Randy. I have found a big color difference in China Berry depending on the part of the tree it comes from, too!........Jim
 

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Very interesting looking grain on that.
 
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