Project by Andy | posted 03-17-2019 02:41 PM | 2375 views | 9 times favorited | 25 comments | ![]() |
![]() |
This box was designed to hold a collection of pocket knives or other items..the dividers are easily removed.
My thoughts.
The butt joint construction is pretty straight forward, but assembly can be a pain. It’s easy to end up with a twisted, or out of square box. I find it much easier to assemble a miter cornered box.
Style-obviously this style is quite a departure from my ArtBoxes, but there are some advantages.
1- it works much better for storage, and the access is better too.
2- I get away from using std hinges, they have their place, and I do use them, but I don’t much care for them.
3- It allows for a simple handle, the lid overlaps the body just enough to fit a finger underneath, and it can run the entire length or just in a spot or two.
4- It also means I can use a live edge board for the lid. This gives me the opportunity to combine crisp edges with
natural ones…... and hopefully the contrast works.
5- This design is simpler, meaning its a little easier to make and requires much less sanding than the shaped
boxes….as many of you know!
6- It appeals to those who prefer a more handmade look. Of course it is totally subjective as to what a person likes
or dislikes, what they might use it for, etc…
7- I lose interest in making the same thing over and over, it just starts feeling like a job and my creative glands
just dry up and the end result..at least to me…looks flat. So that’s why I switch gears regularly and make other
things.
8- Combing woods is risky! It is much easier to use the same wood for everything and that’s perfectly fine. But
two or more types of wood or materials and not having it look like “lipstick on a pig” isn’t easy. I like the effect
and spend a great deal of time playing around with ideas until something clicks. Often the idea I started with
just didn’t work, sometimes its the color or grain. As a rule of thumb, I find that a fairly simple wood for the
body works best with a wild piece of wood for the lid. But as you can see for my previous boxes, that’s not
always the case. My combinations don’t always work, nor do they appeal to everyone…I don’t really care
whether they do or not, I am not offended, its just that I am doing it for me.
Materials
The body is some from a piece of wild looking Myrtlewood
The lid is from the stump of a Western-Big Leaf Maple
The dividers are Walnut
The pins are Wenge
The lining is Buffalo hide
The finish is spray lacquer, Deft semi-gloss
Let me know what you like or don’t, thanks for looking.
Andy
-- If I can do it, so can you.
25 comments so far
Tom Regnier
home | projects | blog
506 posts in 3603 days
#1 posted 03-17-2019 02:52 PM
Wow Andy!! Count me in as a like…sometimes departing from standards opens up so many more possibilities and this box is stunning.
Really enjoy your work.
stefang
home | projects | blog
17040 posts in 4390 days
#2 posted 03-17-2019 03:01 PM
Your boxes are always creative, interesting and original Andy and it would be hard to not like this one. That said, the only person to really worry about liking it is the one who will be using it. Great work as always!
-- Mike, an American living in Norway.
abie
home | projects | blog
922 posts in 4827 days
#3 posted 03-17-2019 03:05 PM
Another winner….
Oh… to have access to the Myrtle wood you use
It’s spectacular..
-- Bruce. a mind is like a book it is only useful when open.
gbear
home | projects | blog
540 posts in 5155 days
#4 posted 03-17-2019 03:17 PM
Another great box Andy…I think you definitely made this work. Plus as an added bonus you can play Rorschach testing on the inside of that lid!! What do you see…a skier, a horse or Elaine Benis dancing!!
-- gbear, Carmichael, CA
Douglas Bordner
home | projects | blog
4073 posts in 5120 days
#5 posted 03-17-2019 03:41 PM
Beautiful piece, Andy, and I appreciate your run-down on your choices.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over two decades.
shipwright
home | projects | blog
8704 posts in 3854 days
#6 posted 03-17-2019 04:41 PM
Nice Andy. Great shift from the art boxes. I certainly understand about getting bored with repetition. Your creativity will lead to lots more styles and lots more superb pieces I am sure.
For now, this one is just right.
-- Paul M ..............the early bird may get the worm but it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese! http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/
EugdOT
home | projects | blog
331 posts in 1611 days
#7 posted 03-17-2019 04:53 PM
Fantastic! Love it.
therealSteveN
home | projects | blog
7498 posts in 1630 days
#8 posted 03-17-2019 05:33 PM
To have such rough looking wood, made to behave like you have done here is art.
Nice box, thanks for sharing.
-- Think safe, be safe
ralbuck
home | projects | blog
6723 posts in 3322 days
#9 posted 03-17-2019 05:59 PM
GORGEOUS BOX!
-- Wood rescue is good for the environment and me! just rjR
Dennis Zongker
home | projects | blog
2852 posts in 4648 days
#10 posted 03-17-2019 07:22 PM
Beautiful box, Andy! It’s nice to see that your still making saw dust.
-- Dennis Zongker
leafherder
home | projects | blog
1978 posts in 3008 days
#11 posted 03-17-2019 11:26 PM
A Beautiful box, the colors of the wood blend well together and the style compliments the choice of materials. In my opinion this box is a rousing success. The fans of rigid neoclassicism and streamlined modernism might not be impressed but you can’t please everyone.
Thanks for sharing.
-- Leafherder
Paul
home | projects | blog
46 posts in 4659 days
#12 posted 03-17-2019 11:53 PM
Glacial job Andy. Very cool artic le.
-- Paul Allen
KimAccurso
home | projects | blog
511 posts in 1196 days
#13 posted 03-18-2019 01:46 AM
I’m happy to see another box of yours. And I appreciate everything you wrote. And as always, you find the most beautiful pieces of wood to work with and combine. I think both this design and your carved boxes are beautiful and have learned so much from you. Both construction methods appeal to different people, that’s what makes the world go-round. Gorgeous work, as always. And look forward to your next work of art!
ps- I’m with you on the hinges. I prefer the pin hinge and think the nice hinges are nice, yes, expensive if you want to do them right and a pain in the rear to get them right by hand! :)
-- Kim - imperfection is the pursuit of perfection
tomd
home | projects | blog
2222 posts in 4826 days
#14 posted 03-18-2019 03:17 AM
Great looking box. It seems to be a little of new Andy and old Andy combined. Is that real buffalo hide ?
-- Tom D
bushmaster
home | projects | blog
4124 posts in 3339 days
#15 posted 03-18-2019 03:32 AM
The wood for the top is something else. Great.
-- Brian - Hazelton, British Columbia
View all comments »
showing 1 through 15 of 25 comments
Have your say...