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This is the one that didn't get completed prior to my grandmother's death.

It's a gift for mom, now-something for her office desktop, and … to remind her of a woman that my whole family deeply loved.

Though my heart was certainly in it, I really didn't do my best work.

The finger joints are imperfect, and … the darned handle … is a skosh off of parallel.

D'OH !

Ah, well. "The touch of the artist," I figure-right ? ;-)

The Padauk and Soft Maple (if I remember correctly. Please let me know if I have that wrong) are all book matched, and finished with three coats of Watco Danish Oil, in "natural," followed by a couple of coats of citrus paste wax (love the smell).

My most significant learning on this project: after you've practiced your finger joints in scrap lumber, and gotten it right … do a FEW MORE practice joints, in scrap, and THEN move on to the "expensive" and final lumber ;-)

Thanks to Sharon for telling me that long-grain to long-grain would glue up just fine. Cleaner. Simpler. Worked great.

Thanks, all.

Gallery

Comments

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Oh, it looks great! I like the contrast in the wood colors, and the little "base" is a nice touch.
 

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2,185 Posts
Nice box, and wonderful story.
I am sure it will be loved by the (new) owner.

Steve
 

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349 Posts
Nice job.

Jerry
 

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Very nice Neil!

It looks great, the artist himself, is his worst critic.
 

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I love padauk. Great looking box.

I'm sorry about your Grandma.
 

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Looks great, Neil.
Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
The wood combo is great!
 

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what a beautiful box…you did a great job..for a guy who cant see to good, you got it right..heck that handle could have been at a 45 degree angle…and it still would look good…...ya dont have any cookies hiding there do ya…lol…grizz
 

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came out real nice Neil! the top is awesome
 

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looks great , neil .

glad you are back at it again ,

hope things are good with you ,
and the family .

and your vision is improving !
 

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Thanks for sharing your story with us. Makes me feel better about some of my work but I don't see any mistakes.

Great job
 

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258 Posts
Thats a really nice box Neil. Good choice of woods.
 

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Very, very beautiful. And a touching story too. I love "the touch of the artist". It makes things very special.

Sheila
 

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Very nice looking box, beautiful finish!
 

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Thanks for the kind words, all.

As to the cookies … well … what do you think FUELED this project :)

[ Now, why am I picturing Grizz with a Rockler bench cookie in his mouth ? ;-) ]

PS: I'm no fool. I didn't photograph the other sides of the box :-D
 

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Sorry for your family's loss. Love that padauk and maple combination. It is a beautiful box with a beautiful "artist touch" that makes it even more special.

Thanks for sharing the story behind it as well. I've been meaning to make a box for my aunt who is the last surviving member of my parents' generation. I think I will be getting busy on it soon.
 

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Great job Neil, those eyes are not stopping you in the work shop. Now, with any luck, a litttle time in the workshop for me this weekend. The computer is pretty much set up, although I will be fussing with it for the next 6 months. So I guess I don't have any excuses. Two weekends on call last month kinda did in what time I normally would have for woodworking.

I have a cover I made for a sharpener in the kitchen, before I got interested in the hobby. I see the flaws, but in actuality, I never notice them day to day, and it functions great. I will have to post it for fun. It is a pragmatic project.

..........so…......love the box….....and love the fact you are able to do it…......

Jim
 

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Mary Anne wrote:

"Thanks for sharing the story behind it as well. I've been meaning to make a box for my aunt who is the last surviving member of my parents' generation. I think I will be getting busy on it soon."

What a great idea.

From one of my favorite songs ….

"Such a long, long time to be gone
And a short time to be there."

Here's to your aunt, then :)
 

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That's a nice combo of wood. Life is far too short.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today" -James Dean
I live by this simple statement of James Dean
 
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