A buddy of mine bought this for .50 cents at a swap and shop. We can’t figure out what it is? If anyone can help me out maybe tonight I can sleep.

thanks
Sarge

WHAT TYPE OF FINISH WOULD YOU USE?

HERE’S SOME MORE INFO. WE ARE IN KANSAS. THE TEMP GOES FROM 110 TO -10. THE DOORS WILL GET SUN. THEY ARE FOR EAST AND WEST EXPOSURES. I THINK THE BOSS WILL WANT A SIMI GLOSS OR FLAT. SHE IS WANTING TO MAKE THE WOOD SHOW IT’S STUFF. WE DO NOT HAVE SPRAY EQUIPMENT.

SEE I TOLD YOU IT WAS SIMPLE. LET ME THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR INPUT.

SARGE

Here it is the end of March and I’m done. Now I have taken about two months off. Just to keep from going nuts.

I have learned a few things from this labor of love. even though I did add up all the bf for the job it didn’t click that there was going to be 272 pieces to make these boxes. Plus six jigs. It is also important to pick woods that are user friendly. I used Curly Maple that loves to chip out in the planner and Purpleheart that the router eats for lunch. The real learning came after I was well into the project and I read the fine print. Do you know that a pair of small box hinges cost $25.00? I saw that and did the math and came up with plans b and c. “b” set the lid back so the back edge of the lid stops the rotation just past 90*. “c” was use $10.00 worth of chain. “C” won. That saved me about $230.00.

Long story short it took longer then four weeks to make the nine boxes. I will say they came out great and all the ladies love them. The husbands on the other hand, not so happy with me. Now all the wives want some new blig to put in the new boxes. Oh well better to have the ladies liking you then the guys I always say.

Here are a few picture for you viewing plesaure. I HOPE SIX PICTURE

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10869355@N07/

I DO KNOW THAT BY THE TIME MOST OF US GET TO THE FINISH STAGE OF THE PROJECT WE ARE TO EXCITED TO TAKE OUR TIME, SO THE FINISH SUFFERS.

WE ALL HAVE OUR FAVORITE TYPE OF FINISH. DO WE USE A SEALER OR NOT, DO WE BRUSH, WIPE OR SPRAY. MOST OF US DON’T HAVE ROOM FOR A SPRAY BOOTH SO THAT LEAVES BRUSH OR WIPE.

TRICKS FOR BRUSHING, PRE SOAK YOUR BRUSH IN THINNER BEFORE USE, IT HELPS WITH CLEAN UP AND KEEPS THE BRISTELS FOR SOAKING UP AND DRYING OUT TO FAST WITH THE FINISH. WHICH CAN LEAD TO STREAKING. UPSIDE OF BRUSHING IS YOU CAN GET THICKER AND FEWER COATS. WHEN LAYING DOWN COATS DON’T START AT THE EDGE. START ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY DOWN AND TAKING IT TO THE OTHER EDGE THEN BACK STROCK PICKING UP ANY PUDDELED FINISH TAKING IT TO THE FIRST EDGE.

WIPE ON GIVES YOU A LITTLE MORE CONTROL BY NOT PUTTING DOWN AS MUCH FINISH. THIS MAKES SANDING EASIER BUT YOU HAVE MORE COATS TO GET THE SAME MIL THICKNESS AS BRUSHING. TO ME THATS OK. I DISLIKE SANDING FINISH.

LETS SAY WE HAVE ALL OUR COATS ON AND WE ARE READY TO DO OUR FINAL SANDING / POLISHING. I READ SOMEWHERE THAT BY USING A HIGH GLOSS FINISH TO START WE CAN SAND OR POLISH TO THE GLOSS OF YOUR CHOOSING. THAT MADE SENSE TO ME. WITH POLYS I LIKE THE OLD WET DRY SANDING THROUGH 2000 THEN USING ROTTONSTONE AND OIL. THEN IF YOU WANT A NICE WAX TO FINISH IT UP.

BUT, THE KEY TO THE FINAL SANDING / POLISHING IS TO LET THE FINSH CURE. ABOUT 10 DAYS. CAN YOU STAND IT? THE CAN WILL TELL YOU HOW LONG YOU CAN WORK ON YOUR NEXT PROJECT BEFORE YOU CAN FINISH THIS ONE.

FYI, I LOVE TUNG OIL. I FIND IT SARGE PROOF.
LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS.
THANKS FOR SPENDING THE TIME WITH ME AND MY RAMBLING.