| Project by GaryK | posted 338 days ago | 2476 views | 13 times favorited | 79 comments | ![]() |
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When this latest contest was first announced I knew that I would be on vacation during the time I should have been working on my projects. So I did the next best thing and thought about what I would build. While I was in Austria I came across a picture of the Faberge coronation egg. It was made for the Czar of Russia in the late 1800’s and it was my inspiration for the design of the field in this tray.
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Here you can see the technique I used to get the grid pattern. A bunch of spaced out cuts in curly maple filled with peruvian walnut strips. Then after that was all sanded smooth I drilled a hole at every intersection which I later plugged with walnut made using a plug cutter. I could have used a dowel but I didn’t want end grain showing. You can also see the splines I used to strengthen the corners and the mahogany ring around the center medallion.
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I figured that since I would be walking with the tray, being as clumsy as I am, I would add cup holders in the corners. I got the sizes from copying the cup holder in my car. It will hold a bottle or can and most other size of glasses.
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Here you can see the handles. The curved parts are made of 3 pieces of wood with the inner part of mahogany at a right angle to the outer Walnut pieces to give it strength. The grip is made from Boxwood that extends through the curved parts also for strength.
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Lastly is a closeup of the center piece of the entire project. I wasted about 4 pieces of wood (on both sides) trying to figure out how to make this. It took quite a while to figure out what I was doing wrong and had to devise an entirely different method to make it.
If any of you are interested in how I did this, let me know. I will do a blog on it’s construction.
It has a walnut background with inlays of maple, then surrounded by mahogany. It was the first part I made for this project since I new that it would take the most time to figure out. The entire piece was then inlayed into the center of the tray.
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-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.






























79 comments so far
Russel
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1769 posts in 690 days
posted 338 days ago
Holy Cow !!! The level of detail is astounding. That’s a beautiful piece of work and your step by step description is great.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
sIKE
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968 posts in 505 days
posted 338 days ago
Sheeetfire that is a beaut, you know there is no granite involved this time right ;)
Heck I was up in Longview this past weekend, I should of thought to see if I could swing by and check out your shop, maybe next time I am up there!
-- //FC - Round Rock, TX - "Experience is what you get just after you need it"
Sac
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236 posts in 385 days
posted 338 days ago
Very Nice. I am interested in knowing the process.
-- Jerry, Set in the foothills of the Smokey's
Dennis Zongker
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774 posts in 343 days
posted 338 days ago
I really like the parquetry. Very nice work. you did a great job!!!
-- Dennis Zongker
Dominic Vanacora
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502 posts in 621 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary your not that old to have so much talent. Your designs are time comsuming and the end results are alway worth every second you spend thinking up on how to do it.
Your are the man.
-- Dominic, Trinity, Florida...Lets be safe out there.
HokieMojo
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867 posts in 479 days
posted 338 days ago
you will need coasters for your serving tray! nice work.
SPalm
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833 posts in 633 days
posted 338 days ago
Sheeeesh. That is fantastic.
I guess an indexing jig for a router on the center star inlay? I would love to see how you did it.
Very nice,
Steve
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
trifern
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7776 posts in 518 days
posted 338 days ago
Simply stunning…
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Yettiman
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144 posts in 489 days
posted 338 days ago
Sheeeeesh, says it all.
An unbelievable piece of work!
I feel like so humbled by your work.
The first time we meet, the beers on me.
-- Keep your tools sharp, your mind sharper and the coffee hot
Jeff
home | projects | blog
988 posts in 845 days
posted 338 days ago
Good grief Gary. Are you sure you’re not bionic or something?
Spectacular execution as usual. Thanks for not letting something like a vacation get in the way of your flourishing creativity!
-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN
teenagewoodworker
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2374 posts in 519 days
posted 338 days ago
we might as well just give up now ;)
jm82435
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426 posts in 493 days
posted 338 days ago
Fantastic as always.
-- A thing of beauty is a joy forever...
brunob
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1422 posts in 921 days
posted 338 days ago
Another wonderful ‘Gary Creation’.
-- Bruce from Central New York
Joe Lyddon
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293 posts in 804 days
posted 338 days ago
I’m interested in how you cut the pieces to be inlayed into the center of the tray.
I can see a simple circular jig where grooves are routed… but, I guess it’s a sequence thing because some go over other pieces, etc.
Looks like you cut a groove, filled it, rotated the jig, cut another groove, filled it, etc., etc. until done all the way around… with some routed grooves going through previously cut/filled sections.
Would like to see how you did it… fo real…
You sure do good work!!
Thank you…
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"
Woodhacker
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1151 posts in 475 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary! That is soooo sweeeeet! I hope your trip went well, but if not, at least you got an incredible design out of it…I love it.
A blog on this would be great, please do so.
Thanks for posting it.
(wowser)
-- Martin, Kansas
romansfivefive
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253 posts in 524 days
posted 338 days ago
Man, that is amazing. I want to be the first student at the Gary institute of amazing detail. I can’t even start to describe how impressed I am with the body of your work. What a gift.
-- www.robneves.com
Davesfunwoodworking
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259 posts in 626 days
posted 338 days ago
Wow!!!! Very nice looking tray. Great inlay work as well. You have this down!! What a amazing piece of art.
-- Davesfunwoodworking
relic
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338 posts in 688 days
posted 338 days ago
Your not really going to use that are you? Its beautiful, the inlay is just…WOW.
-- Andy Stark
brianinpa
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1325 posts in 474 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary, that is gorgeous!
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
John Fry
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75 posts in 452 days
posted 338 days ago
Fantastic work Gary,
I just love this kinda stuff. You are da Man!
-- John, Chisel and Bit Custom Crafted Furniture, www.chiselandbit.com
itsme_timd
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663 posts in 582 days
posted 338 days ago
OK, OK, can we vote Gary off the island??? He’s just too good at what he does!
Maybe Martin can start posting something like, ”We were going to have a contest but instead we’re just going to send Gary a new table saw to save time.”
Seriously… this is fantastic, what a true work of art!
-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA
Al Navas
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290 posts in 626 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary,
WWWW OOOO WWWW !!!!!!!!!!!!
Terrific, Gary. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-- Al Navas, St Joseph, MO, http://sandal-woodsblog.com
Karson
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21155 posts in 1152 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary. A fantastic work of art, using wood as your medium. A great job. I would also like to see the blog.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
SteveKorz
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2007 posts in 465 days
posted 338 days ago
Wow Gary, another terrific project! I’m interested in seeing the process of the inlay for the center.
It looks like you made an equal number of marks around the circumference of the circle, then put it on a jig with a center pin on the table saw (or you could use a sled). You could make the cut, then put in an inlay. Turn the circle to the next mark, then put in another inlay. (am I even in the ballpark… lol?)
I really like the center… very meticulous. Great job again!
—Steve
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
Lee A. Jesberger
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3495 posts in 731 days
posted 338 days ago
Hi Gary;
That’s nice.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
CharlieM1958
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6680 posts in 970 days
posted 338 days ago
Well, just when I was thinking how the tray contest was going to be close….. lots of nice projects…. you come along and blow everyone out of the water with a stunner like this! Of course I’ve come to expect as much… you’ve set an awfully high standard for you rself. But somehow you still manage to keep getting better. :-)
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
USCJeff
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864 posts in 819 days
posted 338 days ago
. . . And we have a winner. . . jaw dropping
-- Jeff, South Carolina
RobS
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1191 posts in 1058 days
posted 338 days ago
This should be in a museum not our contest. Fantastic work Gary!
-- Rob (A) Waxahachie,TX
bayouman
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85 posts in 417 days
posted 338 days ago
UNBELIEVABLE!
Douglas Bordner
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3316 posts in 815 days
posted 338 days ago
To quote The Continental: Wow! Wowie wow-wow-wow!
How do you find time to sleep!
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Quixote
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152 posts in 389 days
posted 338 days ago
I’m not sure if I’m inspired or intimidated by the quality of this piece.
Maybe a little of both.
Q
-- I don't make sawdust...I produce vast quantities of "Micro Mulch."
jeanmarc
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1750 posts in 468 days
posted 338 days ago
I really like the parquetry. Very nice work.Fantastic work Gary!
-- jeanmarc manosque france
Colin
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175 posts in 672 days
posted 338 days ago
Every now and then along comes a “gem”, this Faberge tray is it, I am truly humbled by your work and your attention to detail.
-- Colin, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. "Every craftsman was once an amateur"
MsDebbieP
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13439 posts in 912 days
posted 338 days ago
fantastic job!
I like the statement made above – that you raise the bar for the rest of us. And that’s a good thing!
Brilliant as always. I like the cup holders on the side. Carrying beverages on a tray is scary. This will help.
I didn’t have time to make a tray for this but I did have one from a long time ago – so now I’m going to enter it. Why? Because you have challenged me to go beyond my abilities and my tray will remind me that I have a long way to go :)
Thank you
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
cobbler
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211 posts in 542 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary, Man what a nice piece. The thought and planning that went into
this tray must have been great.
The serving tray has gone to a new dimension.
Thanks for posting.
-- ''Carry on my wayward son''
Texasgaloot
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467 posts in 452 days
posted 338 days ago
Worthy of the Czar, to be sure!
-- There's no tool like an old tool...
Scott Bryan
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16273 posts in 573 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary,
In Kentucky vernacular: “You dun good”.
I know you were on vacation but was wondering if you were busy with something else besides being here. Now I can see what was taking up time (besides playing with your daughter, of course).
Well done. You are an inspiration to us all.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Bob #2
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2663 posts in 773 days
posted 338 days ago
Way too much talent! <g>
Good on you Gary!
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Alan Young
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56 posts in 472 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary,
Beautiful design.
Some questions-The maple appears to be a veneer. Yes? How are the cup holder attached?
I’d enjoy a blog about the construction process…
Great thought and imagination.
Alan
DAN
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5391 posts in 734 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary
Another awesome accomplishment ! Beautiful work with great precision and detail
Regards
DAN
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
rtb
home | projects | blog
535 posts in 464 days
posted 338 days ago
Well mentor you’ve done it again,(as expected). I doubt that I can find words to describe this tray that have not already been used and while I will never live long enough to master the skills needed to this type of detail I would love to have you blog this. Thank you for sharing this with us.
-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "
ChicoWoodnut
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884 posts in 567 days
posted 338 days ago
Off the wall again. Martin should just make a bunch of pre-postmarked boxes for your future schwag.
-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net
Jimthecarver
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390 posts in 537 days
posted 338 days ago
And the winner is Gary!....lol…Awesome work Gary!
-- Can't never could do anything, to try is to advance.
Kevin
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294 posts in 709 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary, I must say, you do tend to impress us each time you let us into your world.
Great job and good luck to you and to all the trays.
I would also love to see a blog and maybe a Lumberjock by Lumberjock shop tour in which you spend a couple years living with us teaching us the craft. Just a thought. Might take you awhile, but boy it’d be fun.
-- Kevin, Wichita, Kansas
dennis mitchell
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3704 posts in 1066 days
posted 338 days ago
I think if the contest was to build a toothpick you would find a way to turn it into a work of art.
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
stanley2
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263 posts in 547 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary, your mind must work in mysterious ways which coupled with your excellent skills produce such spectacular results. You are gifted.
-- Phil in British Columbia
TedM
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1737 posts in 484 days
posted 338 days ago
Awe…..........some!
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
GaryK
home | projects | blog
9429 posts in 740 days
posted 338 days ago
Thanks everyone for your very kind comments. I really means something coming from my fellow woodworkers.
I will start working on a blog on how I did the center medallion. Steve Korz is the closest to describing how I did it.
Thanks again.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
motthunter
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2075 posts in 550 days
posted 338 days ago
Gary, ever consider writing a book on inlay technique?
-- making sawdust....
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
13439 posts in 912 days
posted 338 days ago
oh I like the idea of a world tour. Put me on the list!!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Chardt
home | projects | blog
136 posts in 353 days
posted 338 days ago
Keep practicing man, you’ll get there.
Sheesh.
Thats so far beyond what I’m capable of that I have a hard time even visualizing how it was done.
-- When my wife ask's what I have to show for my wood working hobby, I just show her the splinters.
Grumpy
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12048 posts in 602 days
posted 337 days ago
Speechless Gary, speechless.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Marco Cecala
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70 posts in 785 days
posted 337 days ago
Tough to add anything to the comments about your great work. Thanks for sharing it with us. Excuse me, I need to go to the shop and hide any trace of inlay materials and tell everyone I don’t do work like that.
Waiting to see the blog on the center insert.
Dusty56
home | projects | blog
2769 posts in 439 days
posted 337 days ago
Yet another Masterpiece created : ) Will this be for sale , or will you be using it poolside at home ? Looking forward to the blog and a lot more pictures please : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belongs to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
Dick, & Barb Cain
home | projects | blog
6381 posts in 1051 days
posted 337 days ago
Just beautiful Gary!
When do you sleep?
You must have some fantastic dreams when you do sleep.
-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1
ND2ELK
home | projects | blog
5053 posts in 525 days
posted 337 days ago
What can’t you do with a piece of wood.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
YorkshireStewart
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753 posts in 653 days
posted 336 days ago
Gary, I’ve only just caught up with this. What an amazing piece of work. And those cup-holders are sheer genius! Wonderful.
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems
darryl
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1255 posts in 1078 days
posted 336 days ago
wow Gary, that is amazing!
your work is always inspiring. thanks for pushing the envelope.
-- ~ www.darrylmasterson.com ~ www.darrylmasterson.etsy.com ~ www.woodworkingdungeon.blogspot.com ~
Eric
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785 posts in 535 days
posted 335 days ago
Not bad, nice try.
;^)
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
jcees
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530 posts in 550 days
posted 335 days ago
Wicked cool tea toter, mon ami. Beautiful as always too. Bravisimo!
always,
J.C.
-- "Imagination is more important than knowledge" -- Albert Einstein
DAN
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5391 posts in 734 days
posted 335 days ago
another special one
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
PineMan
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52 posts in 345 days
posted 334 days ago
Fantastic job! Looks great!
-- I never started a project I couldn't screw up.
Damian Penney
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930 posts in 743 days
posted 334 days ago
Not bad I suppose :)
-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso
Grumpy
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12048 posts in 602 days
posted 333 days ago
Good luck in the contest Gary.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
manilaboy
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91 posts in 686 days
posted 333 days ago
I am sorry Grumpy. With this much talent who needs luck?
-- "Real jocks do it on a bench"
Michael Brailsford
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210 posts in 345 days
posted 333 days ago
Awesome. That is a skill I want to learn.
-- Michael A. Brailsford
YorkshireStewart
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753 posts in 653 days
posted 330 days ago
Sincere congratulations Gary. Well deserved!
-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems
spaids
home | projects | blog
371 posts in 445 days
posted 330 days ago
Holy Cow Gary! You can just pick what contest you want to win and simply take the prizes can’t you? It’s like you’re just toying with us. You should do a blog featuring all the cool stuff you have won so far. And then lumber jocks should ban you from entering contests or maybe set up a class system or something because I’m no where near your weight class dude! All kidding aside your projects are freakin awesome man. You are at a whole other level.
-- Wipe the blood stains from your blade before coming in.
robbi
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158 posts in 706 days
posted 330 days ago
AMAZING!!!
-- robbi-Yadahooty!
rikkor
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11345 posts in 626 days
posted 330 days ago
Congratulations Gary. The tray exceeds your extremely high standard.
CharlieK
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19 posts in 544 days
posted 329 days ago
Gary, you are an inspiration! Great work!
Rob Drown
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199 posts in 584 days
posted 328 days ago
WOW!
Now that is, “setting the bar”. And it even has cup holders!!
-- Days in the shop don't count toward the total.
Grumpy
home | projects | blog
12048 posts in 602 days
posted 326 days ago
Congratulations Gary. A well deserved win.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
woodyone
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235 posts in 342 days
posted 277 days ago
Amazing eye for detail, Well done.
Woody.
-- Woody, UK
AaronSmith
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5 posts in 227 days
posted 227 days ago
Wow. I just registered for this site so I could get some ideas for a serving tray for my wife; I must say that this goes beyond anything I ever would have imagined. That is seriously a museum-quality piece.
-- Measure once, curse twice.
Treverk
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20 posts in 231 days
posted 227 days ago
I have been completely put in my place…
-- Matt, Minneapolis, www.treverkdesign.com
majeagle1
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294 posts in 247 days
posted 221 days ago
After all that has been said…............ I guess all I can say is:
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeee U T Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuulllll !!!!!!! and
Wow, Wow, and Triple WOW !!!
You do amazing work, when I see projects like this it is just awe inspireing…........
-- Gene, Majestic Eagle Woodworks, http://majesticeagleww.etsy.com/, http://www.flickr.com/photos/majesticeagle/
Lloyd Davies
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27 posts in 77 days
posted 56 days ago
Gary,
Very nice. Did you ever complete that blog on how you did the centerpiece? I’d be interested in reading it.
Lloyd
GaryK
home | projects | blog
9429 posts in 740 days
posted 56 days ago
Lloyd – Sorry, no. I got too busy with a new baby. One of these days.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.