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I finished some Christmas gifts that I was making for a few friends. The plans came from the Woodworkers Guild of America site: http://www.wwgoa.com/article/make-a-bottle-opener-that-pops/

I made some previously to try out the plans using some black walnut & cherry. These were made using black walnut, ash, paduak, & cherry. There is also a plug of zebrawood that covers up a rare earth magnet which holds the bottle cap after its removed.

I learned a valuable lesson in regards to sanding paduak. The lesson is not to sand it when light colored woods are nearby. On one of the projects the ash has an orangish tint to it.

This was also the first project I've made that I placed my homemade logo burned in on it. It turned out pretty well.

Finish is spray Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane. It's got three coats. I'm moderately happy with he finish and how it turned out.

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Comments

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Nice job, fun quick projects are always rewarding.
 

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Great project, I like the diagonal orientation of the wood. These are one of my favorite things to make w/ scraps from cutting boards or bandsaw boxes. Strong work. Another thing you may consider in the future is rare earth magnet that holds the cap after it is opened.
 

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Thanks for the comments. I've been asked to make a bunch of these for a future craft sale, which I am still considering.

Another thing you may consider in the future is rare earth magnet that holds the cap after it is opened.

- phil7b7
Yup, I did that.

There is also a plug of zebrawood that covers up a rare earth magnet which holds the bottle cap after its removed.
 

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Different coloured wood straps make it real nice. I bought from e-bay some metal openers so it's my future project too.
 

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Different coloured wood straps make it real nice. I bought from e-bay some metal openers so it s my future project too.

- majuvla
Would you mind sending me a link to what you bought on eBay? I'm interested in other designs and methods. Thanks.
 

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GREAT job! Loved the angled stripes. Thanks for posting. Like the logo, too.
 

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These are pretty darn cool. I've made quite a few similar ones, but never thought about laminating different woods together. This is a great idea for those scraps that are long enough, but too thin for other things.

I shall unabashadly steal this idea for the next time I make some. :)

I have a suggestion for you if you're interested: After a few iterations of ones I've made I settled on Pan Head screws instead of the flat heads I used initially like you have (and I did at first). I found they make for a smoother look. The only pan heads I was able to find were metal screws instead of wood screws, but they worked just fine.

Also, although epoxy instead of the screw sounds good in theory, it was not strong enough when I tried it. :-(

Again, cool idea and they look great.
 

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Like the logo, too.

- pmayer
Thanks. It was fun and fairly easy to make.

I have a suggestion for you if you re interested: After a few iterations of ones I ve made I settled on Pan Head screws instead of the flat heads I used initially like you have (and I did at first). I found they make for a smoother look. The only pan heads I was able to find were metal screws instead of wood screws, but they worked just fine.

Also, although epoxy instead of the screw sounds good in theory, it was not strong enough when I tried it. :-(

- don1960
Thanks for the suggestions. I use an oversized (1/2" I think) drill bit to countersink the screw hole. The angled wood screws sets almost flush. I may try your idea and see how it goes.

And as far as epoxy, I used epoxy inn the screw hole and under the quarter. After a years worth of frequent use, my personal opener is holding up strong :)
 
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