| Project by BenM | posted 12-21-2019 09:29 PM | 1441 views | 1 time favorited | 7 comments |  |
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Here is a keepsake box I just finished for a friend. Sure it was supposed to be for his birthday 3 weeks ago, but we’ll say it turned into an early Christmas present. The box is made of ambrosia maple with 1/8” walnut lid and corner splines, finished with Walrus Oil. I was originally going to use standard maple but fell in love with the Ambrosia coloring when I saw it. I also liked the symbolism of the beautiful streaks coming from beetle attack, as my friend has grown through plenty of hardship this year.
This project had a lot of firsts for me and definitely stretched my skills as a newer woodworker (and gave me opportunities to get more comfortable with some of my tools I haven’t used as much). It has some flaws born out of ignorance and some mistakes born out of rushing to get it done, but I learned a lot and am still very pleased with the finished project.
-- -Ben, Fullerton, CA " It is not from ourselves that we learn to be better than we are." -Wendell Berry
7 comments so far
Cricket
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2815 posts in 3053 days
#1 posted 12-21-2019 09:29 PM
It turned out really nice. I like it!
-- LumberJocks.com Community Manager
doubleDD
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#2 posted 12-21-2019 10:34 PM
It’s a good looking box Ben. great choice with the ambrosia. As long as you love doing it is all that counts.
-- Dave, Downers Grove, Il. -------- When you run out of ideas, start building your dreams.
unclearthur
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#3 posted 12-22-2019 05:44 AM
Nice looking box.
woodshaver Tony C
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#4 posted 12-22-2019 11:50 AM
Nice looking box Ben at least he got it one way or another!
Merry Christmas!
-- St Augustine FL, Experience is the sum of our mistakes!
BusterB
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#5 posted 12-22-2019 05:41 PM
Thinking your friend will be pleased with this regardless of when he gets it. Fine job sir.
-- Buster, Ocoee TN (Critics are men who watch a battle from a high place then come down and shoot the survivors - Hemingway)
BenM
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72 posts in 1260 days
#6 posted 12-22-2019 08:05 PM
Thanks all for the kind comments all. Ive learned a lot already from looking at the projects and comments on LJ that came in handy on this one. Since I am still early on in setting up my shop, I find projects like this also really help show what shop upgrades are worth prioritizing. A crosscut sled and ZCI for bevel cuts will be next so I can rely on the table saw more.
Merry Chriatmas to you all, best of luck finishing any presents without too much stress!
-- -Ben, Fullerton, CA " It is not from ourselves that we learn to be better than we are." -Wendell Berry
BenM
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72 posts in 1260 days
#7 posted 12-22-2019 08:05 PM
Thanks all for the kind comments. Ive learned a lot already from looking at the projects and comments on LJ, many of which came in handy on this one. Since I am still early on in setting up my shop, I find projects like this also really help show what shop upgrades are worth prioritizing. A crosscut sled and ZCI for bevel cuts will be next so I can rely on the table saw more.
Merry Chriatmas to you all, best of luck finishing any last minute presents without too much stress!
-- -Ben, Fullerton, CA " It is not from ourselves that we learn to be better than we are." -Wendell Berry
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