| Project by gSpin | posted 114 days ago | 364 views | 0 times favorited | 5 comments | ![]() |
So this project came about while I was having lunch with a friend from work. It was early December and as we sat a conversation began about Christmas and gifts for our wives. My friend is a very skilled iron worker so I mentioned to him how I wanted to find my wife a steel pot rack, but wanted it to be something totally unique. He sat and pondered for a bit then said “you know, we should trade our trades”. He would help me design and build a pot rack for my wife and I would build him a hobby box for a good friend. After sitting for the next hour and bouncing ideas off each other the deal was struck. He gave me some rough sketches of what he had in mind and pretty much left the rest up to me. The only requirement he had was for a set of recessed holes that would hold a small vise in place.
I had been beating the idea around of buying a dovetail jig and after very little thought I made my way to Woodcraft to make claim. I landed up with the Porter Cable 4210 12” Jig. I have to admit the jig looked very intimidating when I first pulled it out of the box, but after pursuing the user guide I started to feel a little more at ease. It took me about 30 minutes to get the jig dialed in then I was off to the races. The joints came out amazing and made the box extremely solid.
The triple hinge setup was to say the least, super finicky, and seemed to take me forever to get them all tuned in unison. I hoped to add a locking latch and leather handle, but simply just ran out of time. I kid you not; I was applying the final finish at 2am on the day before Christmas eve. My friend was extremely happy with the final product.
The box is made of cherry and maple. The finish is multiple coats of Danish Oil that was hand rubbed to a satin finish using steel wool.
Oh, by the way, the pot rack he made was for the most part done very mickey mouse. really!
UPDATE: Oh boy, after reading my original post, I knew I had to clarify my witty comment about the pot rack. It totally sounds like I was throwing my friend under the bus. OK, so when I said a mickey mouse job, I mean it was really Mickey Mouse. My wife collects nostalgic Mickey Mouse and displays much of it in the kitchen, hence the uniqueness of the rack. We are both thrilled with the time and detail he put into it. Ah, I can sleep better tonight. Also, I thought I would share a picture.

-- www.gSpin.com
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5 comments so far
jeanmarc
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1753 posts in 253 days
posted 114 days ago
Really nice box
-- jeanmarc manosque france
thetimberkid
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1684 posts in 240 days
posted 114 days ago
Great job!
Thanks for the post
Callum
-- Look great, get your TTK merchandise now! http://www.printfection.com/thetimberkid/ Check out my site http://thetimberkid.blogspot.com/
Lee A. Jesberger
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2898 posts in 516 days
posted 113 days ago
Hi gSpin;
Sometimes the best made deals aren’t so good!
I have to wonder how Mickey Mouse got such a bad name?
Very nice job on the box, and just settle for knowing you were honorable about your end of the deal
and did gain some experience.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
brianinpa
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941 posts in 260 days
posted 113 days ago
Great job on the box. it’s a shame the same wasn’t done for you, but it is always said that it is the thought that counts…
-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.
davidtheboxmaker
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353 posts in 342 days
posted 112 days ago
We all spend time criticising our own work, forever seeking perfection.
Now you know how good yours work really is – a great deal better on what some other people think is ‘acceptable’.
I wouldn’t take on that triple hinge combination – out of my range – no wonder it was fiddly!