| Project by matt garcia | posted 1787 days ago | 1876 views | 3 times favorited | 31 comments |  |
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I just commented on dmann’s ambrosia maple box, and felt compelled to share this project, and story with you guys!
After I sold my Strat and bought my tablesaw, I needed a plain straight forward project to soothe my woodworking itch. While I was working at a 18 wheeler manufacturer, this chasis came in on a long pallet. Well the short cross boards weren’t too impressive, but the long ones were! They had some curl, and mineral streaks to them. So on my break, I wen’t out to the chassis, and cut all the short boards from the long ones, and proceeded to take them to my ‘95 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. That car was big and long, but only had a ski opening in the rear seat. I carefully guided the boards through the hole, and managed not to tear up my leather seats. I brought them home, and sanded the fuzz off of them with my belt sander. Lo and behold they were maple! I showed them to my woodshop teacher, and he identified them as curly ambrosia maple. He enlightened me that the color change was due to different minerals in the water the tree grew next to. I thought they were gorgeous, and that along with my new tablesaw was what truly sparked my woodworking craze!! I still have some of this maple!!
Here are a few boxes I made with them. The first one has a padauk raised panel top. The second has a bloodwood raised panel top. The padauk topped box is my mom’s, the bloodwood is her sister’s. They are both finished in tung oil. The third picture are the “boards”!!
-- Matt Garcia Wannabe Period Furniture Maker, Houston TX
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31 comments so far
Bigbuck
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1347 posts in 1829 days
#1 posted 1787 days ago
Nice boxs, man I wish I could find some free wood that looked that good! Thanks for sharing
-- Glenn, New Mexico
trifern
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8131 posts in 1933 days
#2 posted 1787 days ago
Gorgeous wood.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
blackcherry
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2900 posts in 1988 days
#3 posted 1787 days ago
Now that keeping a eye out Matt…you never know what around the corner. My Dad taught me to always be on the look out…one mans junk is another man treasure. Score one for the woodworker…thanks for sharing Blkcherry
Damian Penney
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1139 posts in 2157 days
#4 posted 1787 days ago
Very nice indeed, the maple is stunning!
-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso
CharlieM1958
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14844 posts in 2384 days
#5 posted 1787 days ago
Wow, I can’t believe some idiot made pallets out of wood like that. Beautiful box! I can’t quite tell how the lid opens… can you fill me in?
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
Lee A. Jesberger
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6486 posts in 2145 days
#6 posted 1787 days ago
Hi Matt;
Fantastic work and the lumber… ooh the lumber.
It’s funny, just yesterday I was with a buddy at a sears store loading dock, waiting for his washing washing to be brought out.
While we were waiting I wandered over to the pile of pallets, looking for a similar gem.
No such luck this time, but in the past, ooh the lumber…
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
HokieMojo
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2085 posts in 1894 days
#7 posted 1787 days ago
are their little holes in the middle of the grey marks? I wonder if this is partially the work of the ambrosia beetle. Very nice.
Dominic Vanacora
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507 posts in 2035 days
#8 posted 1787 days ago
The story, the wood, the box, will live on for ever. I hope you signed your work so future generations will know who the master wood worker was.
Great Story. Even Greater Receiving This As A Gift.
-- Dominic, Trinity, Florida...Lets be safe out there.
teenagewoodworker
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2727 posts in 1934 days
#9 posted 1787 days ago
fantastic work! i love the maple and the bloodwood. they really go good together! thanks for the post
Blake
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3421 posts in 2040 days
#10 posted 1787 days ago
This is beautiful! This is why I love boxes so much. They are always a great way to show off some amazing wood. Really, really nice.
-- Happy woodworking! http://www.blakeweber.us
Napaman
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5010 posts in 2243 days
#11 posted 1787 days ago
wow…just gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!! I keep thinking I want to go around town and collect pallets…and if the wood is bad just make outdoor stuff or shop projects…But man—-that wood is beautiful Matt!!!
-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007
Ampeater
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364 posts in 1913 days
#12 posted 1787 days ago
WOW!! Beautiful boxes and workmanship. I also want to know how the box opens.
-- "A goal without a plan is a wish."
Bartee
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16 posts in 1910 days
#13 posted 1787 days ago
Very nice. I really like the finish.
When you say “tung oil” what exactly did you use ?
How any coats ?
TIA
Brad_Nailor
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2449 posts in 2123 days
#14 posted 1787 days ago
Beautiful! Thats some really nice work and beautiful wood. Funny how it was treated as throw away junk until you got a hold of it!
-- http://www.facebook.com/pages/DSO-Designs/297237806954248
Karson
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34367 posts in 2566 days
#15 posted 1787 days ago
Beautiful Ambrosia maple. I’ve got a hundred board ft or so but none of it has curls like that. just beautiful wood and some great looking boxes.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
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