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My oldest granddaughter just eloped and the women in our families are throwing a celebration shower. I had not made her a recipe box yet, but the ladies want to give her their favorite recipes and I was called on to supply the box.

Everything but the lid is made from the chestnut tree she climbed as a child that had to be taken down a few years ago. The lid is made from a veneer that I made from a nicely figured piece of maple firewood that my brother in law gave me.

I cut the sides so that the grain matches at all four corners. The splines are walnut that I got from my father's stash when he passed away. The bottom is a piece of myrtle wood (I think) also from my father's stash. So the box is a true family affair.

I'm particularly proud of the top as it was trimmings from a board that was used as a top for a larger box that I made a few years ago. It was pretty, but too thin to use for anything at the time. I had set it underneath another board to try and keep it flat. I had forgotten it but found it when looking for something special for the lid to this recipe box. I bought a little 10/20 drum sander last year and was able to sand this piece down to less than an 1/8th of an inch, then glued it to a piece of 1/4 inch plywood with a slightly less attractive piece of the same maple on the bottom. I really like the way it turned out.

I struggled with the finish, just like always. It's lacquer sprayed with the cheap Harbor Freight gun. I love the way the gun sprays compared to a rattle can, but I always sand through. I'll bet I spayed nearly a quart of lacquer before I quit sanding through. I used 400, 1000, 1500, 2000 and 2500 grit before polishing it with some Nu Finish Scratch Doctor. I'll wax it in a week or so.

It may not be the fanciest box I've made but all in all, I think this is best fitting, finished box I've made to date. It's my best work for one of my favorite granddaughters.

Thanks for looking at it.

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Comments

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Really a beauty! Job well done…

Fantastic looking wood, great finish….The work put in really paid off…
 

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Love the story behind the project. I like the clean lines and that each piece has a special meaning. Great looking finish!! Thanks for sharing.
 

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Totally outstanding. That wood grain is wonderful. It's sure to be a treasured momento for years to come.
 

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man that is damn sweet !!!
 

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Great work and story! Love the history behind the wood. the grain matching is spot on nice attention to the details!
 

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That is one mean looking box jj.
.... Everything but the lid is made from the chestnut tree she climbed as a child…
- jjoe
If they paid tribute to the tree I climbed as a child, it would have been burnt.
My oldest granddaughter just eloped…
- jjoe
Not putting it on the young lass, but a couple of McDonald's vouchers could be a handy addition to the box.
Even if just as a gag… (but we all may know better).
 

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Beautiful craftsmanship and the grains that pop out are outstanding. Very nice design, and the story makes it all the better. Great job.
 

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Great box and it contains a lot of memories besides recipes!!

Jim
 

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The continuous grain almost gives the impression it was fashioned out of a solid ingot of wood.
Very nice job.
 

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Really nice box!!!
 

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beautiful recipe box - It's sure bring up a memeory with every card pulled out
 

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Beautiful recipe box! I should try one. If I could make them half as good as yours, I have several granddaughters that would like one.
 

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Perfect joints and beautiful choice of wood. You really have a winner with this box, your granddaughter is going to treasure it for sure.

I just learned about shellac and you might want to give it a try if you haven't already. I've never used anything easier to use, especially on a box with no corners or edges. It dries very quickly and repair is easy if you sand through.

Don't let your grandkids see this post or they will find out who the favorite is. LOL
 

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Gorgeous box. Love the wood, and your workmanship is fantastic. I'm sure she'll love it, particularly because of the personal and historical touches.
 

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I just learned about shellac and you might want to give it a try if you haven t already. I ve never used anything easier to use, especially on a box with no corners or edges. It dries very quickly and repair is easy if you sand through.

I failed to mention that I sprayed several coats of shellac before spraying the lacquer, Somewhere I read that the shellac potentially "pops" figured grain. I don't think the problems are with the shellac or lacquer; I think the problem is with me and sandpaper… Although most people dislike sanding, I think I may go into "zen-mode" and the next thing that happens is the finish is on the table…
 

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I just learned about shellac and you might want to give it a try if you haven t already. I ve never used anything easier to use, especially on a box with no corners or edges. It dries very quickly and repair is easy if you sand through.

I failed to mention that I sprayed several coats of shellac before spraying the lacquer, Somewhere I read that the shellac potentially "pops" figured grain. I don t think the problems are with the shellac or lacquer; I think the problem is with me and sandpaper… Although most people dislike sanding, I think I may go into "zen-mode" and the next thing that happens is the finish is on the table…

- jjoe
 

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I just learned about shellac and you might want to give it a try if you haven t already. I ve never used anything easier to use, especially on a box with no corners or edges. It dries very quickly and repair is easy if you sand through.

I failed to mention that I sprayed several coats of shellac before spraying the lacquer, Somewhere I read that the shellac potentially "pops" figured grain. I don t think the problems are with the shellac or lacquer; I think the problem is with me and sandpaper… Although most people dislike sanding, I think I may go into "zen-mode" and the next thing that happens is the finish is on the table…

- jjoe
I don't know about shellac but I do know that lacquer will eat anything it's sprayed on if the first coat is TOO wet. A few dry coats of lacquer will seal up the previous finish then should be OK
 
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