Project by BrentB | posted 06-02-2016 06:31 PM | 2866 views | 4 times favorited | 17 comments | ![]() |
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This is a simple Oak box trimmed and accented with Walnut. It’s 6×4x3 and finished with Shellac using the French Polishing technique. The inside is lined with Aromatic Cedar, which is removable. I completed it last week.
Why the name ‘Mitosis Box’ you ask? Do you remember high school Biology class? For me it was Mr. McDowell. Anyway, if you recall I bet you had to learn about cell division. You probably had to memorize each phase of cell division. If you look closely at the grain you’ll see an example of Mitosis. Below is an illustration.
By the way, you should know my undergrad degree is in Biology. Anyway, this particular piece of Oak was sitting on the firewood stack at my cabin between Breckenridge and Graham Texas. I noticed it had a funny shaped ‘bump’ so I tossed in the back of the truck and took it home. When I got home I put it in my re-saw sled and started to peel back the layers. I can’t take credit for the Re-Saw Sled. My brother made it for me. I need to get him to become a member of LJ.
As I sliced deeper into the wood I started noticing something that was very familiar to me. Each slice looked more and more like the various phases of cell division. I knew I had a great idea for a box so I didn’t waste any time getting started.
I constructed the box to illustrate Metaphase or Anaphase on the front and back of the box. Each side of the box represents Cytokinesis as the cell has divided into two daughter cells with cell division complete.
Sorry about the Biology references…it’s just how my brain works sometimes. Most of all I love looking for hidden beauty inside the rough exterior of wood. It’s amazing what you can find inside the most ordinary looking piece of wood. To me it’s like treasure hunting. When I find something incredible I have to make something out of it to preserve its beauty. I have a tendency to give away everything I make including this box. I already have someone in mind that I know will appreciate the concept. The only things I keep are photos and a few raw unusual pieces I display on my desk.
-- Brent, Johnson County Texas......Resawing is like a box of chocolates, ya never know what you're gonna get.
17 comments so far
deon
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2522 posts in 4478 days
#1 posted 06-02-2016 07:02 PM
Great work! Sometimes oak has an interesting grain.
-- Dreaming patterns
Andy
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#2 posted 06-02-2016 10:48 PM
I loved biology, and any other science. That is pretty cool how the cells are dividing then there seperate on each side. Very interesting piece and very beautiful. Well done.
-- Andy Smith https://www.etsy.com/shop/woodtooling/
BrentB
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144 posts in 2199 days
#3 posted 06-02-2016 10:50 PM
Once again….Thanks Andy!!
-- Brent, Johnson County Texas......Resawing is like a box of chocolates, ya never know what you're gonna get.
recycle1943
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7002 posts in 3075 days
#4 posted 06-02-2016 11:14 PM
In some venues that wood be scrap – fortunately for our eyes and viewing pleasure this is not one of those venues.
Just an outstanding job, start to finish – many many kudos and why this is not in the top 3 is a mystery to me
-- Dick, Malvern Ohio - my biggest fear is that when I die, my wife sells my toys for what I told her I paid for them
dalepage
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390 posts in 2293 days
#5 posted 06-02-2016 11:20 PM
Great rescue! I found some spalted sycamore lying in a neighbor’s yard and talked him out of some of it.
Your box is great. I really appreciate the way you took advantage of the grain.
-- Dale
poospleasures
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868 posts in 3936 days
#6 posted 06-02-2016 11:49 PM
Wonderful piece. Love the story. I didn,t do well in school. All I wanted was woodshop.
-- I,ve had amnesia for as long as I can remember. Vernon
david38
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3518 posts in 3796 days
#7 posted 06-03-2016 12:30 AM
nice box
Ivan
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17282 posts in 4320 days
#8 posted 06-03-2016 03:42 AM
Those wood imperfections make this box even more beautiful.
-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted
oldnovice
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7790 posts in 4820 days
#9 posted 06-03-2016 05:17 AM
Beautiful choice of name for the box and, a beautifully built too!
I like the build sequence too.
-- "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." -- Aldous Huxley
robscastle
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8542 posts in 3656 days
#10 posted 06-03-2016 10:46 AM
Sorry did not do well in bileology (sic) too busy trying to set fire to fellow students with the bunsen burner.
So from a non educated point of view I would say the Mitosis (and I do understandabout cell division) looks more like a “Finding Nemo”
An excellent job from tossing it in the back of the truck to the final post.
It would look good sitting in the Lab on the CSI set too!!
-- Regards Rob
ravensrock
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518 posts in 3095 days
#11 posted 06-03-2016 01:16 PM
Just think that could have ended up in the fire! Great save and cool box!
-- Dave, York, PA, Wildside Woodworking
BrentB
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144 posts in 2199 days
#12 posted 06-03-2016 02:53 PM
I surely appreciate all the kind comments from everyone!
-- Brent, Johnson County Texas......Resawing is like a box of chocolates, ya never know what you're gonna get.
drewpy
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1098 posts in 2809 days
#13 posted 06-03-2016 03:17 PM
You and the log created a beautiful box. Great work on this.
-- Drew -- "The greatest wealth is health".
BrentB
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144 posts in 2199 days
#14 posted 06-03-2016 03:22 PM
Thanks Drew. I like your ‘Cardboard Concept to Wooden Box Reality’ project box. I haven’t seen a box with such a lid. I need to try that!!
-- Brent, Johnson County Texas......Resawing is like a box of chocolates, ya never know what you're gonna get.
helluvawreck
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32122 posts in 4319 days
#15 posted 06-03-2016 06:06 PM
This box turned out so nicely and your presentation of it is excellent.
helluvawreck aka Charles
http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
-- helluvawreck aka Charles, http://woodworkingexpo.wordpress.com
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